Past TEDx event

TEDxFTU

Took placeMay 31, 2026
LocationHo Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
FormatUniversity
TEDxFTU is the independently organized TEDx event at the Ho Chi Minh City campus of Foreign Trade University (FTU HCMC), operating under license from TED to spread "Ideas Worth Spreading", now "Ideas Change Everything", among Vietnamese youth. Its roots trace back to 2012, when it began as TEDxYouth@DienBienPhuSt, organized by the university's Business & English Club (BEC). Over more than a decade of seasons, TEDxFTU has grown into one of the most established and well-known TEDx platforms among Vietnamese universities, bringing together speakers from a wide range of fields - arts, business, science, activism - to share ideas that spark reflection and connection among young audiences across Ho Chi Minh City and beyond. ------ This year's theme: "THE STILL F/LMSHOT" - "Meaningful Shots On The Spot" In an uncertain world, the pressure to be efficient has become the measure of everything, pushing people to constantly speed up just to keep pace with change. But when every experience is filtered through the lens of optimization, something is lost: our connection to what actually makes life meaningful. TEDxFTU 2026 pushes back against that pressure. We borrow the imagery of a film camera, a tool built around stillness, patience, and intention, as a symbol of a different way to exist. Just as a photographer must slow down, observe, and be fully present to capture a meaningful shot on film, the theme invites people to step outside the relentless drive for performance and reconnect with sincerity, presence, and human value. The ultimate goal of existing, the theme argues, isn't just to be efficient, it's to live meaningfully. As the film roll loads, this year's guiding companion through the scheme of "Kẻ Khắc Ảnh" (The Film Carver), begins their journey alongside the audience, framing the event's talks as a series of carefully composed, meaningful "shots" of insight and connection.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Dương Đỗ

    Founder & Creative Director @ Toong & GốcCreation | Brand Strategist

    Founder of Toong (2015), Vietnam's pioneering co-working chain (~20 locations), where as creative director Mr. Duong Do redefined the office market with innovative models and distinctive design. Holding a Master's in Finance, he's spent over a decade proving an "outsider's" instinct can create outsized impact - shaping real estate, media/branding (Vietjet Air, Ecopark, PVcomBank), and art, including Songlab, Vietnam's first digital art space, and events like Reinvent Saigon Week.

  • Hoàng Ngân

    Strategic Advisor at Techcombank

    Strategic Advisor and Brand Management & Development Manager at Techcombank, with 15 years leading iconic brands including Unilever, L'Oréal, and Abbott. Ms. Hoang Ngan has driven sales growth of 5-14x through omnichannel marketing strategies and earned honors like Abbott Gold Level 3 and Best Product Launch at L'Oréal Vietnam. Viewing data as only the surface layer, she believes true strategy begins with empathy, understanding the human psychology and identity behind every algorithm.

  • Kim Tuyến

    Meritorious Artist | Actress

    Meritorious Artist (NSƯT, 2024) with over two decades on stage and screen, known for emotionally rich performances. A Film Directing graduate from HCMC University of Theatre and Cinema (2022), Ms. Kim Tuyen built a career spanning acting, modeling, and judging short film competitions. Notable roles include Chuyện Tình Đảo Ngọc, Tuổi Thanh Xuân, and Mộng Phù Hoa. Three-time Cánh Diều Vàng winner and two-time Ngôi Sao Xanh Best Actress honoree.

  • Kim Phấn Đinh Thị

    Educator

    With nearly half a century in education and 17 years devoted to teaching children with cancer, Mrs. Kim Phan has guided over 1,000 pediatric patients on their journey to literacy. Her work embodies compassion, patience, and the humanistic heart of teaching, choosing to slow down and give love unconditionally amid a fast-paced world. Recognized as a Top 5 Inspirational Ambassador at the WeChoice Awards 2025 for her tireless, quiet dedication to community.

  • Lan Nguyên

    Independent, Documentary Filmmaker & Director

    Self-taught in cinema after studying architecture and working as a TV journalist, Ms. Lan Nguyen has spent a decade shaping Vietnam's music-documentary scene. Her acclaimed Màu Cỏ Úa (2020), a five-year portrait of musician Trần Tiến, screened theatrically in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; Những Vết Thương Lành (2023) released exclusively on Netflix Southeast Asia; and Chân Trời Rực Rỡ (2025) went nationwide, both later screened at Harvard University.

Organizing team