The Hanoi People’s Committee held the opening ceremony for the 2026 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) at Phenikaa University in Hanoi on the afternoon of September 26.

This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted the IOAA, following its hosting of the International Mathematical Olympiad in 2007, the International Physics Olympiad in 2008 and the International Chemistry Olympiad in 2014.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau said that in an increasingly turbulent world, science serves as a common language with the power to bring people closer together through knowledge, truth and a spirit of cooperation.

For that reason, he said, the Olympiad carries significance far beyond the competition itself.

“This is not only a competition for outstanding students, but also a forum for young scientists, where students can share knowledge, unlock their potential and gain new experiences,” the deputy prime minister said.

Chau said every space program and every collaborative initiative begins with people - with young minds passionate enough to look up at the sky and ask questions.

“Investing in them today means investing in the future of humanity,” he stressed.

The deputy prime minister said Vietnam considers education and training, science, technology and innovation among its highest national priorities and strategic choices for the country’s future. Identifying young talent, nurturing it and creating an environment in which it can flourish are therefore particularly important, he said.

Chau encouraged the contestants to enter the competition with confidence, integrity and determination, and to give their best in pursuit of the strongest possible results.

“Beyond scores and medals, I also hope you embrace this experience in its fullest sense. The greatest value of this Olympiad lies in the questions it inspires, the ideas that are shared and the friendships that are formed.

You are living in an era of extraordinarily rapid scientific and technological development. Many of today’s boundaries will be surpassed by your generation. The universe still holds unanswered questions, while life continues to need new ways of thinking and people who dare to explore and create,” he said.

The 2026 IOAA is being organized under the direction of the Hanoi People’s Committee in coordination with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the international IOAA board and other relevant organizations.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training is the lead organizer, while Phenikaa University serves as the main venue for the competition’s academic activities and operations.

This year’s Olympiad in Hanoi has drawn participants from 66 countries and territories, represented by 67 teams - 65 international teams and two Vietnamese teams - and a total of 320 contestants, making it the largest edition in the competition’s history.

Vietnam is fielding two teams, whose members are primarily students from specialized high schools.

The competition rounds are scheduled to take place from September 27 through October 3. The closing and awards ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. on October 4.

Thanh Hung