Sci-Tech

Vietnam team wins three awards at ABU Robocon 2026

The LH-FOF team from Vietnam's Lac Hong University won three awards the 2026 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest (ABU Robocon): third place overall, the best design award and a sponsor’s award.

The LH-FOF team from Vietnam's Lac Hong University represents the country at ABU Robocon 2026. (Photo: VTV)
The LH-FOF team from Vietnam's Lac Hong University represents the country at ABU Robocon 2026. (Photo: VTV)

Hanoi (VNA) – The journey of LH-FOF team from Vietnam's Lac Hong University at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest (ABU Robocon) in Hong Kong (China) officially came to an end on the evening of August 23, securing third place overall.

The rules of this year’s edition transformed the competition arena into a “dojo”. Each team had to coordinate seamlessly between a manually controlled robot and a fully autonomous robot. Teams were tasked with collecting Kung-Fu Scrolls (KFS) – cube-shaped blocks – and successfully arranging them into a continuous tic-tac-toe sequence known as “Kung Fu Master”. The first team to complete the sequence would win the match.

Representing the nation, LH-FOF entered the quarter-finals (Round 2-4) against Thailand, with 60 Vietnamese supporters cheering from the stands.

From the start, their Robot 1 unexpectedly encountered a technical problem, allowing the Thai team to take an early lead. However, the match took a dramatic turn when the Thai robot was unable to overcome a slope on the competition field. Showing composure under pressure, Vietnam’s team members quickly resolved the problem and accelerated. LH-FOF staged a remarkable comeback, successfully completing the tic-tac-toe sequence and achieving “Kung Fu Master” at 152 seconds into the 180-second match.

In the first semi-final, the Vietnamese representatives faced the hosts, Hong Kong 1 (the University of Hong Kong). However, a technical fault occurring in the opening seconds prevented LH-FOF’s robot system from keeping pace with their opponents. The “Kung Fu Quest” of the young Vietnamese engineers thus came to an end with a joint third-place finish. The team remained one of the competition’s highlights, winning three awards: third place overall, the best design award and a sponsor’s award. Its speed record in the group stage, together with its composed comebacks, not only added to Lac Hong University’s record of achievements but also left a distinctive mark for Vietnamese students on the regional stage.

This year’s competition featured 16 squads from Cambodia, Egypt, Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Hong Kong 1 emerged as the champion with 240 points, achieving “Kung Fu Master” at 75 seconds into the 180-second match./.

VNA
#Nghị quyết 57 #NQ 57 #Vietnam at ABU Robocon 2026 #LH-FOF Lac Hong University #ABU Robocon 2026 Vietnam World
Follow VietnamPlus

Resolution in action

International integration

Digital transformation

Related News

Lac Hong University’s Robocon team will represent Vietnam at the ABU Robocon 2025. (Source: thanhnien.vn)

Vietnam strives for glory at ABU Robocon 2025

Lac Hong University’s Robocon team, LH - UDS (Unstoppable Dream Shot), will compete with their peers from Cambodia, Greece, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Hong Kong (China).

See more

Vietnamese youths learn about AI application scenarios at the China-ASEAN AI Application Cooperation Centre in Guangxi. (Photo: VNA)

China’s Guangxi fosters AI cooperation with Vietnamese localities

During his visit to China and Guangxi in April, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam expressed a desire to further expand cooperation between Vietnam, particularly border localities, and Guangxi in areas including AI.

Hanoi Market Surveillance officers inspect products showing signs of violations of regulations on product labelling, advertising and intellectual property. (Photo published by VNA)

Positive progress recorded in tackling intellectual property rights infringements

To raise public and business awareness while improving the effectiveness of preventing and dealing with infringements, the Ministry of Science and Technology will continue working with other ministries, sectors and localities to strengthen intellectual property protection and enforcement on a regular, continuous and sustained basis, with no prohibited areas or exceptions.

Delegates visit exhibition stands at the 2026 national quality and productivity forum in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Enabling institutions needed for science-technology to generate new productivity

The Government should shift from providing funding to creating enabling conditions by developing infrastructure, platforms, standards and markets, while coordinating the innovation ecosystem. Innovation and technology diffusion should also go hand in hand, particularly by bringing AI, digital and green technologies to small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as traditional sectors.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tam, Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Polytechnic Institute of Paris (IP Paris) (Photo: VNA)

Expert proposes global Vietnamese intellectual ecosystem to boost AI development

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tam, Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Data and Artificial Intelligence at IP Paris, said the Political Bureau’s Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, which elevates overseas Vietnamese to one of the country's important strategic resources, should be translated into practical mechanisms for deeper participation of OVs in the country’s scientific and technological development, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI).

