TEDxSaigon Studio

Speakers

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

• Hong Thai To

  Promoter of Traditional Musical Culture

  “How can traditional cultural values be retold in a way that is accessible and resonates with today's youth?” Tô Hồng Thái was born and raised in Long An, carrying a deep love for Southern Vietnamese culture, especially Cải Lương and Đờn ca tài tử. Although not formally trained in the arts, Thái diligently self-studied, practiced, and participated in numerous community cultural activities as a way to preserve the familiar sounds of his homeland. His academic journey in the tourism industry helped Thái realize something important: tourism is not just about bringing visitors to new lands, but also about telling the stories of one's own homeland, stories that are deeply emotional, profound, and rich with traditional essence. From this realization, Thái began creating content about Western region culture on TikTok and Facebook, garnering sympathy and engagement from many young people who appreciate national identity.

• Huu Minh Dang

  Carrying the soul of Vietnamese culture further with the heart of a young storyteller

  Đặng Hữu Minh believes that culture is not confined by the museum walls — it lives in our stories, our hands, and the breath of everyday life. Driven by this love, he has actively immersed himself in cultural field trips to places like Bát Tràng, La Khê, Huế, and Đồng Kỵ. These journeys have shaped his perspective, showing him that every cultural detail, no matter how small, is a vivid fragment of history — a sacred thread woven into the enduring soul of the nation. Once dreaming of standing under dazzling stage lights, Minh eventually realized that art does not exist only on grand stages. It is present in the rhythm of daily life, where culture and people meet. That realization shaped his mission: to tell Vietnam’s story with the heart of someone devoted to cultural tourism. At TEDxSaigon Studio 2025, Đặng Hữu Minh will offer a refreshing perspective on the power of heritage — reminding us that when we tell cultural stories with sincerity, the world listens with love and admiration.

• Huy Tuan Ngo Dang

  MC, Empower to Self-Belief

  Ngô Đăng Huy Tuấn has always carried a quiet determination — the kind that grows from paying attention to life’s challenges and choosing to rise above them. What began as simple curiosity toward culture and tourism gradually became a lens through which he understood people, stories, and the world around him. Alongside that journey, Tuấn found his voice — literally and figuratively. As an MC for various programs and activities, he learned how to hold space for others, how to listen, and how to share with authenticity. His creative work in cultural tourism storytelling earned him recognition, including awards for video content and a notable achievement at the 2025 Cultural Tourism Ambassador Competition. Behind his calm presence is a story shaped by adversity. Tuấn had once endured school bullying and faced a psychological struggle that shadowed his early years.

• Ngoc Khanh Linh Bui

  Empower Women in Tourism

  How can women lead and bring a fresh wind to the tourism industry? To Linh, tourism is not just about movement from one place to another, but a journey of connection, where landscapes, people, and national identity are told through vivid, authentic, and emotionally rich perspectives. However, the road to pursuing this passion has never been easy. In an environment where there are still many stereotypes about the role of women in the tourism industry, Linh has faced doubt, discouragement, and voices telling her to stop because it was “too demanding” or “not suitable”. Instead of accepting these limits, she chose to move forward, training herself every day and proving her capabilities through resilience. That journey led Khánh Linh to become the First Runner-up of the “Tourism Culture Ambassador 2025”, not just as a title, but as a powerful statement that women can lead and create real difference. Since then, Linh has lived by a simple yet powerful belief: “We can”.

• Phuong Thao Nguyen

  Nỗ lực "Thật" hay Nỗ lực "Ảo"

  Nguyễn Phương Thảo | Khi sự tò mò dẫn ta đến những hành trình có ý nghĩa Nguyễn Phương Thảo từng là học sinh chuyên Văn tại Trường THPT Chuyên Hạ Long – nơi cô học cách lắng nghe thế giới bằng ngôn từ và cảm xúc. Chính nền tảng ấy đã gieo vào Thảo niềm đam mê đặc biệt với những câu chuyện và khơi dậy sự tò mò sâu sắc về con người, văn hóa và những mối liên kết vô hình giữa chúng. Từ sự nhạy cảm của một người yêu ngôn ngữ, Thảo dần nhận ra rằng mỗi câu chuyện đều mang trong nó sức mạnh kết nối. Và cô đã chọn du lịch làm cách kể chuyện của riêng mình. Thông qua từng chuyến đi và từng cuộc gặp gỡ, Thảo học cách quan sát, ghi nhận và truyền tải vẻ đẹp đời sống Việt Nam bằng một góc nhìn chân thành, tinh tế. Hành trình ấy đã đưa cô chạm đến danh hiệu Á quân Cuộc thi Đại sứ Văn hóa Du lịch 2025 – một dấu mốc ghi nhận sự nỗ lực và cũng là khoảnh khắc Thảo hiểu rằng: việc lan tỏa văn hóa không nằm ở quy mô hay số lượng, mà ở chiều sâu tâm huyết đặt vào từng điều mình làm.

