Code Tour is not only a coding competition but also a platform that helps strengthen programming mindsets, connect tech communities, and create career opportunities for Vietnam’s next generation of programmers.
Vietnam has a very strong demand for high-quality talent in the information technology sector. In practice, however, opportunities for students to develop hands-on skills, compete in national or international environments, and connect with the broader community of technology experts remain limited. In this context, establishing a reputable academic platform that can nurture professional capability and inspire young people with a passion for programming is both timely and necessary.
In response to this need, the program aims to create a high-quality academic platform for students, helping them strengthen algorithmic thinking and improve their programming skills through a real competitive environment, while also fostering connections and expanding the young technology community. More broadly, the program pursues a mission to develop technological talent among Vietnam’s younger generation by helping participants build stronger thinking and coding skills, connect with like-minded peers and industry experts, and gain the capabilities needed to grow their future careers.
Launched in 2018, Code Tour began as a programming competition organised by VNG for young people across Vietnam who were passionate about algorithms. After six seasons and more than 8,000 participants, the program has continued to evolve and expand. Today, Code Tour is not only a coding competition but also a platform that helps strengthen programming mindsets, connect communities passionate about technology, and create valuable career development opportunities for Vietnam’s next generation of programmers.
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s emerging technology hubs. However, the training and development of students’ algorithmic skills still lack a practical, large-scale, and sufficiently rigorous competitive environment to support well-rounded growth. At the same time, there are both internal and external challenges, including the need to build an academic platform with enough scale to attract students nationwide, ensure the quality of problem sets, judges, and transparent professional processes, and strengthen collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, and the technology community. In this context, Code Tour plays an important role as a bridge between students, experts, and industry, helping prepare a high-quality young workforce for the digital economy.
Main solution:
Organise a multi-round programming competition series (Code Challenges), combined with training and mentoring from VNG experts and partner organisations.
Adopt a three-way collaboration model: universities, businesses, and students.
Value delivered:
For universities: strengthen student engagement by creating opportunities for connection, skills development, and critical thinking across multiple disciplines; enhance institutional branding through media coverage and feature stories on student development activities.
For school and university students, as well as young programmers: sharpen thinking by developing algorithmic reasoning and the essential skills required of programmers; expand networks through engagement with the technology community across Vietnam and access greater career development opportunities.
For VNG and the wider community: build brand and community by fostering a strong technology-loving community in Vietnam and extending its reach internationally; support and guide students in their career development in line with the mission of “Developing People”.
Core approach:
A multi-stakeholder, people-centred approach that connects businesses, educational institutions, and the broader community. In 2025, Code Tour aims to become an effective platform linking industry, universities, and school and university students in the technology sector, with co-organisation support from leading institutions such as Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. The program seeks to nurture a passion for technology, strengthen the connection between education and real-world practice, and broaden career development opportunities for younger generations.
Key activities delivered:
- Monthly Code Challenge rounds, from the opening stage through to the grand final
- Seminars and workshops for knowledge sharing and experience exchange
- A mentor network of more than 20 technology experts
Tools, platforms, and innovations applied:
An online programming contest system and automated evaluation tools.
Long-term vision:
To become the leading technology competition for university students in Vietnam, with the ambition of expanding across Southeast Asia.
Commitment to growth and sustainability:
Continue working alongside universities, technology communities, and businesses to nurture the next generation of programmers.
Key timeline
- 4 October: Qualifying Round 1
- 11 October: Qualifying Round 2
- 18 October: Qualifying Round 3
→ Top contestants advance - 25 October: Grand Final
Prize structure
Qualifying round prizes
|
Prize |
Number of prizes per round |
VNU-HCM Division (Value per prize) |
Open Division (Value per prize) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First Prize |
1 |
VND 3,000,000 |
VND 1,500,000 |
|
Second Prize |
1 |
VND 2,000,000 |
VND 1,000,000 |
|
Third Prize |
1 |
VND 1,000,000 |
VND 500,000 |
|
Consolation Prize |
2 |
VND 600,000 |
VND 300,000 |
Grand Final prizes
|
Prize |
Number of prizes per round |
Value |
|---|---|---|
|
First Prize |
1 |
VND 10,000,000 |
|
Second Prize |
1 |
VND 7,000,000 |
|
Third Prize |
1 |
VND 5,000,000 |
|
Consolation Prize |
7 |
VND 2,000,000 |
Geographical scope
The program is open to high school students, university students, and programmers with up to two years of experience, aged 15 to 24, across Vietnam.
Budget or sponsorship commitment
VNG is the principal sponsor, working in partnership with universities and other program partners.
Social impact:
- Established a technology community of more than 3,000 members
- Over 8,200 students have participated in competitions
- Contributed to enhancing the standing of academic competitions in Vietnam
Economic impact:
- Created a strong pipeline of high-quality candidates for technology companies
- Strengthened collaboration between universities and industry in workforce development
Key milestones:
- 6 years of operation
- More than 20 technology experts involved
- Over 15 professional partners (universities and technology organisations)
Scalability:
The model has strong potential to scale into a regional platform across ASEAN.
Transferable success factors:
A combined model of competition, training, and community engagement that can be applied to other regions or industries.
Knowledge sharing and outreach strategy:
- Organising workshops and talkshows at universities
- Integrating outcomes and insights into curricula and case studies
- Collaborating on communications through media, social platforms, and technology communities
Case Ownership
Hosting Organisation: VNG Group
Collaborating Partners:
- Over 15 universities across Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City and its member and partner institutions co-organising each season
- More than 20 technology experts involved in mentoring, workshops, and professional advisory
- Technology organisations, communities, and professional partners supporting and accompanying the program
Stakeholders and beneficiaries:
- High school students, university students, and young programmers aged 15–24
- IT students and multidisciplinary students interested in programming and algorithms
- Universities participating in organising and developing student capabilities
- Technology companies seeking high-quality young talent
- The Vietnamese tech community, through connection, knowledge sharing, and the development of a digital talent ecosystem
Source: VNG (external link)
The copyright and legality of the images, videos, information, and data regarding this project, as published on this landing page (project information page), are provided and held responsible for by the individuals/organisations collaborating with RMIT University Vietnam.
Specific SDG targets
SDG 4.3
Ensure equal access for all to affordable and quality vocational education and tertiary education.
SDG 4.4
Substantially increase the number of young people and adults with relevant skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.
SDG 4.7
Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
SDG 8.5
Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people.
SDG 8.6
Substantially reduce the proportion of young people not in employment, education, or training.
SDG 9.5
Enhance scientific research and upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
