Hanoi launches STEM robotics English festival to nurture future digital citizens

THE HANOI TIMES — The 2025–2026 Primary English STEM Robotics Festival opened in Hanoi on the weekend with 552 standout students from 184 primary schools, representing nearly 750,000 primary learners across the capital.

The festival gives students hands-on English practice and opportunities to explore programming, robotics, teamwork, logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

These core competencies will help equip them to become future digital citizens and contribute to Hanoi’s goal of becoming a UNESCO global “Learning City”.

Speaking at the event, Tran The Cuong, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Council, said the festival serves as both an intellectual playground and an experiential learning environment.

He noted that students strengthen real-world English skills while exploring science, technology, STEM and robotics, which are key foundations for modern digital citizenship.

Cuong highlighted several notable achievements of Hanoi’s education sector in the 2024–2025 school year, including a high school graduation rate of 99.75% and nearly 1,600 perfect scores in national exams, with English remaining a strong subject.

“These results show the sector’s determination and the effectiveness of focusing on foreign languages, IT, STEM and global competencies,” he said.

He urged the Hanoi Department of Education and Training to accelerate the plan to make English a second language in schools, expand digital transformation and AI use in teaching and create more enjoyable platforms for English and technology learning.

Cuong also called for continued innovation in teaching methods, development of STEM education, safe and humanistic learning environments and stronger emphasis on ethics, digital skills and online behavior.

The festival is part of the plan to implement the government-approved program making English a second language in schools in the 2025–2035 period.

It also supports key resolutions on national breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and education reform.

Pham Quoc Toan, Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, thanked the event’s co-organizer, Binh Minh Technology Corporation and acknowledged the dedication of teachers, parents and schools supporting the students.

Welcoming more than 500 participants, Toan encouraged students to show confidence, honesty, teamwork and creativity.

“Every STEM product and every English response lays a foundation for you to become global citizens,” he said.

He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to creating more English, STEM and technology learning opportunities and fostering a modern, internationally-oriented educational environment.

The intensity of the competition

The preliminary round is divided into four sessions. Two sessions took place on November 29 and the remaining two will be held on December 6, 2025.

The competition includes two parts.

In Part I – Multi Quiz, students had to answer interdisciplinary questions in English across subjects such as mathematics, science, IT, technology, history, geography, music, art and physical education.

In Part II – Tech Race, teams competed in a robot-versus-robot challenge on a field, where robots collect balls and deliver them to their team’s scoring zone.

Although the Part I questions are in English and require integrated knowledge, participating teams responded quickly and confidently.

Each question allows only 10 seconds, yet many teams answered consecutively and accurately, creating a fast-paced and exciting atmosphere.

In the Tech Race, the venue grew more intense with fierce robot clashes for control of the balls.

Teams chased each point, making every ball pick-up and drop-off a suspenseful moment for contestants and spectators.

Teacher Ha Le Van Hai of An Duong Vuong Primary School said his students study STEM at school but this is their first time competing in such a large-scale event.

“Although the robot is new to them, the students adapted well and demonstrated creativity,” he said.

He added that the competition allows students to meet new teams, gain real-world experience and strengthen creativity and problem-solving.

“With AI and technology playing a bigger role in education, this is a meaningful and valuable platform for students,” he said.

English teacher Nguyen Thi Huong Tra of Kim Duong Primary School said her students were a bit nervous during the English question-and-answer sessions but performed beyond expectations in the robot challenge, showing teamwork and confident robotic control.

She said the contest helps students develop quick thinking, creativity and the courage to explore new challenges which are important qualities for their learning journey.

According to organizers, outstanding students after the preliminary rounds will advance to the final on January 10, 2026. The closing and award ceremony will take place on January 24, 2026.