The graduation project, titled “Unlocking Green Saigon – An experiential communication campaign for electric buses,” was created by Nguyen Thi Thuy Ngan and Nguyen Hoai Dong Nghi. It has been selected by the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center for further study regarding its potential application in communications for the electric bus system.

Rather than focusing solely on a logo or visual identity, Thuy Ngan and Dong Nghi developed a broader communication campaign aimed at encouraging residents to use electric buses. Having their project selected for further study gives the students an opportunity to continue refining its components in response to real-world needs.

Under the guidance of lecturer Tran Thi Nhat Tram, who holds a master’s degree, the students developed a communication campaign comprising a visual identity system, experiential activities and a series of communication products.

The project includes a visual identity system, experiential activities, a range of communication products and several interactive concepts designed to encourage people - particularly young residents and tourists - to use electric buses. The team focused on creating imagery and communication content closely tied to the experience of using this mode of transport.

Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, head of the Quality Management Division at the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center, said the project had strong practical value and was aligned with the city’s direction for developing green transport.

Under the plan, a number of products from the project will be considered for exhibition at bus stations, allowing members of the public to experience them firsthand. Some components are also being considered for integration into the Center’s visual identity to mark its 30th anniversary.

In the coming period, the Center will work with Hoa Sen University and the student team to study a roadmap for implementing suitable components of the project.

A project arriving at the right moment for the city

The project’s selection for potential application comes as Ho Chi Minh City accelerates its transition toward transport powered by clean energy. From July 1 through the end of 2026, the city is implementing a policy providing 100% bus fare exemptions under a phased roadmap to encourage greater use of public transport.

At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City aims to convert all buses operating on intra-city and interprovincial routes to electric vehicles or other forms of green energy by 2029.

Against this backdrop, communication is being considered an important part of the transition alongside investment in vehicles and infrastructure.

That is also why a student graduation project now has the opportunity to become part of the city’s broader public transport development strategy.

According to the supervising lecturers, the greatest value of a graduation project lies not in grades or a degree, but in its ability to address real-world problems.

Having a government management agency proactively propose studying the project for practical application gives students an opportunity to test the feasibility of their ideas while also building a bridge between university education and society’s needs.

Previously, several projects by Hoa Sen University students were also selected for initiatives related to public transport in Ho Chi Minh City. Among them was the graduation project “Me Tro – Me Pho” by two former students, Nguyen Pham Truong An and Nguyen Thai Hoc, which was selected as the visual identity for Metro Line No. 1.

Another student team, Nguyen Trong Khoi and Tran Kim Mai, also won a prize in the “Urban Symbol – Connecting Imprint 2025” logo design competition. Their “Echo Leaf” mascot is currently used by the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center across the public transport system of the expanded metropolitan area.

Le Huyen