Hanoi Holds Press Conference on the Organization and Activities of IOAA 2026

The 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2026) will take place in Hanoi from September 25 to October 5, 2026. The event is organized under the direction of the Hanoi People’s Committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International IOAA Council, and relevant agencies and organizations. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training serves as the lead coordinating agency, working with relevant departments and sectors. Phenikaa University is the main venue for the Olympiad’s academic and operational activities.

On the morning of September 21, at a press conference on IOAA 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hien, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, said that IOAA 2026 is an international educational and scientific event for high school students. The Olympiad contributes to identifying and nurturing young talent in astronomy and astrophysics, while promoting academic exchange, scientific exchange, and international cooperation.

Hosting the Olympiad is in line with the city’s development orientation in education, science, technology, innovation, and international integration. It also provides an opportunity to introduce Hanoi - a City for Peace, safe, friendly, culturally rich, and welcoming—to international friends.

Comprehensive Preparations Underway

Following the direction of the Hanoi Party Committee and the Hanoi People’s Committee, as well as the consensus of the relevant ministries, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training has worked with Phenikaa University and relevant agencies and organizations to develop the plan for the Olympiad. Although this is the first time Hanoi has hosted a large-scale international science Olympiad such as IOAA, the city and participating organizations have demonstrated a proactive, systematic, and professional approach from the early stages of preparation.

During the site survey from June 29 to July 4, 2026, the inspection delegation of the International IOAA Committee directly examined the infrastructure prepared for the Olympiad. The delegation reviewed facilities for the competition and related activities, including examination rooms, telescopes, technology infrastructure, the planetarium, accommodation facilities, dining areas, and backup locations.

At the conclusion of the inspection, the International IOAA leadership recognized the thorough preparations and highly appreciated the facilities, particularly the Phenikaa Planetarium with its modern equipment and advanced features, as well as the sense of responsibility demonstrated by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and Phenikaa University.

IOAA 2026 will welcome 490 international delegates, including five members of the International IOAA Council and 485 participants, comprising 320 contestants, 124 team leaders, 37 observers, and four guests. The Organizing Committee has worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security to support delegations with visa and entry procedures in accordance with regulations. At the same time, coordinated measures have been put in place to ensure security and public order, fire prevention and firefighting, information security, healthcare, food safety, and emergency response.

Regarding accommodation and logistics, separate arrangements have been made for contestants and delegation officials to meet the requirements for maintaining the seriousness of the competition. Team leaders, jury members, and international experts will stay at Army Hotel, which offers nearly 150 standard rooms and modern conference facilities. For the 320 contestants, the Organizing Committee has arranged safe and well-equipped accommodation at the Phenikaa University Dormitory on campus.

The D6 dining hall at Phenikaa University, with a capacity of more than 500 people, will serve a diverse buffet menu combining international cuisine with Hanoi specialties, with options suitable for vegetarian, dietary, and religious requirements while meeting food safety standards.

In terms of transportation and support resources, vehicles with capacities ranging from 16 to 45 seats have been arranged to provide airport transfers at Noi Bai International Airport and transportation within Hanoi according to dedicated schedules. The Organizing Committee has also officially launched the IOAA 2026 website, email system, and an information group for team leaders to provide updates and guidance on registration, schedules, visas, and organizational requirements.

Nearly 300 personnel will support the Olympiad, including 140 student volunteers accompanying individual delegations, 70 English teachers, 22 examination technicians, and personnel responsible for information technology, reception, and other support services.

Information on the Competition and Exchange Activities

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics was first held in 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. IOAA 2026 in Hanoi marks a significant expansion in scale, bringing together 66 countries and territories with 67 teams (65 international teams and 2 Vietnamese teams), with 320 contestants officially competing, an increase of nearly 100 contestants.

Compared with previous editions, IOAA 2026 differs not only in scale but also in the use of specialized equipment and infrastructure, including Sky-Watcher BK P15075 EQ3 telescopes, a planetarium with a 16-meter-diameter dome, a Sony GTZ380 projection system, SkyExplorer software, and Olympify grading software.

Following the Opening Ceremony, contestants must hand over their mobile phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and other wireless communication devices to their team leaders. The management and use of these devices during the competition will comply with IOAA regulations and the Organizing Committee’s guidelines.

The academic program of the Olympiad includes the following main components (see the attached detailed schedule):

Theoretical Examination: Contestants solve advanced problems in astronomy and astrophysics.

Data Analysis Examination: Contestants analyze, process, and interpret astronomical data.

Observation Examination: This includes a telescope-based examination and an examination at the planetarium. The schedule may be adjusted when necessary due to weather conditions, safety considerations, or academic requirements.

Team Competition: Contestants work together to solve specialized tasks in accordance with IOAA regulations.

The examination papers are prepared in English, and team leaders translate them in accordance with IOAA’s professional and confidentiality procedures. Results, medals, awards, and certificates are reviewed and approved by the International IOAA Council and the Jury in accordance with the IOAA Statutes. With 320 contestants competing this year, approximately 60% are expected to receive awards, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, Honorable Mentions, and special awards.

Vietnam is expected to participate in IOAA 2026 with 10 students selected in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Since its first participation in IOAA in 2016 in India, the Vietnamese team, with Hanoi students forming its core, has consistently achieved strong results at competitions held in Thailand, China, Hungary, Colombia, Georgia, Poland, Brazil, and other countries.

Alongside the competition rounds, the Organizing Committee has arranged cultural exchange activities and visits to Hanoi’s notable heritage sites and destinations, including the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, and Bat Trang Ceramic Village. These activities will give international participants an opportunity to experience Hanoi’s long-standing tradition of learning and its rich cultural heritage.

At the press conference, speaking about the infrastructure and technical preparations for the Olympiad and their role in supporting long-term education, Prof. Dr. Pham Thanh Huy said that Phenikaa Group and Phenikaa University have invested approximately VND 80 billion in the project. More than VND 60 billion of this amount was allocated specifically to the construction of the planetarium. The remaining funding was used to renovate the dormitories and facilities for accommodation, dining, daily activities, and competition within the university campus for international delegations.

Prof. Dr. Pham Thanh Huy emphasized that after the competition, the modern facilities and teaching team developed through the event will continue to support education, provide valuable opportunities for school and university students to visit and gain hands-on experiences, and promote scientific research and innovation.

According to the schedule, the Opening Ceremony will take place at 3:00 PM on September 26, 2026, at Phenikaa University. The competition rounds and cultural exchange activities will be held from September 27 to October 3, 2026. The Closing and Award Ceremony will take place at 3:00 PM on October 4, 2026, at Phenikaa University. The program may be adjusted when necessary due to academic requirements, weather conditions, safety considerations, or organizational needs.

Hanoi is fully prepared in terms of facilities, security, safety, and logistics to deliver an IOAA 2026 that is serious, safe, professional, and welcoming.