UEH BizTech Hackathon 2025: Fostering Vietnam’s Identity Through the Creative Flow of Gen Z

August 6, 2025 – On August 1–2, 2025, the UEH BizTech Hackathon 2025, hosted by the School of Technology and Design at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), successfully concluded its final round. Under the theme “The Z-Flow: Fostering Vietnam’s Values by the Z Generation,” this intensive 28-hour innovation marathon showcased how Generation Z can merge cultural heritage, creative thinking, and technology into impactful solutions.

The Z-Flow: Where Culture Meets Innovation

The theme “The Z-Flow” embodies the dynamic energy and forward thinking of Gen Z, spotlighting the dual role of preserving Vietnam’s cultural identity while pioneering new directions in the digital era. The competition invited participants to become entrepreneurs of culture, interpreting traditional values through modern technological lenses. 

Scale, Participation, and Selectivity

From the outset, the hackathon drew considerable interest: 323 registrations from 28 domestic universities and 4 international institutions, spanning over 67 academic majors. Following a rigorous selection process, 31 teams, comprising 150 students (including 9 international participants), were chosen to compete in the final stage. 

During the final, participants embarked on a relentless 28-hour development period, grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration, under the guidance of 13 expert mentors and within 92 mentoring sessions. The event also featured six intensive workshops covering topics such as Design Thinking & User-Centric Innovation, AI Filmmaking, Storytelling & Engagement, Interactive Visual Art, Culture & Heritage, and AI & Business Creation. Complementing the hackathon, field experiences (e.g. visits to the Ao Dai Museum, dialogues with artisans) enriched participants’ perspectives on heritage.

Technologies, Solutions & Final Awards

Throughout the 28-hour period, teams deployed advanced technologies—including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Digital Twin, and human–machine interaction—to conceptualize solutions that bridge culture and generation Z. Their outputs emphasized immersive experiences, interactivity, personalization, and strong cultural resonance.

After navigating to the Pitching Final, 11 top teams presented their solutions before a distinguished panel of judges drawn from education, technology, design, and cultural sectors. The judging criteria prioritized innovative impact, practical feasibility, cultural depth, and scalability. 

• Champion: Heritech
  
  

• Runner-up: UEHCMUT
  
  

• Third Place (tie): Wecare Formo & Fusion X
  
  

• Consolation awards: Moonshot, Bộ Tứ Báo Thủ, YG, Genius, BTS, Cultural.exe, Về Nhà Ăn Cơm
  
  

• Special Awards: Z-iconic (best recap video), Z-bee (most diligent team), Đa-Z-năng (most versatile team)
  
  

Educational Significance & Strategic Directions

In the closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trịnh Thùy Anh, Vice Rector of UEH’s School of Technology and Design, emphasized that this year’s theme — Cultural Heritage — resonates deeply with the responsibility Gen Z now holds. She affirmed that participants demonstrated youthful insight and technological vision in making heritage more accessible to modern audiences.

UEH BiosTech Hackathon 2025 reaffirmed the university’s guiding motto: “Think Global, Act Local.” The event underscores UEH’s mission to cultivate globally aware citizens who appreciate their heritage, leverage technology, and apply innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup thinking to shape a sustainable, creative future.