THE HANOI TIMES — Students from Chu Van An High School for the Gifted secured the top prize at the national Startup Arena 2025 competition on January 18, with a groundbreaking sustainable fashion project tailored for Generation Z.
Five students from Chu Van An High School for the Gifted in Hanoi claim first prize at the national Startup Arena 2025 competition. Photo: Nam Du/The Hanoi Times.
Team member Pham Tram Anh shared that the project was inspired by the alarming rise of “fast fashion” and the increasing tendency among youth to frequently buy, discard, and replace clothing, exacerbating fashion waste.
Addressing this issue, the students devised a green lifestyle solution centered around a digital platform enabling users to exchange, resell, and repurpose pre-owned clothing.
A key innovation of the project is its integration of artificial intelligence, which suggests stylish outfit combinations from existing wardrobes, thereby extending garment lifespans and minimizing environmental impact.
“Post-competition, our goal is to transform this concept into a functional website or mobile app, gradually introducing it to the market to promote sustainable consumption among young people,” Anh stated.
The second prize was awarded to a team from Ung Hoa A High School for their project that upcycles spent coffee grounds into exfoliating soap.
Judges commended the initiative as a practical and environmentally impactful solution, highlighting its ability to repurpose waste while delivering tangible benefits. The project has garnered positive feedback and is viewed as a promising green startup model.
Startup Arena 2025 focused on two critical themes: “Clean living” and “Civility and security on social media.”
Through these themes, organizers aimed to inspire students to embrace entrepreneurship while fostering sustainable community and social development.
In its debut year, the competition attracted 490 students from 63 high schools nationwide.
A total of 46 projects were presented, covering areas such as clean living, environmental protection, and the promotion of a safe and civilized online environment, with seven teams advancing to the final round.
During the finals, Nguyen Thi Thu Anh, a member of the National Council for Education and Human Resource Development, lauded the high caliber and enthusiasm of the participating teams.
She noted that the projects were grounded in real-world challenges, demonstrating students’ ability to observe societal issues, identify contemporary problems, and propose viable, solution-driven innovations.
Anh further emphasized that these qualities embody essential 21st-century competencies, including creative thinking, collaboration, social responsibility, and a commitment to the greater good.
According to the education specialist, Startup Arena 2025 serves as a platform for students to build confidence, refine skills, and further develop entrepreneurial ideas in the future.
The competition also underscored the pivotal role of education in cultivating capable, responsible young individuals prepared to contribute to sustainable social development.
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