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DNO - Viet Nam will host the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) for first time, with the 2026 edition scheduled to take place in Ha Noi from September 25 to October 5.
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IOAA 2026 is expected to bring together 66 countries and territories around the world, represented by 67 teams.
The field includes 65 international teams and two teams from Viet Nam. With 320 official contestants, the competition will see an increase of nearly 100 participants compared with previous editions.
The event brings together high school students from around the world to compete in astronomy and astrophysics. It also provides a platform for academic exchange, scientific interaction and international cooperation.
First held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007, the IOAA has become an international competition for young students with an interest in astronomy and astrophysics.
Hosting the 2026 edition marks a new milestone for Viet Nam’s participation in the international academic community.
The tests will be prepared in English. Team leaders will translate the papers under the IOAA’s professional and confidentiality procedures.
Results, medals, awards and certificates will be reviewed and approved by the international board and jury in accordance with IOAA regulations.
A larger stage for young scientific talent at IOAA 2026 will also feature specialised equipment and infrastructure, including Sky-Watcher BK P15075 EQ3 telescopes and a planetarium with a 16-metre dome. The facility uses Sony GTZ380 projectors and SkyExplorer software.
The competition will also use Olympify for marking. After the opening ceremony, contestants will hand over mobile phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches and other wireless communication devices to their team leaders.
The management and use of such equipment during the competition will follow IOAA regulations and instructions from the organisers.
Following the event's rule, 60 percent of competitors will bring home prizes including gold, silver and bronze medals, certificates and special awards.
In addition to tests, the organising board will also hold a cultural exchange for participants. They will take part in city tours to visit Ha Noi's famous landmarks, such as the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature and the Bat Trang Ceramic Village.
Viet Nam is expected to field 10 students selected under regulations issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training.
The country first joined the IOAA in 2016 in India. Since then, its teams, with many students from Ha Noi, have achieved strong results at competitions hosted in Thailand, China, Hungary, Colombia, Georgia, Poland and Brazil.
Hosting IOAA 2026 also gives Ha Noi an opportunity to present itself to international participants as a peaceful, safe and welcoming city, as well as a destination with a distinctive cultural identity.
For Viet Nam, the event brings young scientific talent, international academic exchange and global cooperation to the same stage, creating a valuable opportunity to strengthen its engagement with the international science community.