2026–2027 SeasonLaunch of the
Vietnam Robotics Championship
2026–2027
Rolled out nationwide, the Vietnam Robotics Championship aims to nurture a generation of young Vietnamese with strong science and engineering skills, innovative thinking and the ability to master technology — while connecting students to the international competition system of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) and opening opportunities to engage with the global robotics community.
The National Startup Support Center (NSSC), Ministry of Science and Technology, in partnership with the STEM Education Promotion Alliance (SEPA), has officially launched the Vietnam Robotics Championship (VRC) for the 2026–2027 season.
The Championship is designed to create a high-quality environment for robotics education, exchange and competition for students across Vietnam, fostering engineering design, fabrication, programming, problem-solving, teamwork and innovation. VRC delivers programs within the RECF system in line with international technical standards and competition rules.
Three robotics programs, one continuous development pathway
The 2026–2027 season plans to run a range of competition programs, forming a robotics pathway from young learners to university students.
ENGAGE
Elementary & Middle School
- EligibilityAge groups U12 & U15
- ChallengeTier Takeover
- FieldField 1.83 × 2.44 m
ACHIEVE
Middle & High School
- EligibilityAge groups U15 & U19
- ChallengePinnacle
- FieldField 3.6 × 3.6 m
INSPIRE
Post-secondary · College – University
- EligibilityUnder 22 years old
- ChallengePinnacle (advanced)
- FieldTwo robots per team
Age eligibility, robot configuration and technical requirements for each program follow the current official RECF rules and policies.
More than a race on the competition field
The Vietnam Robotics Championship evaluates far more than match scores. Teams undertake a complete process — design, build, programming, testing and iteration — and demonstrate their abilities across multiple components including Driving Skills, Autonomous Programming Skills, Alliance matches, the Engineering Notebook and the Team Interview.
A core principle of the season is being student-centered. Students must make the core decisions about their robot’s design, construction, programming, testing and strategy. Adults may teach concepts, ask questions and ensure safety, but may not perform the technical work that is the team’s responsibility.
The Engineering Notebook documents the team’s working process, helping judges assess not only the final product but also how students identify problems, develop solutions, and test and refine their designs.
Building a foundation of science–engineering talent and innovation
Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo identifies science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as a leading strategic breakthrough, and emphasizes the need to develop high-quality human resources, closely linking research, application and training, and encouraging entrepreneurship in science and technology.
In that spirit, VRC is expected to help build science and engineering capacity early for students. The journey — from identifying problems, forming ideas, designing, building, programming, testing and analyzing data, to improving the robot — helps learners turn STEM knowledge into concrete engineering solutions, while developing systems thinking, research capacity, project management, teamwork and real-world problem-solving.
Beyond a competition, VRC aims to become a connection point among schools, universities, laboratories, experts, technology enterprises and the innovation-and-startup ecosystem.
A season running from September 2026 to May 2027
VRC 2026–2027 is organized as a season-long series of activities — from launch and guidance, exchange and field trials, and regional rounds, through the National Finals and preparation for international events.
| Phase | Expected timing | Main activities |
|---|---|---|
| Launch & guidance | September 2026 | Release of information, team registration guidance, coach training, and introduction of the competition rules. |
| Exchange & field trials | September–October 2026 | Exchange sessions, field trials, robot inspection and familiarization with the competition process. |
| Regional rounds & national online round | October–November 2026 | Tentative — Engage: Oct 17–18, 2026; Achieve & Inspire: Oct 24–25, 2026. Detailed schedule announced separately. |
| National Finals | Tentatively December 2026 | Target scale of about 100–150 teams; full competition, skills, practice, robot-inspection, judging and technology-networking areas. |
| International preparation | Jan–May 2027 | Supporting eligible teams with technical preparation, the Engineering Notebook, interviews, strategy and logistics. |
| RECF STEM World Championship | Apr 27 – May 6, 2027 | Eligible teams attend the global event in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, under the official RECF regulations and allocation. |
The schedule above is a framework plan and may be adjusted according to the official RECF calendar, venue conditions, the number of teams and the Organizing Committee’s agreed documents. The national online competition and regional rounds are side events within TECHFEST Vietnam 2026.
Opening pathways to the RECF STEM World Championship
Outstanding teams across all four levels — Elementary, Middle School, High School, and College/University — will be nominated to the RECF STEM World Championship 2027, tentatively held April 27 – May 6, 2027, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, where eligible teams from many countries and regions compete.
Expanding participation for teams nationwide
In the in-person format, teams take part in all components: Alliance matches, Driving Skills, Autonomous Programming Skills, the Team Interview and the Engineering Notebook. For teams in remote areas or facing travel difficulties, several remote components — Driving Skills, Autonomous Programming Skills, the Team Interview and Engineering Notebook review — are planned.
Register your team for the 2026–2027 season
Choose the right program and register a team number to join the international RECF competition system.
| Program | Vietnam Robotics Championship (VRC) |
|---|---|
| Season | 2026–2027 |
| Co-organizers | National Startup Support Center (NSSC), Ministry of Science and Technology; STEM Education Promotion Alliance (SEPA) |
| Competition system | Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) |
| Website | roboticschampionship.vn |
| Media contact | Ms. Đào Thị Hồng Quyên (RECF Representative in Vietnam) · +84 817 750 229 |
| Zalo OA | zalo.me/1412292975064049980 |