The Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge 2026 (VAIC 2026) finals are scheduled for 17-19/7 at the FPT Building in Pham Van Bach, Hanoi. This event is part of the broader Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026 framework, collaboratively organized by the National Innovation Center (NIC), Meta Group, AI for Vietnam Foundation, FPT Group, and Duy Tan University.

Tran Viet Hung, founder and CEO of AI for Vietnam, stated that this marks the first time Vietnam is launching a competition simultaneously with global counterparts. He emphasized, "This is a golden opportunity for Vietnamese people to master AI and build global products." Thao Griffiths, Meta Group's Public Policy Director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar, shared, "Meta is proud to partner with this competition, contributing to Vietnam's evolution from an AI-ready nation to an AI innovation community."

VAIC 2026 is designed as a national-scale AI-native hackathon, focusing on developing AI applications from real-world problems. These challenges span various sectors, including finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics, public services, enterprise operations, and regional language processing. Over 48 hours, teams will build prototypes under the guidance of a network of domestic and international mentors and experts. This competition occurs as Vietnam actively promotes scientific and technological development, innovation, and digital transformation, recognizing AI as a strategic national digital technology.

As of 13/7, the program has recorded nearly 2,000 registrations, with over 300 teams finalizing their rosters, including international contestants. Before the finals, teams completed a 5-week bootcamp focusing on AI-native product development. Experts from Google Research, Stanford, NVIDIA, Meta, and other technology companies guided the participants. A key highlight of VAIC 2026 is its challenge system, based on the real-world needs of businesses and organizations, aiming for post-competition implementation.

Representatives from co-organizing units at the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge 2026 program announcement ceremony. *Photo: Organizers*

The judging panel comprises numerous AI and digital transformation experts: Nguyen Thi Ngoc Trang, Acting Director of the National Institute of Digital Technology and Digital Transformation; Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Truong Thang, Director of the Institute of Information Technology; Professor Doctor of Science Ho Tu Bao, Director of the Data Science Laboratory (VIASM), Duy Tan University; Doctor William Tjhi, Head of AI Products at AI Singapore; and Associate Professor Doctor Vu Xuan Son (Sonny Vu), Lund University (Sweden), founder of DeepTensor AB. The mentoring team supporting the competition includes experts from McKinsey, VinUniversity, Stanford University, and various technology companies.

The VAIC judging panel features Doctor William Tjhi (left), Head of AI Products at AI Singapore, and Associate Professor Doctor Vu Xuan Son (Sonny Vu), Lund University (Sweden). *Photo: Organizers*

VAIC 2026 offers a total prize value of 1.6 billion VND. This includes a first prize worth 10,000 USD (approximately 263 million VND), a second prize of 5,000 USD (approximately 131.5 million VND), and a third prize of 1,000 USD (approximately 26.3 million VND), along with several specialized awards sponsored by Meta, SHB, and FPT. Beyond cash prizes, outstanding teams will have opportunities to participate in a research program in Sweden, develop solutions with AI Singapore (AISG) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), compete in the Vietnam AI Stars finals in Silicon Valley, connect with the National Innovation Center's (NIC) innovation ecosystem, and access collaboration opportunities from Meta Group, SHB Bank, and FPT Group.

The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by current and former state leaders, representatives from domestic and international organizations, AI experts, and representatives from Vietnamese businesses. At the ceremony, speakers will discuss strategies for developing Vietnam's AI ecosystem, international cooperation, digital infrastructure, open-source AI, human resource development, and applying AI to solve practical problems.

Within the program's framework, the National Innovation Center (NIC) will launch the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad (IAIO 2027). This marks the first time Vietnam will host a specialized international AI Olympiad for high school students, university students, and the global AI community. The organizers state that the competition aims to connect AI human resources with business needs, promote the development of practical AI applications, and contribute to expanding Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

Yen Chi

Finals Program Information:

Time: 17-19/7

Location: FPT Building, 10 Pham Van Bach, Cau Giay ward, Hanoi

Website: www.vietnamaichallenge.com

Media Contact for Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge 2026 Organizers: Phuong Nguyen - Project Manager

Email: phuongnq@aiforvietnam.org

Phone: 0988 472 901