Vietnam launches UAV Innovation Contest 2025 to boost drone ecosystem

THE HANOI TIMES — The UAV Innovation Contest 2025, themed “Skies of the Homeland”, kicked off today (September 9), seeking effective UAV applications to drive research, invention and commercialization of Made-in-Vietnam drones.

The contest is co-organized by the Institute for Space and Underwater Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and PetroVietnam Gas Corporation.

It aims to become a hub for knowledge exchange, technology learning and investment connections, while fostering a sustainable UAV ecosystem in Vietnam.

The contest welcomes high school, college and university students nationwide who are passionate about drones and automation technology.

Designed as a real-world simulation, it challenges teams to build UAVs, develop strategies and apply navigation, sensing, and autonomous control technologies.

Inspired by missions such as aerial refueling, emergency transport and clean energy delivery for smart cities, the competition requires participants to complete a series of demanding tasks in a head-to-head environment.

The prize pool includes a first prize worth VND200 million (US$7,570), a second prize of VND100 million ($3,780), a third prize of VND80 million ($3,030) and five consolation prizes of VND30 million ($1,130) each. Registration is available at https://uavcup.vn.

The launch of the contest comes as many countries worldwide are heavily investing in the low-altitude economy, an emerging field that leverages UAVs and smart technologies.

UAVs are increasingly becoming pillars across industries, from automated delivery, agricultural monitoring and search-and-rescue operations to medical transport, manufacturing automation and environmental monitoring.

Beyond being high-tech devices, UAVs take on dangerous tasks in hazardous and extreme environments, helping address global challenges and improve quality of life.

Vietnam has identified science, technology and innovation as a cornerstone of national development.

Strategic policies and resolutions highlight mastering core technologies in UAVs, robotics and AI-driven devices as essential for the country’s competitiveness.

These policies also aim to strengthen collaboration between the state, academia and businesses to build a robust innovation ecosystem in the digital era.