The widespread impact of startup competitions

QTO - More than just platforms for interaction and experience, the startup competitions launched by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels are increasingly affirming their role as a solid "launching pad" for the youth of Quang Tri. Through these competitions, many young people have emerged who dare to think, dare to act, and boldly develop the economy right in their hometown; thereby spreading the movement of self-reliance and entrepreneurship widely among the youth throughout the province.

"Doong Bui Homestay" is a project conceived by Ho Thi Thiet (born in 2002) from Huong Phung commune, along with her colleagues, and presented to the 2026 Rural Youth Startup Project competition organized by the Central Youth Union.

Sharing his idea, Thiet said: “The idea for this project originated from our desire to introduce more of the pristine and majestic beauty of our homeland to friends and tourists from near and far. We chose the community-based tourism model with the goal of transforming the landscape and local identity into assets, elevating Huong Phung on the tourism map. In addition, we also hope to build an ecosystem where each local resident is both a beneficiary and a cultural ambassador.”

Through the "Doong Bui Homestay" project, the young Bru-Van Kieu woman and her colleagues not only aim to organize simple tours but also to allow visitors to directly immerse themselves in the daily life of the Bru-Van Kieu people through practical experiences such as: enjoying local cuisine and agricultural specialties, learning about traditional Van Kieu clothing, making handicrafts, or listening to the melodies of the Ta Lu instrument. The practicality and economic potential of Thiet's project have earned her high praise.

“The startup playgrounds organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels are the ‘lever,’ the ‘inspiration’ that encourages young people like me to boldly step out of our comfort zone to develop the economy in our homeland. ‘Doong Bui Homestay’ was built from national pride and the pioneering spirit of the youth of Quang Tri. The results from this competition give us great motivation to continue improving and soon realize this model,” Thiet said.

Bru-Van Kieu girl Ho Thi Thiet (on the left) always hopes to introduce the unique culture of her ethnic group to tourists from near and far - Photo: TP

Compared to Ho Thi Thiet, Phan Thanh Son (born in 1993), from Phap Ke village, Quang Trach commune, had the opportunity to participate in many startup competitions launched by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels. At the 3rd Quang Binh Province Creative Startup Competition in 2025, his project "Natural straws from lotus plants - Thanh Son Lotus" quickly made a strong impression on the judges.

According to Mr. Son, Quang Tri has a fairly large area for lotus cultivation, but most of the lotus stems and stalks after harvesting are not effectively utilized. Recognizing the potential of this readily available local resource, he came up with the idea of ​​using lotus stems, especially the white Quan Am lotus variety with few thorns, to produce 100% natural biodegradable straws that decompose within 30-60 days. With a trial scale of approximately 10,000 straws per month, the project has reasonable production costs, competitive selling prices, and the potential for expansion once the market stabilizes.

The project is not only economically significant but also creates social value, raising community awareness about reducing plastic waste, promoting green consumption, and protecting the environment.

Following his success at the provincial competition, Mr. Son continued to bring his project "Sen Biotech - applying technology in processing lotus essential oil and distilled water" to the 2026 Rural Youth Startup Project Competition, which was highly appreciated by the judges.

"Each startup playground gives me experience and energy to constantly innovate. These playgrounds not only create economic value from simple, familiar things in life but also spread the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship to many young people in the province," said Son.

It can be affirmed that the widespread impact of startup competitions organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels in recent times has created a new face for the youth movement. These competitions are not only a gathering place for the aspirations and intellect of young people, but also a driving force promoting innovation and creativity, spreading widely among union members and young people throughout the province. This encourages young people to not be afraid of challenges, to dare to think differently, to do things differently, and to bravely break out of their comfort zones to bring about high-quality projects with rich community value.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and President of the Vietnam Youth Union in the province, the greatest success of the startup initiatives in recent times is the significant improvement in the practicality of the projects. Many models have proactively moved beyond the idea stage, breaking away from "paper projects" to create prototypes, generate revenue, find partners, and secure stable markets.

“In the era of globalization and deep international integration, innovative entrepreneurship is the driving force and core resource for promoting socio-economic development. Although we know that the journey of establishing oneself and one's career is never easy for young people, with the solid foundation provided by these competitions, we expect that youth union members in the province will continue to bravely face challenges and boldly realize new economic models. From there, they will make a positive contribution to the socio-economic development of the locality,” Mr. Toan said.

Truc Phuong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202606/suc-lan-toa-tu-nhung-cuoc-thi-khoi-nghiep-ca66b60/