Hanoi will represent Vietnam as the host city for the 2026 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), according to an official announcement from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training.

Tran The Cuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, shared the exciting news that the IOAA organizing committee has officially handed over the hosting flag to Hanoi for the 2026 event.

The competition is expected to welcome around 3,000 participants and observers from about 80 countries and territories.

“This will be a valuable opportunity for us to promote and introduce Vietnam’s culture, people, lifestyle, and cuisine to the international community. More importantly, it allows our students to interact with and learn from peers around the world,” said Cuong.

According to the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, the competition is scheduled to take place at a major university in the capital city, which will be equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure to meet international standards.

In 2025, the IOAA was held in India, marking Vietnam's ninth consecutive participation in the event. Over 300 contestants from 66 countries and territories took part. All five Hanoi students representing Vietnam earned medals: one gold, three silver, and one bronze. This marked the second consecutive year that every Vietnamese team member won a medal - a feat first achieved in 2024 in Brazil.

Thanh Hung