CodeLearn – Empowering a generation of Vietnamese with programming mindsets

Winning the Gold Stevie® Award 2025 in the category of Innovation in Education Technology, CodeLearn – the programming education platform developed by FPT – continues to affirm its pioneering mission: cultivating a generation of Vietnamese equipped with digital thinking. In line with Resolution 57/NQ-CP on promoting high-quality human resources and innovation, FPT has continuously enhanced CodeLearn with AI technologies, delivering personalized, modern learning experiences to users of all backgrounds.

CodeLearn platform won the Gold award in the category of “Innovation Award in the field of educational technology”

Technology Gap – Opportunity Gap

In an era where data and algorithms shape every aspect of life, programming is no longer a skill reserved for software engineers. It is becoming a universal “living language” – as essential as English or Mathematics. Yet access to programming education remains uneven in Vietnam and globally. Learners still face limited access to quality educational resources that are often overly theoretical and lack practical engagement.

In Vietnam, this gap is particularly urgent, with the demand for IT talent surging. According to a report by TopDev in September 2024, Vietnam currently lacks at least 500,000 IT professionals. This paradox presents both an immense opportunity and a significant challenge: while tech careers abound, millions remain excluded from the digital economy due to limited access to foundational skills.

Without timely intervention, this technology divide risks becoming a development divide, leaving many behind in the digital transformation journey.

CodeLearn- Making Programming a Universal Language

Recognizing this pressing issue and the specific limitations of IT education in Vietnam, Mr. Cao Van Viet (born 1988) – who would later become the “father” of Vietnam’s largest homegrown programming platform – envisioned an automated programming education system. In this system, instructors could create a lesson once, and learners could access it anytime, anywhere.

The idea took flight in 2018, when Mr. Viet was tasked with organizing a programming contest in Japan. Within 18 days, he and his team built an automated code evaluation system from scratch, rather than relying on existing software. The success of that event laid the foundation for something much greater: a platform that could democratize programming education for millions.

Mr. Cao Van Viet, FPT – “father” of online programming learning platform CodeLearn

From an obscure evaluation tool, just over a month later, CodeLearn officially launched, fully equipped with features for teaching, practicing, grading, and ranking. With the philosophy “learn by doing,” the platform is designed by topics, requiring learners to write code to solve specific problems, which are then automatically evaluated by the system. “Learners can study and take tests anytime, without depending on teachers like in traditional learning,” Viet shared.

More than just an EdTech platform, CodeLearn carries a long-term ambition: to democratize technology, bridge the digital divide in education, and bring programming closer to everyone, from students and workers to career changers or anyone aspiring to transform their lives through technology. Initially, CodeLearn was applied internally at FPT to train new employees. After two months, its effectiveness was recognized by many corporate leaders. Viet’s team decided to bring the solution to the public.

A Comprehensive Programming Learning Ecosystem: From Knowledge to Practical Competence

Unlike other programming platforms that merely provide video lectures or reading materials, CodeLearn is designed as a comprehensive learning ecosystem, including: theory learning – practice – challenges – competitions – community participation – mentor connections – and updates on new technologies. Each step is carefully crafted to ensure continuity in the learning journey and maintain motivation.

The platform has more than 2,000 practice exercises carefully classified from basic knowledge to advanced algorithms.

Currently, the platform features over 2,000 practice exercises carefully categorized by skill, difficulty level, and topic – from fundamental knowledge (control structures, variables, functions…) to advanced algorithms (searching, sorting, recursion, object-oriented programming, dynamic programming…). Notably, all exercises can be coded directly on the platform using an integrated compiler and automatic grading system. Each time a learner submits a solution, the system analyzes logical or syntax errors and suggests corrections, making learning interactive and instantly effective.

One of CodeLearn’s highlights is its ability to apply AI technology to personalize the learning experience. Based on user behavior, completion speed, accuracy level, and processing time, the system analyzes each learner’s data to recommend appropriate lessons, learning paths, challenges, and events. As a result, learners never feel “lost in a sea of exercises” but always have clear direction – knowing where they are, what to learn next, and what to improve.

In addition, CodeLearn offers a variety of engaging learning formats such as regular programming competitions (Code War), real-time challenges, and skill-based learner rankings. These features enhance positive competition and give learners a sense of goal-oriented learning. Learners not only develop programming skills but also train their critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities – essential competencies of modern tech engineers.

