Hoang Long, an International Baccalaureate (IB) student at BIS, has a passion for economics and science. Beyond academics, Long chose to broaden his experience by founding and managing various social projects, including the Global Innovators Hub (GIH) club. This incubator for high school students allows young people to research, develop ideas, and turn them into action.
Beyond the club, Long founded two social projects: Eco-Stall and ToyJoy. With Eco-Stall, Long and his colleagues researched environmentally friendly materials to create mobile vending carts, aligning with the ESG green transition trend.
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Long at the United Nations headquarters. Photo: Provided by the subject |
Long at the United Nations headquarters. Photo: Provided by the subject
This project not only won first prize in an innovation competition organized by the Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK) in 2023 but has also been implemented in Ho Chi Minh City with three Eco-Stalls partnering with local restaurants. All profits and donations support those in need.
Meanwhile, ToyJoy was born from the belief that every child deserves to play with quality toys. With the slogan "Sharing Toy, Sharing Joy", the project donates toys and successfully raised 180 million VND for the Heart Surgery Fund of Children's Hospital 2.
"I'm most proud to see seemingly discarded items bring joy and hope to other children," Long shared.
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Long working on the ToyJoy project. Photo: Provided by the subject |
Long working on the ToyJoy project. Photo: Provided by the subject
From these community projects, Long gradually stepped onto the international stage. In 2023, he won first prize at the VNUK summer camp. A judge saw the potential of Eco-Stall and invited Long to the 2023 Global Goals Week to present the project. This was a turning point, giving him access to international platforms and expanding his network.
Long then participated in the 10-week UNITAR Asia-Pacific Youth Ambassador program, refining his ideas and presenting them at UNITAR Pitch Day 2023. His idea was nominated for the 2024 Summit of the Future (SOTF 2024). After several rounds of selection with over 2,000 applicants, he became one of two representatives from Vietnam to participate.
At the United Nations headquarters, Long participated in a discussion on "Intergenerational Solidarity." He shared how youth-led initiatives can create a lasting impact when combined with the experience of previous generations, citing Eco-Stall and GIH as examples.
"After my speech, I actively exchanged ideas with scholars and international organizations, including the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, UNDP, UNESCO, and UNITAR. I had the opportunity to expand my network and develop GIH in more countries," Long recounted.
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Long (center) at the United Nations Summit. Photo: Provided by the subject |
Long (center) at the United Nations Summit. Photo: Provided by the subject
His presentation at SOTF 2024 impressed many delegates. William T. Harris, CEO of the Houston Space Center, expressed interest and suggested potential investment connections in Vietnam, opening new development avenues for Long's applied science projects.
Currently, the 16-year-old is focusing on his final year of the IB program while nurturing a new project called Aquaneer Vietnam. This research on water filtration technology uses chitosan, a biopolymer extracted from shrimp shells. The project helped Long and his team win the 2025 Conrad Challenge, opening prospects for practical application in water treatment in Vietnam.
At 16, Long demonstrates the ability to combine scientific knowledge with social responsibility. His projects not only win awards and gain international recognition but also have a real impact on the community.
"I want to be someone who creates a positive influence on society. Every project I do is directed towards human values," Long affirmed.
Long's story shows the power of youth initiatives when nurtured and encouraged. From a high school student, he proves that creative thinking, determination, and a spirit of sharing can bring young people to the world's largest forums.
Nhat Le
