On the morning of September 25, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), in collaboration with the Center for Young Science and Technology Development, hosted the Semi-Finals, Finals, and Awarding Ceremony of the 2026 Post-Harvest Technology Competition. The event brought together numerous experts, scientists, lecturers, contestants, and research teams to advance innovative scientific and technological solutions with strong practical applicability in processing, preserving, and enhancing the value of agricultural and food products.

The event gathered a large gathering of experts, scientists, lecturers, contestants, and research teams to promote innovative scientific and technological solutions for agricultural and food processing and preservation.

Distinguished guests from Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade included Meritorious Teacher Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoan – President of the University. Representing the Center for Young Science and Technology Development was Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai Truc, Deputy Director of the Center.

The event was also honored by the presence of Prof. Dr. Dong Thi Anh Dao – Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering; Dr. Do Viet Ha – Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Chemical Society; Dr. Le Minh Hung – Director of the Sub-Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology in Ho Chi Minh City, alongside members of the Organizing Committee, the Board of Judges, faculty advisors, contestants, parents, and representatives from media outlets.

A Science and Technology Platform for Innovative Ideas

Jointly organized by the Center for Young Science and Technology Development and Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, the 2026 Post-Harvest Technology Competition aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and academic networking, while discovering breakthrough technological ideas and products capable of addressing real-world challenges in agriculture and food industries.

This year's competition featured 82 entries, with 45 projects in Category A and 37 projects in Category B. Category A focused on processing technologies and solutions, whereas Category B emphasized post-harvest agricultural and food preservation solutions.

During the Semi-Final round, projects were showcased through scientific posters, where authors presented their concepts, models, products, and technical workflows directly to the Board of Judges. Outstanding entries advanced to the Final round to deliver oral presentations and defend their projects before the panel. The judging panel evaluated entries across rigorous criteria, including scientific rigor, technological novelty, creativity, product quality, stage of development, and potential for practical application and scalability.

The Scientific Council comprised distinguished experts and researchers from top universities, research institutes, and professional organizations, including Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering, Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, VNUHCM-University of Science, VNUHCM-HCMUT, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Nong Lam University Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Chemical Society, and the Sub-Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology.

Delivering his closing remarks, Meritorious Teacher Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hoan – President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, offered a comprehensive review of the competition and praised the dedication of the Organizing Committee, judges, faculty advisors, and student researchers throughout their research journey.

At the ceremony, the Organizing Committee presented commemorative gifts to express gratitude to the Board of Judges. With their deep domain expertise and sense of responsibility, the judges provided rigorous evaluations, constructive critique, and invaluable guidance to help teams refine their products and chart future development pathways.

Honoring Outstanding Achievements

A major highlight of the ceremony was the announcement and presentation of awards for the 2026 Post-Harvest Technology Competition. The Organizing Committee conferred Consolation Prizes, Third Prizes, Second Prizes, and First Prizes upon contestants and research teams with exceptional projects.

In addition to the official awards evaluated by the judging panel, the competition hosted an Online Poster Voting Contest to showcase innovative post-harvest solutions to the public, fostering engagement and broader connection with the scientific community.