Representatives of Saigon Hi-Tech Park and partner universities launch the third Smart City Integrated Circuit Design Competition 2026 in HCM City on April 3. — Photo sggp.org.vn

HCM CITY — The Management Board of Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) in HCM City on Friday launched the third Smart City Integrated Circuit Design Competition 2026, aiming to nurture young talent and promote green semiconductor solutions for sustainable urban development.

Held under the theme “Green integrated circuits for smart cities,” the nationwide competition is expected to serve as an incubator for innovative ideas that contribute to energy efficiency, emission reduction and environmentally friendly production, in line with the city’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The competition is open to participants across Việt Nam and has been expanded to include three categories for high school students, university and college students, and technology enterprises and startups.

Participants will receive technical guidance and mentorship from leading training and research institutions throughout different stages, from idea screening and product development to professional evaluation.

The final round and award ceremony are scheduled for October.

Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Kỳ Phùng, head of the SHTP Management Board, said after two previous editions, the competition has recorded encouraging results, with participation growing significantly each year.

“The competition is not only an academic platform but also a practical solution to identify, nurture and connect young human resources in the semiconductor sector.

The second season attracted 68 design projects from 27 universities, institutes and research centres, up 71 per cent from the first edition, with nearly 300 contestants from across the country taking part.

This year, organisers have expanded the scale and introduced a startup-oriented category to strengthen links with investors and promote the commercialisation of innovative ideas, Phùng said, adding that the competition plays an important role in the innovation ecosystem by connecting training, research and real-world applications.

At the launch ceremony, SHTP signed cooperation agreements with several universities in the city, including HCM City University of Technology and Engineering, HCM City University of Technology, FPT University and Nguyễn Tất Thành University, focusing on sharing training resources, providing technical support and enabling students to access advanced technologies. — VNS