Houston – The Việt Cultural Fest is returning to Houston for its fifth year, and this time, there’s a new addition to the celebration: student robotics.
The festival, which has grown into the largest Vietnamese festival in Texas, is expected to draw 10,000 or more people on Sept. 12. Along with food, entertainment, cultural activities and contests, this year’s event will introduce robotics as a way to connect younger generations with science, technology and innovation.
Students from St. Thomas Episcopal are among those bringing the technology to life at the festival. Brothers Aaryan and Imaad Memon are part of a FIRST Tech Challenge team, with Aaryan, 17, serving as the main driver and Imaad, 15, working on building, fabrication, 3D printing and other technical aspects.
Their competition robot took about two months to develop through a process of designing, testing, taking it apart and trying again.
The robot features specialized wheels that allow it to move in multiple directions, along with a series of mechanisms designed to pick up and move game pieces. During the Houston Life demonstration, the robot successfully picked up and launched a ball.
The festival’s new robotics component will also give attendees a chance to see firsthand how students are using STEM skills to solve problems and build something from the ground up.
Việt Cultural Fest 2026 takes place Saturday, Sept. 12, at Reliant Center. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will feature more than a dozen contests, traditional games, cultural exhibits, food, live performances and other activities.
Tickets are $15 for general admission for ages 4 and older, with discounted admission available for seniors and groups.