The program welcomed Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology; Ms. Le Thi Be Ba - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center; Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet - Vice Rector of Thu Dau Mot University; and Mr. Kim Joung Tae - CEO of a Korean company. Also in attendance were more than 400 delegates, faculty members, and students from 12 Korean universities, along with a large number of students from Thu Dau Mot University.
INNOSTAR 2026, themed "Applying Science and Technology to Business in the Digital Age," targets students passionate about innovation who aspire to develop their ideas into viable real-world projects. The competition welcomes projects across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, tourism, high-tech agriculture, the environment, and e-commerce - areas closely aligned with Ho Chi Minh City's development needs and the growing trend of applying science and technology in business. After more than three months since its launch, the preliminary round attracted 112 projects involving 488 students from 32 universities. Sixty projects from 26 institutions were selected for the semi-final round. Following the second semi-final stage, 10 outstanding Vietnamese projects will advance to the final round to compete against teams from South Korea, while 20 additional projects will move on to compete for the Special Prize.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology - noted that the city is collaborating with Korean partners in artificial intelligence, big data, semiconductors, smart cities, and is rolling out multiple programs to connect the startup ecosystems of both countries, such as INNOSTAR, Venture Star, and HCMC K-Brand Expo. These efforts align with the "Program to Support Students in Entrepreneurship for the 2026-2035 Period," approved under Decision No. 336/QD-TTg dated February 25, 2026, which emphasizes strengthening ties between universities, businesses, and the startup ecosystem while expanding international cooperation. In that spirit, Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen emphasized that INNOSTAR 2026 is not merely about identifying promising projects - it also gives Vietnamese and Korean students the chance to present their ideas together, exchange perspectives, engage in debate, and learn from one another. These experiences help participants gain valuable insights, fresh viewpoints, friendships, and relationships that could evolve into future collaborations. The "A Piece of Vietnam" program was organized to foster cultural exchange between students from both nations, helping them better understand the land, people, and cultures of Vietnam and Korea, thereby nurturing friendship and laying the groundwork for cooperation in education, science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the significance of cultural exchange, Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet - Vice Rector of Thu Dau Mot University - stressed that "culture is not just something to be aware of - it is a bridge that builds lasting friendships and sustainable partnerships." According to Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet, in an era of digital transformation and international integration, mutual understanding and respect for each other's cultural identities form the foundation for building trust, which in turn opens doors for broader cooperation in education, scientific research, and innovation. For Thu Dau Mot University, international exchange activities not only help students sharpen their intercultural communication skills and expand their networks but also expose them to diverse learning, research, and startup environments. Through these efforts, the university continues to deepen its international integration and expand partnerships with Korean universities, organizations, and businesses. Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet expressed hope that exchange activities like "A Piece of Vietnam" would help strengthen the friendship between Vietnamese and Korean students while setting the stage for Thu Dau Mot University to further broaden its collaboration with Korean universities and partners in the near future.
During the program, cultural exchange unfolded through a variety of engaging activities with enthusiastic participation from students of both countries. Students from Thu Dau Mot University introduced Vietnamese culture through contemporary dance performances and a choral piece featuring Vietnamese folk influences. A modern dance number blending K-Pop elements created a musical and cultural crossover between Vietnamese and Korean students. Through the traditional bamboo dance game, students from both nations had further opportunities to interact and discover a distinctive aspect of Vietnamese heritage. A Q&A session featuring questions about the culture, land, and people of Vietnam and Korea sparked direct conversations among the participants. Through these activities, students from both countries shared their knowledge and experiences of each nation's culture, helping to deepen understanding and strengthen the bond between the younger generations of Vietnam and South Korea.