The Cosplay Contest, a highlight of Vietnam GameVerse 2026, targets the community passionate about embodying characters from comics, films, games, and anime. This year, the event gains attention by bringing together a panel of experienced cosplayer judges with both domestic and international experience.

Ha Vi, born in 2000, is a familiar face in the cosplay world. Known for her elegant style, she has participated in many major cosplay festivals. Her personal page boasts nearly 200,000 followers. Beyond cosplay, she also works as a fashion model in Hanoi.

Ha Vi in a recent costume. Photo: NVCC

The community recognizes Hasu Ka for her skill in wig styling and meticulous costume preparation. She frequently appears as a guest and judge at various competitions. Her impeccable style in every outfit makes Hasu Ka a prominent figure on the judging panel for both the preliminary and final rounds.

Cosplayer Hasu Ka. Photo: NVCC

Mion is a cosplayer and streamer, formerly a member of the group SGO48. Her personal page has over 12,000 followers. Mion's cute style, positive energy, and stage performance experience make her popular.

The Cosplay Contest is open to individuals and groups residing in Vietnam. The contest has two categories: individual and team. In the individual category, each contestant may have a maximum of two logistics assistants who do not participate in the performance. The team category is for groups of two to eight members.

Cosplayer and streamer Mion is a preliminary round judge for the Cosplay Contest. Photo: NVCC

The competition unfolds in three stages: online registration from 6/3 to 5/4. Online voting will run from 9/4 to 23/4, with the top 5 from each category announced on 28/4. Finalists will perform live on stage on 9/5, as part of Vietnam Game Day - Vietnam GameVerse 2026.

Judging criteria focus on character accuracy, stage expression, and performance content. Costumes, accessories, props, and stage effects also crucially determine the outcome.

Besides the Cosplay Contest, Vietnam GameVerse 2026 includes several activities such as: dialogues with industry experts at the forum, exploring Wonderland booths, and the finals of the Vietnam Game Awards.

This year, the organizing committee has also added professional esports tournaments like the Southeast Asia Esports Cup and the FC Mobile Invitation Cup 2026, while expanding the scale of the business-to-business (B2B) and independent game developer areas.

The event, themed "Do Local - Go Global", is expected to attract over 50,000 participants. The Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, VnExpress newspaper, and the Vietnam Game Alliance jointly organize the program.

Thai Anh