‘Cơm Nhà Nha’ (meaning: Family Meals) was a mobile app designed to connect students living far from home with freelance chefs—housewives or domestic workers—to provide delicious Vietnamese family meals that were both nourishing and affordable. The ‘Cơm Nhà Nha’ project had two missions: to improve the health of Vietnamese students through accessible home-cooked meals and to support Vietnamese women on their journey towards financial independence and empowerment.

The project was conceptualised by a group of students from the VNUHCM-University of Science (Nguyễn Trần Anh Duy, Nguyễn Hồng Tấn, Lê Hoàng Sang from the Faculty of Information Technology) and Fulbright University, Viet Nam (Lê Trần Hải Yến). They excelled in the competition, winning First Prize and the “Most Favourite Project” award in the final round. As a result, the ‘CƠM NHÀ NHA’ project received a reward of VND 50 million and a one-year incubation package at the Software Technology Park of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (ITP) valued at VND 100 million, along with a study tour package to Singapore or Korea.

The Creative Idea Challenge – CIC 2022 was an annual startup competition held by Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) for students both nationally and internationally. The contest formed part of VNUHCM’s broader initiative to foster startup programmes, a strategic effort that contributed actively to the development of the highly innovative Thu Duc City.

This year, the contest attracted over 300 ideas, creative solutions, and startup projects from various universities, colleges, and schools. According to statistics from the organisers, CIC 2022 saw participation from more than 700 candidates representing 215 institutions nationwide, reaching over 705,000 students. Contestants underwent training for more than seven months with experts in entrepreneurship and innovation. After four rounds of competition, CIC selected the 21 best projects from two groups of students for the final round.