The event “Connecting the Digital Transformation Ecosystem – Teachers and Students Accompanying Enterprises”, organized by the IDAP Project, has come to a close—leaving behind many unforgettable emotions. There was a sense of reluctance at parting, lingering handshakes, and above all, a powerful energy of determination to change: changing step by step, learning day by day, and patiently turning digital transformation into real success.
Two hundred delegates from Lao Cai, Son La, and Hanoi came together: more than 50 enterprises and cooperatives, hundreds of students, nearly 10 digital transformation service providers at local and national levels, and dozens of lecturers representing over eight universities, including the Banking Academy, USTH, Academy of Finance, University of Transport and Communications, Thuongmai University, and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Everyone met in a very real space—real needs, real challenges, real action.
The highlight of the program was the CHALLENGE: “Teachers and Students Accompany Enterprises in Digital Transformation.” Businesses brought unfinished problems to the table; lecturers, students, and technology experts sat together to experiment and implement solutions. This was no longer digital transformation on slides or in theory, but real doing—real testing—real selling, aiming for actual revenue and sustainable value for local enterprises.
Right at the event, solutions from ACMAN, BFD, and FCHAT were applied directly for both businesses and universities. Many enterprises enthusiastically tested new tools; many student teams entered a “learn while doing” mode; and the open hackathon generated its first orders in a very short time. This clearly demonstrated that when the ecosystem is connected in the right way, value can be created very quickly.
Upcoming TikTok livestream sessions at the Innovation Space of Vietnam National University, Hanoi; learning stories from Bat Trang—where tradition and technology blend naturally; and exchanges with artisans and local businesses all opened up a new perspective: digital transformation does not erase identity—it helps identity be told better and reach further.
The most touching moments came from very everyday stories. During a field visit, the Director of Muong Hoa Cooperative managed production remotely with just a smartphone—checking cameras, monitoring workshops, communicating, and coordinating work in real time. She also invited students to Muong Hoa Cooperative to experience beeswax painting tours, helping promote the cooperative’s products and services. Digital transformation here was not distant or abstract—it began with simple actions, yet created new management capacity, especially for women, highland communities, and vulnerable groups.
At the event, many business owners bravely shared their journeys. There were moments of trembling when standing before a crowd, but the stories were deeply sincere. Ms. Ma Thi Luyen spoke about the spirit of not fearing failure and not hesitating to learn; Ms. Cao Phuong Thao emphasized the necessity of continuous learning. These simple, honest reflections resonated strongly with students and other enterprises—because they reflected the true reality of entrepreneurship and transformation.
Lecturers also recognized a major opportunity. Dr. Tran Huy Tung noted that this was a chance for students to realize that businesses are not distant, but very close, with very real needs; and for businesses to clearly see how student resources can accompany them and create value when properly connected. Many universities proposed integrating the IDAP model into their institutions so students could regularly participate in activities that carry both academic value and strong human meaning.
From Ban Lien, Ban Khao, Ban Phu Mau, Ngoc Chien, and beyond, communities are continuing to write their own journeys of inclusive digital transformation. Not loudly, not ostentatiously—but persistently, humbly, and with pride.
On the bus rides from Son La and from Bac Ha – Bat Xat (Lao Cai) back to Hanoi, the spirit of learning spread through every conversation. “Travel one day, gain a basket of wisdom” was no longer just a saying—it became a vivid experience: learning how to make videos that generate orders, learning how to apply digital tools suited to mountainous conditions, learning how to move slowly but steadily. Dozens of enterprises generated revenue, with orders coming in regularly even during the learning journey. Check-ins were accompanied by posts. Under the ancient roofs of Bat Trang or within the dynamic spaces of Vietnam National University, online posts continued to bring in real orders for businesses.
IDAP believes that digital transformation is not a sprint—it is a long journey. In that journey, the ability to connect is also the ability to learn. If enterprises are patient and change step by step; if students commit themselves and learn from practice; if universities and service providers walk alongside them—then success will come, not immediately, but surely.
We look forward to meeting again on the next stages of the journey—where we will once again travel another day, gain another basket of wisdom, and together create digital transformation stories that are real, deeply human, and truly Vietnamese.
