The 2026 Gia Lai Province Youth Informatics Contest concluded on June 4 at Quy Nhon University after two days of competition, showcasing strong programming performance and a range of student-developed technology projects aimed at solving real-world problems.
According to the judging panel, this year’s contest demonstrated notable improvements in professional quality across multiple categories. In Group A, the programming category for primary school students, 14 contestants scored 400 points or higher and 27 scored above 300 points.
In Group B for lower secondary students, seven contestants achieved at least 300 points, while 34 scored more than 200 points. Judges noted that the narrow score margins among top contestants reflected both intense competition and a high overall standard.
In Group C1, the programming category for specialized upper secondary schools, two teams scored more than 400 points, six exceeded 300 points and 10 surpassed 200 points. In Group C2 for non-specialized upper secondary students, seven contestants achieved at least 400 points and 14 scored over 300 points.
The first prize in Group C1 was awarded to Phạm Minh Quân and Nguyễn Thanh Bình, students from Hung Vuong Specialized High School.
Quân said the specialized category required advanced algorithmic thinking and the ability to apply complex algorithms under pressure. Contestants were tasked with solving five problems within two hours and 30 minutes.
“We spent about a month practicing together, discussing approaches to different types of problems and developing strategies for optimal teamwork under time constraints”, Quân said. “Before the contest, we agreed to divide tasks based on each person’s strengths, and for the more difficult problems, we would collaborate to find the most effective solutions”.
While the programming categories focused on information technology skills, Groups M1 and M2 tested logical and mathematical reasoning.
Cao Phong, a fifth-grade student at Ngo May Primary School and winner of first prize in Group M1, said extensive preparation played a key role in his success.
“I often look for logical math problems online to become familiar with different types of questions,” Phong said. “This type of math requires not only knowledge of formulas but also observation, analysis and the ability to identify patterns.”
The contest also featured creative product categories for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary students, where teams presented and defended their projects directly before judges.
Participants introduced products incorporating artificial intelligence, sensor technology, image recognition and real-time data processing to address issues including support for people with disabilities, skill development for children with autism, flood and disaster warnings, alerts for children left in vehicles and school management solutions.
The only project to receive first prize among the creative product categories was “Learning Traffic Safety Laws,” developed by Nguyễn Lân Nhật and Nguyễn Thanh Hà, students at Sao Viet Primary-Secondary-High School.
Nhật said the project was inspired by concerns that many students lack sufficient knowledge and practical skills related to road safety.
The team created a website featuring video lessons, interactive quizzes, real-life traffic scenarios and educational games designed to help students learn traffic laws in a more engaging way.
“We spent about 10 months completing the website”, Nhật said. “In addition to creating content and learning programming ourselves, we received support from teachers and professional guidance from local traffic police to ensure accuracy”.
Nguyễn Lân Nhật and Nguyễn Thanh Hà present their product to the judging panel. Photo: Provided by Organizers
According to Nhật, the website has already been used in several school activities and has received positive feedback from students, encouraging the team to continue developing the platform.
Nguyễn Chí Hiếu speaks at the contest’s closing ceremony. Photo: D.L
“The contest not only provides an environment for students to interact, learn, and unleash their creativity, but also helps discover and nurture those with talent in informatics, logical thinking, and technological innovation. This is a practical activity to build a high-quality young workforce, meeting the demands of digital transformation and the province’s development needs in the coming period,” emphasized Nguyễn Chí Hiếu, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Head of the contest organizing committee.
At the end of the contest, the organizers awarded 7 first prizes, 18 second prizes, 20 third prizes, and 27 consolation prizes to individuals and teams across 9 categories.
In the programming section, first prize in Group A went to Lương Văn Quyến (class 5D, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Primary School, Chư Prông Commune); Group B to Đỗ An Dương (class 9A1, Hoai Huong Secondary School, Hoai Nhon Dong Ward); Group C1 to the team of Phạm Minh Quân (class 11C3) and Nguyễn Thanh Bình (class 11C8), Hung Vuong Specialized High School, Dien Hong Ward; and Group C2 to Vũ Thành Luân (class 11A8, Quang Trung High School No. 1, Tay Son Commune).
In the logical and algorithmic math section, first prize in Group M1 went to Cao Phong (class 5D, Ngo May Primary School, Quy Nhon Nam Ward); Group M2 to Nguyễn Đăng Khôi (class 9A2, Phuoc Thanh Secondary School, Tuy Phuoc Tay Commune).
In the creative product section, first prize in Group D2 went to the team of Nguyễn Lân Nhật (class 8A4) and Nguyễn Thanh Hà (class 8A4), Sao Viet Primary, Secondary, and High School, Pleiku Ward. No first prizes were awarded in Groups D1 and D3.
After the contest, the organizers will select top-performing contestants for further training and participation in regional and national competitions.
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Pleiku Library has significantly expanded its efforts to cultivate a reading culture among students in western Gia Lai, reaching tens of thousands of young readers through school programmes, mobile libraries and digital platforms.
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Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted held its first-ever “Hung Vuong Robotic Competition” on April 12, 2026, bringing together 10 student teams from grades 10 and 11 in a showcase of technical skill, creativity and teamwork.
FPT University’s Quy Nhon campus on April 12 hosted its 2026 job fair, bringing together more than 30 businesses to connect students with employers and expand career opportunities in the digital economy.
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