A total of 68 prizes were presented to outstanding young talents at the national finals of the Robotacon World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2025, held on August 6 in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the organisers

HCM CITY — A total of 68 prizes were presented to outstanding young talents at the national finals of the Robotacon World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2025, held on August 6 in HCM City, as Việt Nam prepares to send 34 teams to compete at the global finals in Singapore this November.

The annual STEM robotics competition, organised by Việt Tinh Anh JSC – LEGO Education in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark, attracted 411 teams and 1,235 students from 278 schools nationwide.

Contestants, divided by age groups, competed in four main categories: Global Robotics Games, RoboMission, Future Innovators, and Robot Tennis.

Following two regional rounds in the North and Central–Southern regions, the top 30 per cent of teams advanced to the national final, hosted at the Maple Leaf Sport Arena under the Canadian International School system in HCM City.

From there, 68 students of 34 teams earned the right to compete at the WRO Global Finals and Global Robotics Games in Singapore this November.

Now in its 12th year in Việt Nam, the 2025 edition adopted the theme "The Future of Robots", reflecting the global trend of robotics and automation across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and space exploration.

Beyond programming and engineering skills, the competition encouraged students to develop innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for real-world problems.

Among the top winners, Team REX – T and EUREKA-LEGO won the B0 category aged six to 10.

Team WSHN.MT2.HSRL 01 from Hà Nội’s Wellspring School won the B1 category aged eight to 12.

Team Hồng Bàng 4 from HCM City triumphed in B2 aged 11–15.

Team Bread Squad from the Australian International School claimed victory in B3 aged 14–19.

In total, organisers awarded six championship titles, six first prizes, six second prizes, 16 third prizes, more than 60 encouragement prizes, including 18 teams in the B0 group chosen for the international finals.

Winning teams received trophies, medals, certificates, and LEGO Education STEM kits worth up to VNĐ30 million (US$1,310), along with gifts from sponsors.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Lasse Pedersen Hjortshøj, Chargé d'affaires at the Danish Embassy in Việt Nam, said investing in education is one of the most valuable and long-term commitments a country can make — it is an investment in the nation’s future.

Robotacon WRO is not just a competition. It is a platform that inspires students to think creatively and develop real-world problem-solving skills, he said.

“Every experience is a valuable lesson — and success is the result of a continuous journey of learning.”

Nguyễn Quang Trí, Chief Marketing Officer of Vinamilk, one of the event’s sponsors, said the company always supports young talents and promotes sustainable development from Việt Nam to the world.

“I was truly impressed by the students’ talent and determination. We believe in nurturing bold, resilient minds who can help make life better for all.”

With Việt Nam’s young innovators now headed to the international stage, Robotacon WRO 2025 continues to empower a generation ready to shape the future — one robot at a time. — VNS