On July 17, the National Innovation Center (NIC), in partnership with Meta, AI for Vietnam and other partners, officially launched the Vietnam Innovation Challenge (VIC) 2026 alongside the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (IAIO) 2027.

According to Vu Quoc Huy, Director of the National Innovation Center, the Vietnam Innovation Challenge has been held annually since 2022 and has been recognized by the White House as a flagship initiative in technology and innovation cooperation between Vietnam and the United States.

A 48-hour AI-native hackathon

The finals of the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge 2026 (VAIC 2026) are taking place in Hanoi from July 17 to 19, featuring a large-scale AI-native hackathon that runs continuously for 48 hours.

More than 200 leading technology experts from organizations including Meta, FPT, SHB Bank, McKinsey, AI Singapore and government agencies are serving on the judging panel and evaluating teams throughout the competition.

As of publication, the competition had attracted nearly 2,500 official registrations representing more than 300 teams.

The participation of contestants from 12 countries highlights the growing international connectivity of Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

According to the organizers, VAIC 2026 focuses on solving operational challenges through problem statements commissioned directly by businesses and industry.

The competition covers eight key sectors:

Healthcare
Education
Disaster prevention
Innovation
SME productivity
Smart government
Agriculture
Banking and finance

This year's practical challenges were designed in collaboration with major Vietnamese enterprises, including the Vietnam Rubber Industry Group and the Vietnam Railways Corporation, reflecting the pressing issues organizations face in digital transformation, green transition and AI adoption.

AI designed for real-world impact

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Benjamin Embury, Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, encouraged participants to think beyond the competition itself.

"You are not simply taking part in a competition - you are helping shape Vietnam's future. The ideas you develop over the next 48 hours could become companies, research projects or solutions that improve the lives of millions of people."

He reaffirmed the United States' commitment to strengthening its partnership with Vietnam in promoting innovation, expanding opportunities and ensuring technology serves people while supporting shared prosperity.

Tran Viet Hung, Co-founder and CEO of AI for Vietnam, highlighted three defining features of this year's competition.

First, every challenge comes directly from real business needs.

Second, the entire competition is operated through an AI-native platform, with artificial intelligence supporting every stage of the event.

Third, participants receive support that extends well beyond the hackathon itself—from training workshops and mentorship to opportunities for commercial deployment and international expansion.

Contestants are also connected directly with experienced experts from Silicon Valley, Europe, Singapore and China.

From ideas to market-ready solutions

According to Do Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Board and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SHB Bank, the greatest value of the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge lies in connecting technology with practical applications.

He said the competition aims to transform data into knowledge, ideas into products and innovation capacity into tangible value for society.

As one of the program's corporate partners, SHB hopes not only to apply artificial intelligence within its own operations but also to become a customer, development partner, testing environment and market launch platform for promising AI solutions.

More than $80,000 in total prizes

With a total prize pool exceeding VND 2.1 billion (US$80,800), VAIC 2026 offers comprehensive financial support and digital resources for promising projects.

The top awards include:

First Prize: US$10,000 
Second Prize: US$5,000 
Third Prize: US$1,000 

Winning teams will also receive certificates of merit from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, while additional awards will be presented by partners including Meta, SHB, FPT and AI Singapore.

Vietnam to host International AI Olympiad

During the event, the National Innovation Center, together with UNESCO, RIVA and other partners, officially launched the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (IAIO) 2027.

The event will mark the first time Vietnam hosts an international Olympiad dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence, representing another milestone in the country's integration into the global AI ecosystem.

Jointly organized by NIC, UNESCO and several international AI research institutes, IAIO 2027 will target high school students, university students and the broader global AI community, aiming to identify and nurture emerging AI talent while strengthening international collaboration.

The competition will take place in Da Nang from February 25 to March 2, 2027, and is expected to attract around 300 contestants from more than 40 countries and territories.

Vietnam's national preliminary round is scheduled to begin on October 18, with competitions held across multiple localities.

The national final is expected to take place in Hanoi on January 10, 2027.

Du Lam