On the morning of May 28, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE, formerly Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) hosted the 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV Contest 2026). The competition brought together the 10 best teams representing seven prestigious universities and academies from Vietnam and abroad.
The 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV Contest 2026
The International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV Contest 2026 is a technology playground designed for young enthusiasts in automation and aviation. The event is jointly organized by a network of domestic and international universities, with a total prize value of nearly VND 160 million.
Attending the opening ceremony on behalf of HCM-UTE were:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Giang – President of HCM-UTE;
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCM-UTE;
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Phong – Acting Head of the Office of Science and Technology, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee.
Representing participating institutions were:
Prof. Igor Ivan – Rector of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic);
Prof. Martin Bugaj – Vice Dean for Development and International Cooperation, University of Žilina (Slovakia);
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Dao – President of Ton Duc Thang University;
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoai An – Director of Vietnam Aviation Academy;
Dr. Tran Dinh Tham – President of Pham Van Dong University;
Dr. Bui Thanh Khiet – Vice President of Thu Dau Mot University.
Representatives of sponsoring organizations included:
Mr. Vu Thanh Tuan – Representative of FPT Software;
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thi – Representative of Gremsy Corporation.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh, Vice President of HCM-UTE, stated:
“Today’s event is not only the beginning of a technology programming competition but also a meaningful milestone for innovation, collaboration, and academic exchange. This year, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education is proud to witness the significant expansion of the competition, with the participation of seven universities from Vietnam and Europe, demonstrating that UAV technology is becoming one of the fastest-growing fields in modern engineering.”
He concluded by expressing his hope that the competition would become a memorable experience for all participating contestants.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chau Dinh Thanh – Vice President of HCM-UTE delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony
During the ceremony, the Organizing Committee presented commemorative tokens of appreciation to sponsoring enterprises in recognition of their valuable support and contributions.
The Organizing Committee presenting commemorative tokens of appreciation to the sponsoring organizations
Ten Teams Advance to the Final Round
This year’s final round features ten highly competitive teams from seven universities and academies:
HCMUTE-FME and HCMUTE-CKM from HCM-UTE;
UNIZA from the University of Žilina;
Propellers from VSB from the VSB – Technical University of Ostrava;
TDMU from Thu Dau Mot University;
SkyVision and SkyHolic from Ton Duc Thang University;
PDU Rising Wings from Pham Van Dong University;
VAA-APOLLO and VAA-VOYAGER from Vietnam Aviation Academy.
The Organizing Committee presenting commemorative medals to members of the Jury Council and Referee Committee
The program continued with the presentation of commemorative medals to the Jury Council and Referee Committee. A solemn oath-taking ceremony was also conducted by a contestant representative on behalf of all ten teams, demonstrating their determination and commitment before the competition began.
Student Le The Hien, representing contestants from all 10 competing teams, taking the oath of commitment before the competition
Competition Format
According to the competition regulations, teams must complete two official stages:
Manual Flight Control Round
Autonomous Flight Round
Before each attempt, teams are given up to three minutes to prepare and configure their UAV systems. Each round lasts a maximum of five minutes. A flight ends immediately when the UAV lands on the ground or when the allotted time expires.
These requirements challenge teams not only to ensure stable flight performance but also to demonstrate precise piloting skills and highly reliable programming algorithms capable of handling complex situations in real time.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, all ten teams entered the qualification round in the manual flight category. The UAVs showcased impressive take-offs, accurate maneuvering, and precise control, highlighting the contestants’ technical expertise and teamwork.
According to the competition schedule, the best-performing teams from the qualification round would advance to the Semi-finals held later that afternoon. The Final Round and Award Ceremony were scheduled for the morning of May 29, 2026.
Promoting International Academic Exchange and Innovation
The 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV Contest 2026 once again demonstrates HCM-UTE’s capability to organize large-scale international academic competitions while providing engineering students from Vietnam and abroad with valuable opportunities for exchange and global engagement.
Through the competition, participants gain hands-on experience, strengthen their skills in programming, autonomous control systems, and complex technological problem-solving, while also fostering closer cooperation in education and scientific research among partner institutions worldwide. The event serves as an important platform for advancing applied research projects in unmanned aerial vehicle technology and meeting the growing demands of the digital era.
Competing teams at the 3rd International Competition on Research and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV Contest 2026
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 to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Enginneering (HCM-UTE) to better reflect the university’s multidisciplinary development strategy, strengths in technology and engineering, and its current stature.
Prior to 2007, the university was recognized as a leading institution in technical teacher education. Since 2007, following changes in Vietnam’s national academic discipline framework, the university has expanded significantly into 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, while reaffirming HCM-UTE’s role as a key national university in engineering and technology, contributing to workforce development in the era of digital transformation.