The Lang Son team staged a comeback to win the robotics championship.

TPO - Overcoming tense moments when encountering problems right on the competition field and days of perfecting their robot design, the team from Yen Vuong Primary and Secondary School (Lang Son) has stepped onto the highest podium of the Robotics competition (Group B).

Báo Tiền Phong•12/05/2026

On May 10th, at the National Innovation Center - NIC (Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, Hanoi ), the National Finals of the Vietnam STEM, AI and Robotics Championship (VSAR) for the 2025-2026 academic year captivated viewers with thrilling competitions and diverse, creative robot designs.

After the qualifying rounds, the outstanding teams advanced to the final round of the Robotics competition, Group B, to compete for the prize. The match to determine the winner was therefore exciting for viewers and tense for the contestants from Yen Vuong Primary and Secondary School ( Lang Son ) against Thanh Xuan Trung Secondary School (Hanoi).

The team from Yen Vuong School (Lang Son) in the final round. Photo: Duy Pham

Overwhelmed with emotion at the victory.

After two minutes of play, the final whistle blew, and the entire team from Yen Vuong Primary and Secondary School embraced each other in celebration of their victory, shaking hands and thanking the opposing team. Outside the arena, teachers and parents also erupted in joy.

Team members Trieu Van Tuan (8A) and Vu Le Gia Bao (7B) shared: "I feel very happy. Right now, my teammates and I are truly overjoyed."

That feeling of happiness also relieved the pressure and tension of the final match. Specifically, the two young men faced an extremely tense situation when the crucial turbine unit fell and lay horizontally on the arena floor. Both remained calm, coordinating to optimally utilize the robot's design advantage – its ability to pick up objects even when knocked over – to turn the tide and impress the audience.

One of the key factors contributing to their victory, as acknowledged by Tuan and Bao, was the seamless coordination between Tuan (the driver) and Bao (the navigator). "My navigator is very skilled and sharp. He always keeps a close eye on the opponent, letting me know what they're doing so I can react quickly," Tuan said.

Vu Le Gia Bao (left in the photo) and Trieu Van Tuan celebrate immediately after the match ends. Photo: Duy Pham

From a robot that "cannot lift objects" to a champion machine.

The robot that accompanied Tuan and Bao in their quest for the championship was a flawed product during the early stages of its design.

"On the first day, we faced many difficulties; the robot couldn't lift the blocks for assembly. We had to work with our teacher to fix everything from the voltage to the mechanical design," Tuan shared.

Every small detail was changed, every technical error was fixed so that the robot "became stronger and stronger." It was these failures in the laboratory that forged in the students an iron will.

Vu Le Gia Bao confided: "When the block fell, I was worried, but knowing that my robot had the advantage of being able to pick it up when it fell, I still maintained my confidence."

The pair Gia Bảo and Văn Tuấn coordinated well in the final match. Photo: Duy Phạm

A turning point for schools in disadvantaged areas.

Bringing his students to Hanoi for the competition, Mr. Vu Manh Cuong, Principal of Yen Vuong Primary and Secondary School, attentively watched his students compete. Witnessing the moment his students bravely overcame a heart-stopping situation and won against their opponents, Mr. Cuong was overwhelmed with joy.

"I am extremely proud that, despite participating in this large-scale technology competition for the first time, the students were confident, competed wholeheartedly, and, even in challenging situations, were determined to make the most of every second to score points and win," said Mr. Cuong.

For the principal, the students' victory in a technology competition is a historic milestone for the school. This is because the school is located in a disadvantaged area with many learning challenges. This achievement also proves that material difficulties cannot hinder the passion for creativity and the desire to access modern knowledge of students in the highlands.

To participate in this tournament, the teachers and students of Yen Vuong Primary and Secondary School had to overcome many difficulties. Implementing STEM education over the past two years, the school faced a situation of "no advantages" due to a lack of investment and attention from projects.

When asked about his motivation for taking students to the competition despite limited resources, Mr. Cuong affirmed that his biggest goal was to ensure that students from mountainous regions were not left behind. He hoped that they would have the opportunity to connect with organizations in developed areas and cities, and to see and experience technology firsthand.

Therefore, when students wanted to participate in the National STEM, AI, and Robotics Championship in the Robotics and Water Rocket category, the teachers were very supportive. However, seeing the reality of the lack of equipment and funding for students to create robots and conduct tests before the competition, the teachers and students encouraged each other, saying it was just to "test their skills and learn from other schools."

"Unexpectedly, with their courage and confidence, the students performed excellently against their opponents. This victory is a joy and a motivation for both teachers and students to be more confident in teaching and learning. Next year, the school will strongly implement STEM and robotics education activities and send more teams to participate so that students have the opportunity to learn and access technology," Mr. Cuong said.