Sasin Connect+ Executive MBA Cohort 2024 Explores Innovation, AI, and Entrepreneurship in Hanoi Residential

The Sasin Connect+ Executive MBA Cohort 2024 continued its third residential in Hanoi, Vietnam, gaining immersive insights into the country’s dynamic innovation landscape, fast-growing technology ecosystem, and emerging role in the regional digital economy. Throughout the Hanoi Residential, students explored innovation signals in a fast-growing market, ecosystem dynamics, Vietnam’s IT systems, and design culture through the Hanoi Street Systems Walk. They also deepened their learning through hands-on sessions in design thinking, systems thinking, market testing, and leadership innovation frameworks. A key highlight of the residential was an inspiring Founders Panel featuring leading Vietnamese entrepreneurs: Brian Trinh, Co-Founder of Base.vn and Rework; Lam, Founder & CEO of Sari.vn and Vua Nhà Trọ; Thanh Tung, Founder & CEO of Soluta; and Erik Le, Founder & CEO of Twendee Software. Drawing from their entrepreneurial journeys, the founders shared practical insights on turning ideas into traction, securing funding, building high-performing teams, and navigating the realities of scaling a venture. Students also visited the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), the country’s national hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The visit offered insights into Vietnam’s growing innovation ecosystem, highlighting the role of government policy, public–private collaboration, young talent, speed, and agility in driving the country’s digital economy and long-term competitiveness. The residential continued with visits to leading technology organizations, including OmiGroup (Omicare), one of Vietnam’s leading digital healthcare groups. Students gained insights into scaling technology businesses across international markets, leading innovation in a highly regulated industry, applying AI in healthcare transformation, and moving from idea to MVP to iteration through design and systems thinking. At Savvycom, one of Vietnam’s leading international digital technology companies, students explored how AI is reshaping business strategy and enterprise operations. The session also highlighted digital transformation, innovation leadership, Vietnam’s growing technology ecosystem, and the application of systems thinking, rapid iteration, and hypothesis-driven observation to real business challenges. During the final stage of the Hanoi Residential, students built AI-enabled prototypes and pitched their venture concepts at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST). The program also featured an Investors Panel with Erik Duong, Founder of Web3X Investment Fund and CGZ Venture, who shared an investor’s perspective on what separates a fundable venture from a good idea, drawing on his experience in digital transformation, innovation management, AI, and blockchain. The residential continued with feedback sessions from HUST’s program instructor, a Vietnamese investor, a founder, and an executive coach, followed by a leadership debrief where students reflected on who they are as leaders. Through this immersive Hanoi Residential, Sasin Connect+ Executive MBA students strengthened their understanding of innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, and leadership in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets, while connecting classroom learning with real-world business transformation.