Held from December 18 – 21, 2026, in Beijing, China, the VEX Robotics Asia Open 2025 brought together more than 3,500 students from 600 teams, representing nearly 30 countries and territories. In a highly competitive arena featuring top teams from China, South Korea, Singapore, and beyond, 4 talented “engineers” from WASS – Nguyen Dinh Minh Tuan, Nguyen Huy Thuong, Le Minh Thien Tri, and Wu Minh Hao – made an impressive mark by achieving outstanding results in their very first appearance at Asia’s premier robotics competition.
What enabled these WASSers to maintain their confidence and composure while standing strong against formidable international opponents? Was success driven solely by programming skills, robot design expertise, or sharp strategic thinking?
In reality, the key to success lies not only in technology but also in the values within each student – their resilience under pressure, adaptability in dynamic situations, and the power of teamwork shared by a group united by passion. Each member brought a unique journey, shaped by trial and error, the challenge of balancing academics with personal interests, and steady growth through every obstacle encountered.
To better understand these distinctive impacts, let us hear the inspiring reflections from these 4 talented “engineers”, before they continue their journey toward the VEX Robotics World Championship 2026 in the United States.
For WASSer Le Minh Thien Tri, participating in the competition was far from an easy decision, as he had to balance the demanding schedule of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) with long hours of practice. He shared: “Every experience is an opportunity to push beyond my limits, and VEX Robotics taught me that failure is not the end, but an essential part of learning. From moments when the robot didn’t work as expected to narrow defeats, I learned patience, how to analyze mistakes, and how to improve step by step. More importantly, I came to truly appreciate the value of teamwork and effective communication in a group project.”
Like Tri, each member arrived at VEX Robotics with a story uniquely their own. WASSer Nguyen Dinh Minh Tuan reflected: “I would sum up my journey at the recent competition in 3 words: passion, growth, and breakthrough. My motivation came from a strong interest in technology and engineering, especially the chance to personally design 3D models, assemble structures, and program robots to complete missions in the field.
Through continuous experimentation and a mindset of perseverance in the face of failure, I gradually refined my ideas, developed my way of thinking, and saw this achievement as a milestone marking my personal breakthrough.”
Meanwhile, WASSer Nguyen Huy Thuong viewed the experience as a lesson in belief and inner strength: “At this competition, many Vietnamese teams felt that Chinese teams were extremely strong and nearly unbeatable. However, I wanted to challenge myself by facing the pressure of such a major competition. The phrase “defeated before the match even begins” reminded me that maintaining a strong mindset and belief in victory is essential; I must not lose confidence in front of formidable opponents.”
For WASSer Wu Minh Hao, the journey was defined by lasting emotions and invaluable lessons: “At the competition, we achieved results that exceeded our expectations, bringing us great joy and a deep sense of satisfaction after a long period of preparation and relentless effort.
Following this competition, our team aims to maintain our momentum while continuously improving both our robot and our competition skills, with the goal of conquering the Skills Challenge at the upcoming National Championship. The tournament in Beijing will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for our future progress.”
Success at the VEX Robotics Asia Open 2025 is only the beginning. The excitement and pride of representing Vietnam on the world stage, combined with the students’ unwavering determination, serve as the fuel for the journeys ahead. They are continuing to write their dreams, not only for themselves, but also inspiring the entire WASS community to believe that every dream can begin with a small idea in the classroom or a simple passion, and grow through the courage to try, to fail, and to break through.
Let us celebrate and look forward to the next milestones of these brave “lions” of WASS at the upcoming VEX Robotics World Championship!
