Vietnamese Student HackAIthon 2026 kicks off at HaUI

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape economies and drive digital transformation worldwide, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) hosted the opening ceremony of the Vietnamese Student HackAIthon 2026 and the AI4Student – AI4Life Talk Show on 28 May 2026. Under the theme "Advancing AI Literacy: Current Trends in Vietnam and Around the World," the event brought together students, policymakers, industry leaders, and AI experts to promote digital competencies, innovation, and responsible AI adoption among young people.

The programme was jointly organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank), with professional support from VNPT AI.

The event was attended by Nguyen Minh Triet, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Student Association; representatives of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Vietnam Student Association, Vietcombank, and VNPT AI; Dr. Nguyen Van Thien, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry; together with University leaders, faculty members, and a large number of students.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and President of the Vietnam Student Association, delivered remarks at the event.In the opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet emphasized that artificial intelligence has become a strategic driver of national competitiveness and an essential competency for young people in the digital era. As science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation continue to underpin Vietnam's socio-economic development, he stressed the importance of equipping students with digital skills, technological literacy, and the capacity for innovation to meet the evolving demands of the future workforce.

He further noted that the Vietnamese Student HackAIthon 2026 is designed not only as a technology competition but also as a platform for students to develop digital thinking, strengthen research capabilities, and cultivate innovation through practical problem-solving. By encouraging participants to move beyond using AI tools toward designing and applying AI-driven solutions, the competition aims to empower students to address real-world challenges across education, healthcare, finance, digital media, public administration, and youth engagement.

Mr. Do Viet Hung, Member of the Board of Directors of Vietcombank, expressed his expectation that the competition would provide a platform for students to cultivate innovative thinking and develop practical, high-impact AI solutions.

Representing the programme's strategic partner, Mr. Do Viet Hung, Member of the Board of Directors of Vietcombank, highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the financial and banking sector, particularly in enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency, and driving the development of next-generation financial services. He noted that initiatives such as the Vietnamese Student HackAIthon 2026 provide valuable opportunities for students to cultivate innovative thinking, apply AI to real-world challenges, and develop practical solutions capable of generating meaningful value across a wide range of sectors.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and President of the Vietnam Student Association; Dr. Nguyen Van Thien, Vice President of Hanoi University of Industry; and Mr. Nguyen Duc Nguyen, Vice President of the Vietnam Student Association, attended the opening ceremony.

The competition features three categories tailored to participants with different levels of AI knowledge and technical expertise. Contestants will develop AI-based solutions to address practical challenges, with total prizes exceeding VND 200 million, alongside opportunities to receive mentorship from industry experts and engage with leading technology enterprises.

Chính thức khởi động cuộc thi “Vietnamese Student HackAIthon 2026”

A key highlight of the programme was the AI4Student - AI4Life Talk Show, which provided students with practical perspectives on the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Industry experts from VNPT AI and Vietcombank examined how artificial intelligence is transforming business operations, scientific research, education, and everyday life, while discussing the skills and competencies that will become increasingly important in the future workforce. The sessions also introduced participants to effective approaches for leveraging generative AI tools and developing prompt engineering skills.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Thinh, AI Consulting and Implementation Specialist at VNPT AI, delivered a presentation on the topic “Will Artificial Intelligence replace humans?”

Mr. Nguyen Trong Dung, Deputy Director of the Data Engineering and Data Science Center, Data Division, Vietcombank, delivered a presentation at the AI4Student - AI4Life Talk Show.

Beyond exploring technological advancements, the discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on AI. While intelligent technologies continue to reshape industries and create new opportunities, the speakers highlighted that creativity, critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and human judgement will remain fundamental to innovation. Students were encouraged to view AI not simply as a tool, but as a technology that requires responsible application, continuous learning, and interdisciplinary thinking.

HaUI students actively engaged with the speakers during the interactive discussion session of the AI4Student - AI4Life Talk Show.

The launch of the Vietnamese Student HackAIthon 2026 at Hanoi University of Industry underscores the University's commitment to integrating emerging technologies into education and fostering an environment that supports innovation and digital transformation. By bringing together students, industry professionals, and AI experts, the programme provides a collaborative platform for developing practical AI applications, strengthening university–industry engagement, and equipping students with the knowledge and competencies needed to address the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital society.