The Wind Tunnel model, developed by the Center for Science Discovery and Innovation under the Gia Lai Department of Science and Technology, allows students and the public to directly observe phenomena such as lift, drag and airflow. The project forms part of the province’s long-term strategy to build scientific human resources and promote emerging high-technology sectors.
Wind tunnels, first developed in the early 20th century, have been central to the evolution of aviation and aerospace engineering. They are widely used by leading research and manufacturing institutions to test wing designs and optimise aerodynamic performance, and are also applied in automotive engineering and architectural design. In Vietnam, however, access to such equipment has largely been limited to small, simplified models used for university teaching.
Against that backdrop, the Gia Lai model has attracted attention for being independently designed and manufactured locally. The project is the result of collaboration between Lê Quang Thủy, a specialist at the centre; Dr Bùi Văn Tuấn, a lecturer in aerospace engineering at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi; and their students.
The wind tunnel serves two main purposes: supporting basic university-level research and providing interactive science experiences for visitors. Users can assume the role of a pilot, adjusting controls to explore concepts such as Bernoulli’s principle, angle of attack, lift and drag.
“What makes this model unique is that, for the first time, a fully functional aerodynamic simulation device has been built locally for both public engagement and student research,” Thủy said.
The system measures 600 x 2,400 x 1,200 mm and features a steel-aluminium frame. Like standard wind tunnels, it comprises an intake chamber, test chamber, compression chamber and a three-phase jet fan. The transparent test chamber allows direct observation of scale models, while sensors continuously transmit data on wind speed, altitude, angle of attack, lift and drag to a computer for display and storage.
A control panel with adjustment levers and a simulation screen styled like an Airbus A320 cockpit is designed to create an immersive learning experience. Wind speeds can be varied from zero to about 80 km/h, sufficient to demonstrate core aerodynamic relationships. The data are generated through software simulation and compared with computational fluid dynamics results to refine performance.
During a recent demonstration, Bùi Minh Hiển, an aerospace student interning at the centre, adjusted the angle of attack as airflow passed through the test chamber, causing a model wing to vibrate and lift. He said seeing the response in real time helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.
According to the centre, the model meets requirements for basic aerodynamic training and STEM education, and is the most comprehensive public-education device of its kind in Vietnam.
The wind tunnel is one of the centre’s flagship projects for 2025. Nguyễn Trần Quang Sơn, the centre’s deputy director, said it reflects a commitment to innovation, science popularisation and alignment with provincial development priorities.
Since opening in 2022, the centre has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors annually. New interactive models, science shows and STEM products are being developed as part of a broader effort to upgrade its exhibition system. A key longer-term goal is a proposed provincial centre for space science and technology research, which could become the first specialised facility of its kind in the Central and Central Highlands regions.
At the local level, officials say the wind tunnel demonstrates growing technical self-reliance and gives young people in Gia Lai early exposure to aerospace concepts, helping lay the groundwork for a future high-tech workforce.