On the morning of May 29, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Engineering and Technology (HCM-UTE, formerly Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) hosted the International Final Round of the 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV Contest 2026). The teams HCM-UTE-CKM and HCM-UTE-FME from HCM-UTE secured First Prize and Second Prize, respectively.
The Final Round of the 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV Contest 2026)
Attending the event on behalf of HCM-UTE were:
Dr. Quach Thanh Hai – Vice President of HCM-UTE;
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Phong – Acting Head of the Office of Science and Technology and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee.
Representing participating institutions were:
Prof. Martin Bugaj – Vice Dean for Development and International Cooperation, the University of Žilina (Slovakia);
Dr. Tran Dinh Tham – President of Pham Van Dong University.
In his remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Phong, Acting Head of the Office of Science and Technology and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, highly praised the contestants’ efforts:
“Throughout the two days of competition, we have not only witnessed impressive technological achievements but also clearly felt the spirit of innovation, passion, and outstanding teamwork demonstrated by the participating teams. Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering hopes that UAV Contest 2026 will serve as a solid stepping stone for future technological breakthroughs and create broader opportunities for collaboration.”
He further expressed his hope that the practical experiences gained through the competition would inspire young engineers to continue pursuing research, mastering advanced technologies, and contributing their expertise to the global automation industry.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Phong – Acting Head of the Office of Science and Technology and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee delivering remarks at the event
Continuing the program, a representative of Ton Duc Thang University emphasized:
“This competition once again demonstrates the rapid development of UAV technology. We are delighted to see the increasing quality of participating teams as well as the growing number of universities and partners joining the event. Ton Duc Thang University is honored to officially take over the role of host institution for the next season of UAV Contest.”
The representative also pledged to further enhance the professionalism of the competition and invited universities, academies, and technology partners to continue expanding the international UAV research community in the coming year.
Representative of Ton Duc Thang University speaking at the event
The 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV Contest 2026 is a technology-oriented competition for young enthusiasts in automation and aviation, jointly organized by a network of domestic and international universities.
During the Final Round, ten teams competed in two categories:
Manual Flight Control
Autonomous Flight Operation
According to the competition rules, each team was allotted a maximum of three minutes for technical setup and five minutes for official competition time.
In the Manual Flight Control category, operators were required to maneuver their UAVs through circular obstacles, pick up designated objects, and transport them to the target area. In the Autonomous Flight category, UAVs had to operate entirely through programmed algorithms, autonomously navigating and accurately dropping balls into designated target zones.
A round ended when the UAV touched the ground or when the five-minute time limit expired. These requirements demanded not only precise technical execution but also exceptional flight stability throughout the mission.
Teams competing in the International Final Round of the 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV Contest 2026
After a series of intense matches and objective evaluations by the Jury Council, the Organizing Committee awarded one First Prize, one Second Prize, one Third Prize, and three Consolation Prizes to the most outstanding teams:
First Prize: HCM-UTE-CKM – Ho Chi Minh City University of Engineering and Technology (HCM-UTE);
Second Prize: HCM-UTE-FME – Ho Chi Minh City University of Engineering and Technology (HCM-UTE);
Third Prize: Propellers from VSB – VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic);
Consolation Prizes: VAA-APOLLO and VAA-VOYAGER from Vietnam Aviation Academy, and PDU Rising Wings from Pham Van Dong University.
The Organizing Committee presents awards to the winning teams
Launched in 2024, UAV Contest has steadily expanded in scale and international significance with each season. Over the past two years, the competition has attracted numerous teams from engineering and aviation universities across Vietnam, as well as international participants from Europe and Asia.
Notably, at UAV Contest 2025, HCM-UTE-CKM won the championship title, laying a strong foundation for HCM-UTE to continue demonstrating its excellence in education, research, and technological application in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles this year.
The success of UAV Contest 2026 once again highlights HCM-UTE’s ability to organize international-standard academic competitions. Beyond recognizing the practical achievements of young engineers, the event serves as an important catalyst for strengthening educational partnerships, technology transfer, and research collaboration with strategic partners both domestically and internationally. It also contributes to the development of a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the digital era.
About the University’s New Name
On December 26, 2025, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 2809/QĐ-TTg, officially renaming Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education as Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE). The new name more accurately reflects the university’s multidisciplinary development strategy, strengths in engineering and technology, and its current stature.
Prior to 2007, the university was a leading institution in technical teacher education. Following changes to Vietnam’s national academic discipline framework, the university expanded its focus to engineering, technology, and related fields. The name change aligns with Vietnam’s Higher Education Network Development Plan for 2021–2030 with a vision toward 2050, addresses workforce demands in the era of digital transformation, and reaffirms the university’s role as a key national institution in engineering and technology.