The Creators 2026: NTTU Students Bring Recycled Materials to the Runway

The Creators 2026 Grand Finale – Season 5 brought together 30 performances in two categories: Performing Arts and Fashion & Creative Products. Recycled designs by students of the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Arts created a highlight for the season, while bringing the Net Zero spirit and the message of “Green – Sustainable – Creative” closer to the community.

Recently, the final round took place at the 9th floor Auditorium, An Phu Dong Campus, Ho Chi Minh City. Entering its fifth season, The Creators continues to attract the participation of contestants, faculty members, students, and alumni from the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Arts, Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Attending the program were MSc. Nguyen Hoang Ngoc Chau – Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union; representatives of the Faculty Management Board including MSc. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy – Standing Vice Dean; Dr. Ma Van Phuc – Vice Dean; MSc. Le Hai Hong Phong – Vice Dean. The Organizing Committee included Mr. Le Hai Hong Phong – Head of the Organizing Committee and Mr. Truong Nguyen Truong Nguyen – Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee.

The Professional Judging Panel consisted of MSc. Tran Thi Ai Thuy – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts, Head of the Judging Panel; MSc. Nguyen Le Thanh Hai – Director, Choreographer, Lecturer at the Faculty of Performing Arts; MSc. Nguyen Vu Dieu Hien – Head of Vocal Department, Faculty of Performing Arts.

The Creators was designed as a bridge between theory and practice, providing an additional environment for students to express their passion, develop their capabilities, and gain hands-on experience alongside class hours. Directly standing on stage, receiving feedback from the Judging Panel, or collaborating with team members also helped students build confidence, communication, leadership, teamwork skills, and adaptability under pressure.

MSc. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy – Standing Vice Dean, Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Arts accompanying students at The Creators 2026

Representatives of the Faculty of Architecture – Interior – Applied Arts presenting flowers to express gratitude to the Judging Panel; behind the success of The Creators 2026 – Season 5 was also the continuous preparation, coordination, and support of the Organizing Committee

Sharing about this year’s program, MSc. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy – Standing Vice Dean said: “The Creators offers additional opportunities for students to demonstrate their abilities, personality, and ideas alongside their academic progress.

In season 5, exploiting pre-owned materials also helped students incorporate green thinking and the Net Zero spirit into their products, thereby spreading environmental awareness and sustainable development messages to the community.

At the same time, through the process of creation and performance, students honed their project thinking abilities, idea presentation skills, and sense of responsibility toward their own work—factors that are vital for design students in today’s context.”

Giving materials a new life cycle through green creative thinking

While the Performing Arts stage allowed contestants to display their stage presence, the Fashion & Creative Products category presented a different dimension by combining materials, aesthetics, and environmental storytelling into a single product.

Plastic bags, plastic spoons, paper, cardboard boxes, old mosquito nets, or paper from previous academic projects were repurposed to craft creative, impressive, and functional outfits. Through the touch of young “designers,” used materials appeared on stage with a fresh new look.

Not only emphasizing aesthetics, the designs also aimed at environmental friendliness, sustainable development, and aligning with the Net Zero trend. From selection to material reuse, the message “Green – Sustainable – Creative” was directly embodied in the products rather than remaining a mere competition topic.

The performances at The Creators 2026 ranged from singing and dance choreography to Fashion & Creative Products, offering a wide array of styles and expressions by NTTU students

As a result, the story of recycling became more accessible and relatable. A plastic spoon, a cardboard box, or sheets of paper from old projects could be given a second life when integrated into a new design concept. For the audience, the environmental message was conveyed through tangible products; for the creators, it served as an opportunity to test their skills in material manipulation and turn ideas into finished products.

This category also highlighted an approach aligned with the characteristics of majors such as Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design. Strengths in aesthetics, conceptualization, and material handling were applied to a pressing societal concern, expanding the value of student activities beyond conventional competitions.

From the stage of The Creators, Net Zero principles and sustainable development were communicated in a language resonant with learners themselves. This showcased how young people’s ideas can help bring the message of material reuse and environmental protection closer to the broader community.

The Judging Panel observed, commented on, and evaluated the performances, offering professional perspectives to help students refine their performance skills, creative thinking, and execution during their studies at NTTU

From “ASH SPROUTING” to “MORE THAN A DREAM”: The Mark of NTTU Students in Season 5

After the rounds of competition, three First Prizes across two categories found their rightful owners.

In the Performing Arts category, First Prize for Singing went to “Non Nuoc Huu Tinh” (Picturesque Mountains and Rivers) by Nguyen Ngoc Dan Thuy and Tran Thu Phuong, class 25DTR1A, Department of Architecture. First Prize for Dance went to “More Than a Dream” by BC CREW, classes 25DDH1B and 25DDH1C, Department of Graphic Design.

The outfit collection “ASH SPROUTING” by a group of K24 and K25 students from the Department of Interior Design won First Prize in the Fashion & Creative Products category.

A representative of the group behind “ASH SPROUTING” shared: “What we aimed for was not only to create a visually striking outfit, but also to find added value in used materials. During the creation process, we had the opportunity to look at materials from a different perspective and translate environmental concepts into a concrete product.”

