The Robotics Movement and the Young Technologists
The 2025 National Finals of the Robotics Innovation Competition concluded in Da Nang, not only with prestigious awards but also with heartwarming stories of passion for technology. Among them, Ngo Ba Minh Phuc and Dang Hong Truong, two boys who had just entered the 3rd grade at Hung Dung 2 Primary School, impressed many by jointly winning the Third Prize nationwide (R1 Category - Primary School Level).
Portraits of two young talents
Da Nang in November: the atmosphere surrounding the National Finals of the Creative Competition.Robotics2025 was hotter than ever, not only because of the intensity of the competition but also because of the burning passion of nearly 500 teams from all over the country. Amidst this technological arena, attention was drawn to two young but incredibly capable individuals: Ngo Ba Minh Phuc and Dang Hong Truong – the two youngest "engineers" in the competition, both from Hung Dung 2 Primary School (Truong Vinh Ward, Nghe An).
The journey to conquer the national arena was a series of days filled with sweat, tears, and breathtaking tension. Young teacher Cao Le Huy – who directly trained and accompanied the two students – recalled: “Those were hours of struggling with complex algorithms, of repeated experiments to ensure the robot mastered the topic of Robotics - Smart Logistics.”
Previously, during the preparation process, we encountered many difficulties, but all the candidates tried their best. The teachers continuously updated and provided the best equipment, supporting us regardless of the time, even on weekends. The challenges were not just about the model. There were situations involving teamwork skills and even anxiety when news of typhoon number 13 about to hit Da Nang was circulating.”
When they entered the exam room, their anxiety transformed into resilience. Despite the pressure of being the youngest contestants, when their robot unexpectedly fell or a wheel detached from its axle, the two boys showed no signs of panic. Ms. Ho Thi Dung, Phuc's mother, although unable to be present, watched from afar via the organizers' cameras with emotion: “Seeing my children manage on their own after receiving the exam paper, arranging everything themselves, I felt both affection and immense pride.”
The foundation of independence and time management skills instilled in them by their parents from a young age helped Phuc and Truong turn unexpected situations and internal conflicts into valuable lessons. Ultimately, they both won third place nationally, demonstrating remarkable maturity for their age of nine.
Phuc and Truong emerged from the grand arena with the prestigious National Third Prize, their eyes bright, intelligent, and their smiles radiant. While Phuc had a calm demeanor, with dark skin, thick glasses, and a mischievous mouth, Truong was fair-skinned, with single eyelids and a round face full of skill and meticulousness. Two boys, two contrasting personalities, yet perfectly blended: one a programming "genius," excelling in mathematics, the other refined in assembly and adjustment. Phuc had a passion for STEM since the age of four, while Truong joined later. Both boys were so passionate about robotics that they could talk endlessly about STEM all day without getting bored. Standing together, their abilities combined, creating a powerful team that even won First Prize at the provincial level.
Directly teaching the two young students, Ms. Dang Thi Quynh Nga – homeroom teacher of class 3C at Hung Dung 2 Primary School – clearly felt that fiery energy. She shared that the two children are not only good at technology but also excel in all subjects and achieve high results in many sports such as chess, football, and table tennis. She emphasized: “Teachers are the ones who inspire, but to accompany and nurture passion, the participation of parents is essential. For both Phuc and Truong, their parents are wonderful people, accompanying them in all activities, helping them become well-rounded individuals. Teaching them gives me renewed energy and ignites my passion for the profession.”
Technological aspirations in Nghe An province
The success of these two third-grade boys is a prime example, reflecting the burgeoning movement for learning technology in general and robotics in particular in Nghe An province.
The 16 awards (including one National First Prize) that the Nghe An delegation brought back from Da Nang is a vivid testament, painting a picture of the upward trajectory of the robotics movement in Nghe An, affirming that the passion for technology is no longer limited to urban areas. Contestants came not only from central wards but also from more disadvantaged regions. For example, contestants from Con Cuong commune – a mountainous commune in western Nghe An – excelled, winning two Second Prizes and one Third Prize. This achievement is an extremely optimistic sign, demonstrating the outstanding efforts of both teachers and students in the highlands, where access to modern equipment is still challenging. It shows the technical thinking, programming skills, and mastery of technology.technologyThe seeds have been sown and developed uniformly, regardless of geographical location.
Having directly mentored and guided many high-achieving students in the Robotics movement, Mr. Cao Le Huy said: “The technology movement, especially Robotics, in Nghe An is at a golden age to transform from scale to quality. The achievement of 16 awards has proven the potential and excellent technical thinking of Nghe An students. Importantly, they don't just stop at programming, but also learn how to solve real-world problems. I believe that, with the support of their families and the attention of the Provincial Youth Union, these small robots, embodying the spirit of unity and creativity of Nghe An students, will become ambassadors, carrying the message of a young generation that is not only professionally competent but also multi-talented, ready to conquer the heights of technology from every corner of our homeland.”
The Nghe An provincial student delegation excellently completed their tasks and made a strong impression at the 2025 National Finals of the Robotics Innovation Competition held in Da Nang, winning a total of 16 awards. The most outstanding achievement was 1 First Prize (R3 category, junior high school level), along with 5 Second Prizes, 4 Third Prizes, and 6 Consolation Prizes. The teams demonstrated a spirit of unity, confidence, creativity, and mastery of technology, proving the positive development of the STEM – Robotics movement at the primary and junior high school levels in Nghe An province.