The strategy pivots Vietnam toward AI research and development tied to economy-wide transformation. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Vietnam approves AI strategy targeting regional hub status by 2030

The strategy pivots Vietnam toward AI research and development tied to economy-wide transformation. Instead of retrofitting AI into existing products and processes, the plan treats AI as a core capability from problem identification through design, organisation and operations.

A student at Thang Long Primary School in Hanoi attend an online class. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam alliance steps up efforts to promote online safety, digital trust

Since its establishment, the Digital Trust Alliance (DTA) has expanded its membership and activities, with hundreds of applications to join recorded in the first six months of 2026. It aims to establish Digital Trust Clubs in all 34 provinces and cities and bring together around 1,000 members nationwide.

Hi-tech shrimp farming and wind power development in Thanh Hai commune, Vinh Long province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam targets productivity-driven growth over cheap labour

A development model based on productivity, knowledge and technology requires long-term capital, a skilled workforce, innovation capacity, technology absorption and incentives for long-term invest. Therefore, Vietnam’s greatest challenge is moving from cost-based advantages to ones based on productivity, technology and added value.

Vietcombank is one of the leading banks in digital transformation. (Photo: VNA)

Banking industry in AI era: When data becomes competitive advantage

In just a few years, AI has evolved from an experimental technology into an “assistant” for many banks, supporting everything from customer service, credit approval, and fraud detection to risk management. However, as the technological gap between institutions narrows, a new question is emerging: What will determine banks' competitive advantage in the AI era?

3.5 billion-USD AI data centre complex proposed in Tay Ninh

3.5 billion-USD AI data centre complex proposed in Tay Ninh

The project is designed for a total IT load capacity of 200 MW. In the first phase, the consortium plans to invest 3.5 billion USD in a 100MW facility, targeting groundbreaking in the fourth quarter of 2026 and commercial operation in 2027.

At the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Singapore seek to make technology a strategic cooperation pillar

The Joint Statement on the Technology Connectivity Strategy issued after the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue reaffirmed the shared interest in deepening cooperation in science and technology, innovation, connectivity and the digital economy. The two sides shared a vision of making Vietnam and Singapore leading strategic technology partners in Southeast Asia, with both countries becoming more technologically self-reliant through cooperation and connectivity.

Delegates at the regular press briefing on August 28 hosted by Ministry of Science and Technology (Photo: mst.gov.vn.webp)

2026 Make in Vietnam Digital Product Awards launched

Launched in 2020, the Make in Vietnam Digital Technology Product Awards are the official annual awards in the digital technology sector organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Over six editions, the awards attracted nearly 1,500 entries, with 299 outstanding digital technology products honoured.

A area showcasing products at AI Day 2026 held in Hanoi on April 5, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam targets top-three ASEAN ranking in AI by 2030

By 2030, Vietnam aims for 60% of businesses using AI to improve efficiency, all civil servants using AI in their work weekly, and 60% of administrative decisions supported by data and AI. The satisfaction rate for AI-supported public services is expected to rise by at least 30%.

VNPT’s data centre (IDC) at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, the largest of its kind in Vietnam, is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and fully meets international technical standards. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s data centre race draws multibillion-dollar investment

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 20 operational data centres and nine proposed projects, according to the municipal Department of Science and Technology. New projects are moving beyond traditional data centres toward large complexes integrating AI and other digital infrastructure.

A mini autonomous bus undergoing testing in Hanoi (Photo: Phenikaa-X)

Hanoi allows 24-month trial of autonomous vehicles at Hoa Lac

The project aims to assess the safety, reliability and readiness of autonomous vehicles under real traffic conditions, as well as the effectiveness of autonomous public transport and compatibility with existing systems. Its results will contribute to developing technical standards, operating procedures and management models suited to Hanoi’s traffic conditions.

Aquaculture rafts on the Rang river in Long Son commune, Ho Chi Minh City, have benefited greatly from expanded digital connectivity, using technology in farming and selling their products online. (Photo: VNA)

Resolution 57 opens digital door to drive marine economic development

Through persistent, hands-on efforts and a determination to “leave no one behind”, the Ho Chi Minh City authorities are working to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to access and benefit from digital transformation under Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW

Professor Vu Minh Khuong of the National University of Singapore. (Photo: VNA)

Singapore’s experience suggests solutions to Vietnam’s human resources challenge in AI era

As Vietnam accelerates digital transformation and high-tech development, Singapore’s experience and the engagement of global technology companies demonstrate that human resources preparation must stay ahead of the curve. The ability to filter knowledge, collaborate, innovate and effectively use AI will increasingly become essential to helping workers adapt to a changing labour market and strengthening the competitiveness of Vietnam’s economy in the new era.