For BC CREW, “More Than a Dream” brought home not only the First Prize in dance performance, but also marked a journey of practice and teamwork. A representative of BC CREW shared: “The award is a joy for the whole team, but above all, we gained more confidence, teamwork skills, and unforgettable experiences during our time studying at NTTU.”

Beyond the First Prizes, many other performances also left a strong impression in the final round. Second Prize in Performing Arts went to “The Green Planter” by Nguyen Tuan Huy, class 25DDH1D, and “Youthful Energy” by class 23DDH1A, both from the Department of Graphic Design. “Ngoc Vu Bich Linh” by designer Phung Thi Kim Ngoc, class 24DDH1C, received Second Prize in Fashion & Creative Products.

Third Prize in Performing Arts was awarded to “Muse” by Pham Duc Manh, class 25DTK1A, Department of Interior Design, and “Huyen Dieu Phu Quang” by Nguyen Minh Nghia, class 24DDH1B, Department of Graphic Design. “Iron Anubis” by designer Dong Vu Hoang Phat, class 24DDH1D, took Third Prize in the design category.

Consolation Prizes in the Performing Arts category were awarded to “What Father Hasn’t Said”, “Shadow of Vanity”, “Tet is Here, Let’s Get Married”, “Mother!”, “The Zoo”, and the mashup “I Que Fue x Redred x A Little Dream of Me”. Among these, “The Zoo” featured a collaboration among students from all three departments: Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design.

In the Fashion & Creative Products category, Consolation Prizes were given to “NGOC VU NGHENH PHONG”, “BLUES”, “Kham Da Minh Chau”, “Hai Vuong Giap”, “KHAI HUYEN THIEN LAC”, “Viet Long Nguyen”, “Mythology”, “Song Quang Nhat Nguyet”, “VESTIGE”, “Angel”, and “The Great Forest”.

In addition to the main awards, the Organizing Committee presented four thematic awards: “Rebirth Dream” – Aesthetic Award; “Legend of the Twin Dragons” – Creativity Award; “Lily in the Dew” – Impression Award; and “The Light of Aluminum” – Style Award.

The participation of multiple cohorts and classes across all three departments created a vibrant mix of colors for this season. Behind each entry was a journey of practice, coordination, and product refinement by the contestants. This reflects the spirit the Faculty encourages in learners: “not only learning design, but also honing courage, emotion, and subtlety in every concept.”

Three First Prizes across the categories were awarded to “Non Nuoc Huu Tinh” by Nguyen Ngoc Dan Thuy and Tran Thu Phuong (Singing), “More Than a Dream” by BC CREW (Dance Performance), and “ASH SPROUTING” by the K24, K25 Interior Design student group (Fashion & Creative Products).

Second Prizes across the categories went to “The Green Planter” by Nguyen Tuan Huy (Singing), “Youthful Energy” by class 23DDH1A (Dance Performance), and “Ngoc Vu Bich Linh” by designer Phung Thi Kim Ngoc (Fashion & Creative Products)

Third Prizes across the categories went to “Muse” by Pham Duc Manh (Singing), “Huyen Dieu Phu Quang” by Nguyen Minh Nghia (Dance Performance), and “Iron Anubis” by designer Dong Vu Hoang Phat (Fashion & Creative Products)

Consolation Prizes and sub-awards continued to recognize many outstanding performances and designs, contributing to the rich diversity of The Creators 2026 – Season 5

Five Seasons of The Creators: Expanding Experiential Spaces for NTTU Students

From its inaugural season to 2026, The Creators has accompanied generations of students from the Faculty of Architecture – Interior Design – Applied Arts. Over 5 seasons, each edition has carried its own unique flavor with fresh performances, products, and faces, offering opportunities for learners to explore their abilities, express their individuality, and nurture their passions.

This beyond-the-classroom space also provides students with experiences distinct from traditional coursework and specialized projects. From conceptualizing ideas and rehearsing to teamwork and performing live before an audience, every phase demands initiative, collaboration, communication, and adaptability under pressure. These are precisely the skills that the competition aims to foster throughout the learning process.

The Creators 2026 – Season 5 not only creates a platform for NTTU students to showcase their talents, but also expands practical learning experiences through hands-on activities, teamwork, stage performance, and idea development linked to green innovation, Net Zero, and community responsibility

In its fifth season, recycling elements and the Net Zero spirit made an even stronger mark. The core strengths of the design disciplines were connected with environmental narratives through material selection, concept development, and final execution, thereby spreading the message of “Green – Sustainable – Creative” to the community.

Sustaining this initiative over many years has also enriched university life at Nguyen Tat Thanh University. Beyond theoretical knowledge, students gain opportunities to bring ideas to life, leverage personal strengths, and build valuable experiences aligned with their academic journey.

Following the 5-season milestone, the ethos of “Dare to create – Dare to be different – Dare to shine” continues to carry forward, opening up upcoming seasons of The Creators filled with fresh ideas, talents, and unique personalities from students of the Faculty of Architecture – Interior Design – Applied Arts.

By: Cam Thach – Mr. Truong Nguyen Truong Nguyen – Vice Head of the Organizing Committee

Photos: Media “