The opening ceremony is scheduled for next Saturday at Phenikaa University, the primary venue. The competition comprises theory, data analysis, observation, and team competition.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hien, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training and Deputy Head of the IOAA 2026 Organizing Committee, said at a press briefing in Hanoi that the event brings together participants from 66 countries and territories—comprising 65 international teams plus two teams from Vietnam. The number of contestants is 320, 100 higher than the previous year.
"Beyond its expanded scale, this year’s Olympiad distinguishes itself through the use of advanced equipment and specialized infrastructure, such as Sky-Watcher telescopes, a planetarium with a 16-meter dome, Sony GTZ380 projection systems, SkyExplorer software, and the Olympify grading system. These state-of-the-art technologies are being utilized at an IOAA competition for the first time. Results, medals, awards, and certificates are reviewed and approved by the International Board and the Jury in accordance with IOAA regulations," Hien added.
The IOAA was first held in 2007 in Thailand. For the 2026 competition, Vietnam is participating with a team of 10 students selected in compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Since its debut at the IOAA in India in 2016, the Vietnamese team—with a core group of students from Hanoi—has achieved remarkable results.
In addition to the competition rounds, participating delegations have the opportunity for cultural exchange and visits to Hanoi’s heritage sites and landmarks, such as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature, and Bat Trang Pottery Village.