• Quoc Huy Le

  Conservation Technology Enthusiast

  Growing up amidst the rhythm of Saigon, Le Quoc Huy carries a deep connection to the city, where every street, tree, and heritage corner evokes familiar memories. This love, combined with the sensitivity of someone passionate about tourism, led Huy to a profound question: what is the future of urban heritage in the digital age? As a collaborator at the Zoo’s Education Center, Huy spends much of his time sharing stories about nature and history with visitors, especially children. Through these encounters, he realized that what truly captivates people is not only the animals or the greenery in the heart of the city, but the stories that connect memories, heritage, and emotions. At TEDxSaigon Studio 2025, Le Quoc Huy will share his journey of digitizing the Zoo through the eyes of a young city lover — where technology doesn’t replace nature, but helps people better understand, connect with, and appreciate values that might otherwise feel “familiar to the point of being forgotten.”

• Thanh Hung Lu

  Youth Activist

  “Youth fears not mistakes, but never trying.” Throughout his involvement with cultural and community projects, Hưng discovered a simple but profound truth: culture truly comes alive when young people retell it, reinterpret it, and share it in ways that resonate with their generation. It’s also why his personal motto has become his guiding compass. Driven by passion and the courage to experiment, Hưng believes that cultural industries should not remain abstract concepts. Instead, they can become a dynamic foundation to shape how Vietnam is perceived on the global stage. As the Cultural Tourism Ambassador of the Cultural Tourism Talent Incubator, Head of the Journey Department of the VLU TOURGUIDE Club, and a performer in the Anh Ca Vũ dance team at Nghĩa An Assembly Hall, Hưng has continuously transformed theory into practice — nurturing cultural appreciation while preserving and sharing Vietnamese heritage, especially the rich traditions of the Hoa community in Chợ Lớn.

• Thanh Thanh Pham

  Volunteer Tourguide

  Can the smallest stories reshape how the world sees Vietnam? Throughout her journey as a volunteer tour guide, Phạm Thanh Thanh has led more than 30 tours and met travelers from across the globe — and she has discovered a simple truth: what touches people most isn’t just the landmarks, but the human stories, the cultural nuances, and the quiet acts of kindness that define a place. As a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Thanh is also a volunteer guide with Saigon Hotpot — a non-profit organization that connects young Vietnamese with international visitors through free cultural walking tours. Each tour is an opportunity for her to share Saigon through the lens of lived experience, personal memory, and youthful curiosity. At TEDxSaigon Studio, Phạm Thanh Thanh will explore how small actions and simple stories can build bridges between Vietnam and the world.

• Thi Hai Yen Ngo

  Personal Growth Advocate

  Ngo Thi Hai Yen is an active young woman passionate about community work, Hai Yen took part in various extracurricular and volunteer activities. One of her most transformative experiences was serving as a liaison volunteer at the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025, where she first deeply understood the meaning of responsibility, openness, and representing Vietnamese culture on an international stage. But for Yen, the title was never the ultimate goal. What she truly found valuable was discovering herself, the version who dared to try, dared to fail, dared to stand up again, and dared to pursue what once felt impossible. From these journeys, Hai Yen realized a profound truth: success doesn’t appear when we are perfect, but when we are brave enough to begin. Every attempt is progress; every stumble is growth. At TEDxSaigon Studio 2025, Hai Yen will share the message that helped her push past her own boundaries.

• Thuy Linh Nguyen Thi

  Empower Personal Growth

  Because within each of us lies a gentle “crack,” where the first light begins to shine. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh is a vibrant, curious young individual who constantly seeks ways to create positive value within her community. Behind her bright exterior lies a deeply personal story shaped by early emotional wounds. Instead of hiding them, Linh learned to face those tender “cracks,” allowing them to guide her toward healing, self-understanding, and creativity. These experiences have shaped her ability to lead teams, coordinate impactful programs, and contribute significantly to youth and community activities. Over the years, Linh has been recognized with numerous awards, including Outstanding Youth Leader, 5-Good Student, certificates of merit for volunteer contributions, and multiple achievements in the performing arts. For her, these accomplishments are not milestones to rest on, but reminders that sincerity and compassion always matter.

