Launching the first national-scale AI-native hackathon.

On May 28th, at the National Innovation Center (NIC), the Viet Nam AI Innovation Challenge was announced – an activity within the framework of the Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026 program.

Báo Đại biểu Nhân dân•28/05/2026

From usage to construction with AI

The program is jointly organized by the National Innovation Center (NIC), Meta Group, AI for Vietnam (AIV), and Duy Tan University.

According to the organizers, this is the first time Vietnam has held a national-scale AI-native hackathon. The event was designed to address the urgent need for personnel capable of creating practical AI products in the context of artificial intelligence transforming the entire global product development chain, from ideation and design to operation.

The organizing unit presented the memorandum of understanding at the program launch ceremony.

Unlike traditional programming competitions, participants not only write code but also directly build AI products that solve business problems in real time.

The event is expected to bring together 2,000-3,000 programmers and young people. The program begins with a journey on two Thong Nhat trains from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang (July 16th). The approximately 12-hour journey will become a space for networking, team formation, and idea development before the 48-hour official competition (July 17-19).

Speaking at the program's launch ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Linh, Head of Investment Promotion and Strategic Technology at the National Innovation Center, stated that the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge aims to become a platform connecting Vietnam's AI capabilities with practical development challenges faced by businesses and localities. Through the program, challenges in manufacturing, logistics, public services, education , healthcare, and smart cities will be opened up for the AI community to participate in solving with solutions that can be implemented in practice.

"We expect the program to not only accelerate the application of AI in the economy more quickly and effectively, but also contribute to the development of a practical AI workforce, promote open innovation, and enhance national competitiveness in the AI era."

Connecting and developing human resources in the industry.

The contestants' advisory board consists of international artificial intelligence experts, engineers, and researchers from Google Research, Stanford University, TikTok, NVIDIA, Instagram, and many other leading AI companies worldwide. The programmers receive months of training and networking with experts beforehand, ensuring the quality of the products created during the competition.

According to the organizers, this is the first time Vietnam has hosted a national-scale AI-native hackathon.

The entire process, from team selection and scoring to post-event networking, operates on an AI platform built by the organizers. Winning teams will be directly connected with partner businesses to sign pilot contracts or collaborate on product development in a real-world environment. They will also have the opportunity to attend the Vietnam AI Stars finals in Silicon Valley and visit the headquarters of major technology corporations such as Google, Microsoft, TikTok, and Netflix.

According to Mr. Tran Viet Hung, Founder and CEO of AI for Vietnam, the significance of the competition lies in connecting and developing human resources in the AI industry. Mr. Hung stated that AI development depends on three foundations: policy mechanisms, infrastructure, and human resources. Regarding policy mechanisms, we have Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Based on this, infrastructure is increasingly being invested in and developed. As for human resources, events like the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge help participants equip themselves with the mindset and practical skills to build innovative startups with AI.

"When young Vietnamese people are placed in the right environment to test their skills and practice, it will help improve their abilities and contribute to the national AI development roadmap," said Mr. Tran Viet Hung.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/khoi-dong-hackathon-ai-native-quy-mo-quoc-gia-dau-tien-10418443.html