Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, a student of the Dual Degree Programme in Marketing at International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has won the Gold Prize at the 2026 China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (CICSIC) – Vietnam Station. Her team was also honoured as the second-ranked team in the Final Round.
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The project, titled “MycoBags – Biodegradable Bags from Mycelium,” introduces a bio-based bag designed to replace conventional polyethylene (PE) plastic bags currently available on the market. The product is made primarily from agricultural and industrial by-products such as sawdust and straw, combined with biological mycelium, creating an environmentally friendly bag capable of natural decomposition.
Beyond reducing plastic waste, the innovative value of MycoBags lies in its potential to be reused as organic fertiliser for plants, contributing to a greener product life cycle and the protection of the ecosystem.
“Many products on the market today are promoted as environmentally friendly biodegradable bags. However, the question is whether they are truly eco-friendly or can only decompose under certain conditions. In addition, when these materials break down, what substances do they turn into? Do they still leave behind a certain amount of waste in the environment? Based on these concerns, our team has been researching and developing a product that can replace current plastic bags, while decomposing into nutrients for soil and plants. To prepare for the upcoming round, we will continue to refine the formula to improve the product’s elasticity and conduct further practical tests on the weight capacity of each bag, with the aim of making it comparable to conventional plastic bags at a competitive price”, Hai Yen shared.
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The China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (CICSIC) is an international competition in innovation and entrepreneurship jointly organised by China’s Ministry of Education, 11 ministries and sectors, and local governments. It serves as a major platform for nurturing innovative young talents worldwide, promoting technology transfer, and strengthening international cooperation among industry, academia and research.
In 2026, the Vietnam Station received more than 120 project ideas from nearly 30 universities and academies across the country. The participating projects focused on addressing advanced technological issues, industrial needs and social challenges through breakthrough technological solutions and business initiatives in various fields, including educational technology, solutions for sustainable development, information technology applications and digital transformation.
After the Preliminary Round, 29 innovation and entrepreneurship ideas advanced to the next stage. The teams were divided into two panels to present their projects, both in person and online, in English before a judging panel comprising experts, business representatives and investors from Vietnam and China.
The competition is expected to continue serving as an important platform for fostering innovative young talents globally, promoting technology transfer, and strengthening international collaboration among industry, academia and research. It also further deepens educational and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and China, while building a bridge for creative cooperation among young people from the two countries.
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