CodeLearn organizes many learning formats, such as periodic programming competitions, Code War

One of the biggest obstacles causing programming learners to quit midway is the lack of support when encountering difficulties. Understanding this, CodeLearn proactively built a network of over 100 mentors – experienced tech experts and software engineers from FPT and partner companies – who act as “companions” throughout the learning journey.

Mentors at CodeLearn provide technical assistance and serve as an inspiration and mindset guidance, helping learners overcome common psychological barriers such as fear of making mistakes, hesitation to ask questions, lack of direction, or loss of motivation. Mentors can interact directly with learners through the integrated messaging system, livestreams for exercise explanations, career-sharing webinars, or group support through dedicated social media communities.

This companionship has created a rare level of learner “stickiness” – something uncommon in today’s EdTech products.

When AI Writes Code: Do We Still Need to Learn Programming?

As AI becomes increasingly powerful – capable of writing code, optimizing algorithms, and even testing software autonomously – many question whether learning programming is still necessary if machines can do it all.

Yet in the age of AI, programming thinking – not just coding skills – is what truly matters. While AI can write code, humans must still possess logical thinking, analytical ability, and problem-framing skills to give accurate input to machines, evaluate results, and guide outcomes toward goals. Programming is no longer just a profession but has become a universal language to interact with technology – a foundational skill young generations need to avoid falling behind.

CodeLearn is also actively integrating AI technology to enhance the learning experience.

CodeLearn cũng đang tích cực tích hợp công nghệ AI để nâng cao trải nghiệm học tập. “Trong tương lai – đặc biệt là trong kỷ nguyên AI – CodeLearn sẽ còn tiến xa hơn nữa nhờ chính sự hỗ trợ của trí tuệ nhân tạo. Chúng tôi dự định sẽ tích hợp AI để giúp người học được đánh giá sâu hơn về đoạn code đã viết, đồng thời có thể tương tác như một gia sư cá nhân luôn đồng hành, giải đáp và dẫn dắt trong suốt quá trình học. Không dừng lại ở đó, chúng tôi cũng sẽ ứng dụng AI để phát triển các tính năng học tập cá nhân hóa, đảm bảo mỗi người đều có lộ trình phù hợp với năng lực và tốc độ riêng. Đặc biệt, CodeLearn đang mở rộng thêm các khóa học và sân chơi về AI, giúp người học trang bị vững vàng kỹ năng trong lĩnh vực đang định hình tương lai này”, “cha đẻ” của CodeLearn chia sẻ.

CodeLearn is also actively integrating AI technology to enhance the learning experience. “In the future – especially in the AI era – CodeLearn will go even further thanks to artificial intelligence. We plan to integrate AI to provide deeper evaluation of written code, as well as offer interactive tutoring experiences that accompany, guide, and support learners throughout their journey. Moreover, we aim to apply AI to develop personalized learning features to ensure each learner has a path suited to their capabilities and pace. Especially, CodeLearn is expanding its AI courses and competitions to help learners firmly equip themselves with skills in this future-defining field,” shared the “father” of CodeLearn.

From an Educational Idea to a Million-User Journey

After five years of operation, CodeLearn has gone beyond being a trial learning platform. With over 1,000,000 users across various countries, it has been implemented by prestigious training institutions such as FPT Education, FPT Polytechnic, and FUNiX. From June 2024, CodeLearn officially entered commercial markets and quickly recorded revenue of VND 620 million in just the first six months – an impressive figure given its origins as a non-profit product.

Beyond market validation, CodeLearn has continuously received prestigious awards in innovation and educational technology, such as:

• Gold Stevie Awards 2025 – “Innovation in Education Technology” category

• Vietnam Talent Awards 2022

• Sao Khue Awards 2020, Make in Vietnam 2020, and iKhien 2019 by FPT Corporation
  

These achievements are a testament to the tireless efforts of the CodeLearn team – people who believe that learning programming is an opportunity no one should miss.

The journey of CodeLearn is far from over. From a basic coding platform, it is now expanding with courses on artificial intelligence (AI), data science, algorithmic thinking, and more, aiming to equip learners with comprehensive digital thinking.

The platform is also working toward integration with school and university curricula, making programming a fundamental subject from an early age. In the long term, CodeLearn aspires to become an international programming education model that is still “Make in Vietnam,” while expanding into Southeast Asian markets, regions with high demand for digital transformation and tech education.