This year's tournament promises to be highly competitive, with 32 teams selected from among nearly 100 teams from 23 universities and colleges nationwide.

With its theme of Robominton, the contest involves a badminton doubles game. The two robots are programmed to hit the shuttle back and forth between them.

The longer the rally continues, the more exciting the game becomes. The robots can even make an eye-popping jumping smash.

The winners of the contest will represent Viet Nam at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Robot Contest, scheduled to take place in Indonesia from August 16 to 20.

The 14th Viet Nam Robocon is sponsored by Toyota Viet Nam and Viet Nam Television. All matches in the final round will be broadcast live on the VTV2 channel.

Speaking at the ceremony, which took place at the Can Tho Sport Complex, head of the contest's organising board, Pham Viet Tien, who is also deputy general director of Viet Nam Television, said the Robocon had nurtued a passion for science among talented students in the past 13 years.

"Many generations of students who participated in the Robocon continue to contribute to other fields of science," he said.

"Robocon has motivated many young people to reach their dream of conquering new scientific achievements," he said.

After the opening ceremony, eight teams competed with each other. Other teams will vie until Sunday.

Last year, Viet Nam won the Asia-Pacific robotics contest for the fourth time after beating Japan in the final in India. The winners were from Lac Hong University in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Through a series of rigorous contests, Robocon aims to promote the exchange of experience in engineering and information technology among young talents from different nations and cultural backgrounds, who will become leading professionals in the 21st century.

The event also enhances public interest in the engineering profession among tertiary institutions and secondary school students, and build awareness of engineering concepts and information technology through television coverage.

The first Robocon was held in Tokyo in 2002. 

VNS