One day in late September, Nguyen Quoc Dat (Dong Thap) read on VnExpress about the Aves Future Mobility Challenge 2026, a competition seeking electric motorcycle design ideas suitable for Vietnamese people. Finding it interesting, he told his mother, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, 84, about it and playfully asked if she had any ideas to enter.

The initial question was merely exploratory. Neither Dat nor his mother had expertise in design or mechanics. But after a moment of thought, Thuy replied, "It's just for design ideas, isn't it?"

"So, do you have any ideas, mom?" Dat asked again. "Yes!" she answered.

That reply became the genesis of the Aves Nonla concept vehicle, entry code AVES0107 by author Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy.

Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, the author behind the Aves Nonla electric motorcycle concept. *Photo: provided by subject*

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Idea born from daily sun and rain

Thuy was born in 1942 and is a war martyr's wife. According to Dat, his mother remains healthy, regularly reads newspapers, contributes articles, and has won awards in several writing competitions. Her son encourages her to maintain these activities to keep her mind active.

When asked about an electric motorcycle for Vietnamese people, Thuy did not start with complex technologies. The 84-year-old woman focused on a common experience for motorcyclists: sun and sudden rain showers.

The electric motorcycle concept draws inspiration from Vietnam's conical hat. *Photo: Organizers*

Her idea was to create an electric motorcycle with a canopy. This component, however, is not merely an overhead shield, but is shaped like a 'non la' (conical hat) – an image she finds feminine and distinctly Vietnamese.

Dat found his mother's idea interesting. The mother and son began discussions, and the entry was subsequently named Aves Nonla. According to the description, the vehicle targets older adults, women, students, and daily urban commuting needs. The detachable 'non la'-shaped canopy aims to reduce the effects of sun and rain while maintaining visibility for the rider.

The canopy's rim is envisioned with a water drainage channel. Beyond a two-wheeled vehicle, the concept could also be developed as a three-wheeled structure, offering convenience for older adults or individuals with disabilities. Thuy transformed a traditional Vietnamese image, the conical hat, from a headwear item into a structural part of the electric motorcycle.

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First time using AI

Content writing was not the most time-consuming part for the mother and son. Dat stated that his mother had a relatively clear vision of the main idea. The subsequent task primarily involved presenting it according to the competition's specific categories. The greater challenge was generating images to help viewers visualize what the electric vehicle with its 'non la'-shaped canopy would look like.

The mother and son decided to use ChatGPT to transform the idea into images, marking the first time both Dat and his mother had accessed and utilized an AI tool.

The concept vehicle rendered using an AI tool. *Photo: Organizers*

He recounted that after about one session of experimentation, his mother selected three favorite images: an older woman in an 'ao dai' (traditional Vietnamese dress) sitting on the Aves Nonla electric motorcycle in Hanoi, Hue, and TP HCM. The use of AI was also openly declared by the author in the submission, as per competition rules.

This approach made an idea, which initially only existed as a verbal description, much more visual. The 84-year-old woman did not need to know how to use rendering software or industrial design tools to depict the vehicle she envisioned. From three Vietnamese settings, Thuy hopes the 'non la'-themed vehicle could appear in many places worldwide, which is also why the submission's narrative is framed as a journey from Vietnam to the world.

The author stated that winning a prize was not her primary goal; rather, she wanted the idea to garner attention from the organizers and would even be one of the first to purchase the vehicle if Nonla becomes a reality.

The concept vehicle depicted in a TP HCM setting. *Photo: Organizers*

Aves Nonla is currently still a concept, with many technical issues requiring research for practical implementation. However, the journey of creating this entry demonstrates that new technology is not exclusively for the young. For Thuy, it began with a son's question and a very familiar daily need.

Quang Anh

The Aves Future Mobility Challenge 2026 is a competition seeking vehicle design ideas suitable for Vietnamese people, with a total prize value of up to 265 million dong. The competition emphasizes novel, bold ideas and does not restrict design methods, including AI, rather than focusing solely on professional designers.

Organizers are accepting submissions until October 27th. Community voting will be open from October 28th to November 4th. The organizers anticipate awarding prizes on December 5th in Hanoi.

The competition is organized by Aves Green Technology and Energy Joint Stock Company, which focuses on three areas: smart electric vehicles, renewable energy, and IoT devices. In the vehicle sector, Aves plans to develop two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and electric bicycle models, with an anticipated launch in early 2027.

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