• Tung Chi Pham Thi

  Overcoming Self-doubt

  Every journey has its brilliant highlights and its rough detours. For Tùng Chi, the lowest point following the national university entrance exam - a time of confusion and self-doubt. Chi continuously proved herself through proud milestones: becoming the Champion of the CigQuit 2025 Communication & Oratory Contest at Hanoi Medical University; Champion of the Psychology Education Debate Tournament 2022; Third Runner-up in the Learning Vietnamese Language & Culture Contest 2025; Top 8 of Light on The Mic 2024; and notably, the National Student Cultural Tourism Ambassador for two consecutive years, 2024 & 2025. These achievements not only mark Chi's capabilities but are also a statement of the power of believing in oneself. Today, Tùng Chi steps onto the TEDxSaigon Studio 2025 stage with her own story. She hopes to send the audience a message that failure is not an endpoint; it is merely a stepping stone to start again, better, stronger, and clearer.

• Van Chieu Vo

  Youth Activist

  At the age of 14, Chiêu first took part in volunteer work and environmental protection activities. These simple yet meaningful experiences planted a powerful belief: youth can create real change when compassion aligns with a shared purpose. As a student at Can Tho University, he continued to immerse himself in community projects, heritage communication competitions, and initiatives that connected traditional craft villages with younger generations. Every encounter — a story, a custom, a cultural value — he felt even more deeply that heritage is not only a remnant of the past; it lives with us, grows with us, and transforms with our generation. As the National Cultural & Tourism Ambassador Champion 2025, he aims to preserve and promote cultural identity, foster community spirit, and ignite a love for Vietnamese culture. At TEDxSaigon Studio 2025, Chiêu brings out a journey illustrates how creativity, enthusiasm, and kindness from the youth can breathe new life into intangible values.

• Van Nam Nguyen

  Promoter of Responsible Tourism

  Nguyen Van Nam entered the world of tourism not only out of a love for exploration, but from a deeper curiosity: “How can travel bring something better to people and communities?” That question led Nam to the Faculty of Tourism at Nha Trang University, where he learned to look at the world through a lens of empathy, openness, and responsibility. For him, this research was more than data and analysis, it was a journey into understanding how people interact with the environment, with local communities, and with themselves during every step of their travels. Each milestone reinforced Nam’s belief that travel is not only about enjoyment, it is also a commitment: to nature, to people, and to the future. At TEDxSaigon Studio 2025, Nguyen Van Nam brings a message he has reflected on for years: Every journey is a chance to leave footprints of kindness, small but powerful enough to influence the path of our world.

• Vi Khang Pham

  Champion of the 2025 Cultural Tourism Ambassador and First Runner-up of the Ho Chi Minh City Emerging Tour Guide 2025

  Is a person’s value shaped by where they start, or by how they choose to face challenges? For Khang, growth does not come from comfort, but from the courage to step into challenges that seem beyond one’s limits. His spirit of “always giving his best” has led him to remarkable milestones, including being crowned Champion of the 2025 Cultural Tourism Ambassador and First Runner-up of the Ho Chi Minh City Emerging Tour Guide 2025, among others. TKhang believes that true success is not defined by titles, but by the journey of turning pain into motivation and transforming personal stories into sources of inspiration for the community. At TEDxSaigon Studio 2025, Pham Vi Khang will offer an honest and inspiring perspective on how young people can begin their journey of creating impact — through the smallest actions, no matter where they start or who they are.

• Xuan Quynh Le Thi

  Public Speaker

  Xuan Quynh’s journey began with a desire to connect with the world. Yet what truly shaped her was not what she learned in the classroom, but the moments she stepped onto a stage, trembling yet determined, to speak her truth. From hosting Vietnam–Japan and Vietnam–US cultural exchange programs to her international study experience in Thailand in 2024, each opportunity pushed she further beyond her comfort zone. Her persistence has led to numerous achievements: Second Place at The Next Speaker 2024, Third Place at The Next Speaker 2025, Second Prize at S-Debate 2025, Champion of Tourism Skills 2025, and multiple Top 10 finishes in debate, tour guiding, and soft skills competitions. Behind these accolades lies a truth Quynh took years to understand: confidence isn’t something we are born with; it is built every time we dare to speak. At TEDxSaigon Studio, she shares her journey of transforming stage fear into strength, and why she believes anyone can take ownership of their voice.