When the clock begins its 24-hour countdown for the Hackathon round, Vietnam Datathon – DataStorm 2025 is no longer just an academic competition—it becomes a real-world training ground for the next generation. This is the moment when the boundary between the classroom and the job market begins to blur, where every contestant must step out of their comfort zone to confront intense data challenges.
Through the passionate insights shared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Anh Cường (Ton Duc Thang University) and Mr. Hoàng Văn Cương (Saigon Business School) at the opening ceremony, the true scale of this professional arena becomes clear. Here, professional thinking goes beyond theory and is forged under time pressure and real business conditions, empowering students to affirm their value while still in school.
1. Breakthrough Thinking: From “Pure Technical Skills” to the “Art of Creating Value”
One of the most impactful messages shared by Mr. Hoàng Văn Cương at the opening ceremony was the redefinition of the data professional’s role. He emphasized:
“What truly matters is not how many lines of code you write, but how you turn data into arguments and models into value.”
MSc. Hoàng Văn Cương – Managing Director, Saigon Business School.
This represents a significant shift in mindset: instead of training “coding machines” that only process algorithms, the competition aims to shape professionals with strong Data Storytelling skills—using data to tell compelling stories.
As Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Anh Cường shared, contestants must use the “language of data” to persuade the judging panel. This transforms dry numbers into a dynamic resource—one that can guide business decisions and create meaningful social impact.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Anh Cường – Acting Head of the Faculty of IT, Ton Duc Thang University
2. The “Three-Pillar” Philosophy and the Answer to the Real-World Gap
The concern about the gap between education and reality was clearly articulated by the SBS representative:
“The biggest gap is not between students and technology, but between academia and market demands.”
To address this “bottleneck,” DataStorm 2025 established a solid three-pillar model: Academics – Application – Industry Connection.
With the philosophy of “Real Data – Real Problems,” the competition pushes students beyond the perfect sample datasets found in textbooks and into the complexity and chaos of real business data. This is no longer just an exam—it is a “true capability testing ground,” where the 24-hour Hackathon pressure becomes an environment that forges decision-making skills and teamwork under intense conditions.
During 24 continuous hours, teams must complete the full lifecycle of a data project—from data cleaning, analysis, and modeling to solution presentation. They are required to master two essential qualities:
- Prioritization: With limited time, contestants must learn to let go of secondary details and focus on core value. This is exactly the “prioritization” skill every company is looking for.
- Energy management: Working through the night demands physical endurance and mental sharpness to avoid critical mistakes in the final lines of code.
Unlike classroom exercises where data is already refined, the 24-hour Hackathon places students in front of real-world Sport and Business datasets—often messy, incomplete, and challenging.
An AI model may be technically brilliant, but if it cannot be applied to real business problems, it will be eliminated. The Hackathon forces students to constantly ask themselves: “Does this solution truly solve a company’s pain point?”
3. A Large-Scale Platform Creating Opportunities for International Students
With the participation of 134 teams from 44 prestigious universities nationwide, along with international students, DataStorm 2025 has demonstrated the stature of a truly large-scale competition.
This year’s competition also expands its platform to international students from various universities, creating a dynamic environment of exchange and competition. The presence of multinational participants not only raises the level of challenge but also allows the Organizing Committee to identify outstanding young talents. As a result, students—regardless of where they come from—share equal opportunities to showcase their capabilities, learn from one another, and affirm their value within a community passionate about technology and data.
4. Insight to Impact
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Anh Cường summarized the competition’s strategy through a powerful trio:
- Data is a strategic resource.
- AI technology is a core capability.
- Creativity is the driving force.
The message “From Insight to Impact” is the Organizing Committee’s commitment. The competition does not end after the final night; it is a “launchpad” for promising ideas to become real-world projects, opening wide career opportunities for students. The ultimate outcome is not just awards, but the real impacts they can create for businesses and the community.
Through the lens of experts, this is a journey of self-redefinition for students—from those who merely “approach” technology to those who truly “master” data. With systematic investment and strategic vision, the competition is set to become a starting point for breakthrough ideas, contributing to the development of a high-quality workforce in Data Science and AI in Vietnam and the region.
