Hanoi Holds Press Briefing on the Organisation and Activities of IOAA 2026

The 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2026) will take place in Hanoi from 25 September to 5 October 2026. The event is held 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 IOAA International Board and relevant agencies and organisations. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training serves as the lead coordinating agency, working with municipal departments and agencies, while Phenikaa University is the main venue for the Olympiad’s academic and operational activities.

At the press briefing on IOAA 2026 on the morning of 21 September, Nguyen Van Hien, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and Standing Deputy Head of the IOAA 2026 Organising Committee, said that IOAA 2026 is an international educational and scientific event for secondary-school students. The Olympiad aims to identify and nurture young talent in astronomy and astrophysics while promoting academic exchange, scientific dialogue and international cooperation.

Hosting the Olympiad is aligned with Hanoi’s development priorities in education, science, technology, innovation and international integration. It also provides an opportunity to introduce Hanoi to international friends as a peaceful, safe and welcoming city with a rich cultural identity and tradition of hospitality.

Comprehensive and Coordinated Preparations

Following the direction of the Hanoi Party Committee and the Hanoi People’s Committee, and in coordination with relevant ministries, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training has worked with Phenikaa University and relevant agencies and organisations to develop the organisational plan for the Olympiad. Although this is the first time Hanoi has hosted a major international science Olympiad on the scale of IOAA, the city and its partner organisations have taken a proactive, systematic and professional approach from the earliest stages of preparation.

During an inspection visit from 29 June to 4 July 2026, a delegation from the IOAA International Board conducted an on-site review of the infrastructure prepared for the Olympiad. The delegation inspected competition facilities and related infrastructure, including examination rooms, telescopes, technology systems, the planetarium, accommodation and dining facilities, as well as backup venues. Following the inspection, the IOAA delegation recognised the thorough preparations and highly regarded the facilities, particularly the planetarium and its advanced equipment, as well as the strong 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 IOAA International Board and 485 participants comprising 320 contestants, 124 Team Leaders, 37 Observers and four invited guests. The Organising Committee has worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security to support participating delegations with visa and immigration procedures in accordance with applicable regulations. Comprehensive arrangements have also been put in place for security and public order, fire prevention and safety, information security, medical services, food safety and emergency response.

In terms of accommodation and logistics, contestants will be accommodated separately from delegation members to ensure the proper conduct of the Olympiad. Team Leaders, Jury members and international experts will stay at the Army Hotel, which offers nearly 150 standard guest rooms and modern conference facilities. The 320 contestants will be accommodated in safe and well-equipped dormitories on the Phenikaa University campus. Phenikaa University’s D6 dining hall, with a capacity of more than 500, will offer a varied buffet combining international cuisine with Hanoi specialities. The menu will accommodate vegetarian, dietary and religious requirements while meeting food safety standards.

For transportation, dedicated vehicles ranging from 16- to 45-seat coaches have been arranged for airport transfers at Noi Bai International Airport and scheduled transportation within Hanoi. The Organising Committee has also launched the official IOAA 2026 website and email channels, as well as dedicated information groups for Team Leaders, providing updates and guidance on registration, schedules, visas and organisational requirements. Nearly 300 personnel are supporting the Olympiad, including 140 student volunteers assigned to accompany individual delegations, 70 English-language teachers and 22 examination technicians, together with IT, reception and service teams.

The Olympiad and Cultural Exchange Activities

First held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2007, the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics has continued to grow in scale. IOAA 2026 in Hanoi will bring together 67 teams from 66 countries and territories — 65 international teams and two Vietnamese teams — with 320 contestants taking part, nearly 100 more than in previous editions.

Compared with previous editions, IOAA 2026 stands out not only for its scale but also for the use of specialised scientific equipment and infrastructure, including Sky-Watcher BK P15075 EQ3 telescopes and a 16-metre-dome planetarium equipped with Sony GTZ380 projectors and SkyExplorer software, as well as the Olympify grading platform.

Following the Opening Ceremony, contestants will 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 be governed by IOAA regulations and the Organising Committee’s instructions.

The academic programme comprises four main components:

Theory Examination: Contestants solve advanced problems in astronomy and astrophysics

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

Observational Examination: This includes telescope-based and planetarium components. The schedule may be adjusted where necessary due to weather conditions, safety considerations or academic requirements

Team Competition: Contestants work collaboratively to complete academic tasks in accordance with IOAA regulations.

Competition problems are prepared in English. Team Leaders translate the problems in accordance with IOAA academic procedures and confidentiality requirements. Results, medals, awards and certificates are reviewed and approved by the International Board and the Jury in accordance with the IOAA Statutes. With 320 contestants competing this year, approximately 60 per cent are expected to receive distinctions, including Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals, Honourable Mentions and special awards.

Vietnam is expected to participate in IOAA 2026 with 10 students selected in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Since first participating in the IOAA in India in 2016, the Vietnamese team, with many of its members coming from Hanoi, has consistently achieved strong results at editions held in Thailand, China, Hungary, Colombia, Georgia, Poland and Brazil.

Alongside the competition, the Organising Committee has arranged cultural exchange activities and visits to some of Hanoi’s most notable heritage sites and attractions, including the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature and Bat Trang Pottery Village. These activities will give international participants an opportunity to experience Hanoi’s longstanding tradition of learning and its rich cultural heritage.

At the press briefing, Professor Pham Thanh Huy said that Phenikaa Group and Phenikaa University had invested approximately VND 80 billion in infrastructure and technical preparations for IOAA 2026, while also laying the groundwork for longer-term education and training. More than VND 60 billion was allocated to the construction of the planetarium, with the remaining investment used to upgrade dormitories and other infrastructure supporting accommodation, daily activities and competition activities for international delegations on campus.

Professor Pham Thanh Huy emphasised that after IOAA 2026, the modern facilities and academic capacity developed for the Olympiad will continue to support education and training, provide valuable learning and visitor experiences for students, and contribute to scientific research and innovation.

Under the programme, the Opening Ceremony will take place at 3:00 p.m. on 26 September 2026 at Phenikaa University. Competition and cultural exchange activities will run from 27 September to 3 October. The Closing and Awards Ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. on 4 October at Phenikaa University. The programme may be adjusted where necessary due to academic requirements, weather conditions, safety considerations or organisational needs.

Hanoi has put in place the necessary infrastructure, security, safety and logistical arrangements to deliver a rigorous, safe, professional and welcoming IOAA 2026.