The “yesterday” versions of Đỗ Phan Trường An (Grade 10 Edmonton) and Phạm Nguyễn Hoàng Lan (Grade 11 Orlando) might have been shy students, tucked safely in their comfort zones and temporarily content with the high school path their parents had chosen. But after just over a year of studying at The Dewey Schools, thanks to their innate potential and the encouragement of teachers and peers, the “Trường An and Hoàng Lan of today” have risen to excellence. They surpassed over 250 domestic and international teams to win Second Prize at the Vietnam Business Innovation Challenge (VBIC) 2025—along with a prestigious reward: a 50% scholarship from Fulbright University Vietnam for their remarkable runner-up performance.
Creating value from tradition with VBIC 2025
VBIC is a competition that challenges high school students across Vietnam and Southeast Asia to apply creative and innovative thinking in business. Organized by Fulbright University Vietnam in partnership with reputable educational organizations, this year’s competition was themed “Innovation from Tradition.” It not only tested business acumen but also called for participants to fuse creativity with local cultural values—crucial elements for sustainable success in any market.
Teaming up with a student from The Olympia Schools, Trường An and Hoàng Lan embarked on a two-month journey filled with challenges, workshops, and real-world experiences. Their learning extended from early mornings to late nights—ranging from classrooms and Zoom calls to hands-on visits at Vinamilk’s high-tech factories, the competition’s key corporate partner.
In the final round held last weekend, the two TDSers were tasked with crafting a strategy to market Vinamilk’s Green Farm product line to Gen Z (ages 15–25). With only four hours to brainstorm ideas, design slides, and prepare their pitch—and being the first team to present—they impressed the judges with bold thinking and innovative solutions. Their standout proposals included QR code integration on packaging for transparent milk production tracking, and Milk vending machines that also collect used packaging for recycling, helping to create a green consumer ecosystem.
Judge Nguyễn Bùi Lê Huy, Northern Representative of Fulbright University Vietnam, praised their confident English presentation and sharp business insight: “The students’ strategy not only addressed the consumer’s need for transparency and trust but also tackled the enterprise’s goal of brand enhancement and sustainable development. Their market research and competitor analysis were meticulous and heartfelt. What astonished the judges most was that this level of quality came from students who had just started high school. We’re proud to award them two 50% scholarships to help them confidently apply to join the Fulbright University community.”
University doors opened by the spirit of “Tough game? Count us in!”
Gaining early admission into university as a freshman in high school is a feat few students even dare to dream of. But with a fearless “think big, act bold” mindset and a readiness to seize opportunities, Trường An and Hoàng Lan dove into this competition with a strong sense of responsibility and determination. Once hesitant to talk to strangers, Trường An now proactively visits supermarkets to survey prices and interviews customers to grasp consumer trends. And the once-nervous Hoàng Lan—who used to sweat at the thought of public speaking—is now confidently debating in English alongside her team throughout each round of the competition.
Throughout their journey, the duo was deeply grateful for the guidance of experienced mentors, including professors, researchers, and academic managers from Harvard University and Fulbright University, and executives from leading Vietnamese companies.
Mr. Nguyễn Trọng Tùng, their accompanying teacher, shared, “I’m proud that TDS students always embrace new challenges with a strong learning spirit. But what brings me even more joy is seeing that both Trường An and Hoàng Lan value the bigger takeaways from this experience—learning from other teams, meeting mentors, and connecting with top industry experts. The first thing they did after being announced as winners was to thank their teammates for standing strong together and extend their gratitude to the other teams for making the whole journey so meaningful.”
Their journey doesn’t stop at competitions. As active members of the Dewey Scholarship Hunting Club and Business Club, Trường An and Hoàng Lan now aim to unite these two communities—spreading a spirit of daring and igniting a passion for entrepreneurship among fellow students.
As the inspiring Hoàng Lan puts it, “The harder the game, the more worth playing.” These young TDSers have already shown boldness, confidence, and a readiness to embrace challenges. Let’s hope their fire continues to burn bright, lighting the way for others and carrying them ever closer to their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs of the future.
