| Nguyen Khanh Linh, head of Investment Promotion and Strategic Technology at NIC | The launch took place in Hanoi on May 28. Participants will build AI products to solve real-world problems posed by businesses, rather than coding against predefined tasks. Rather than focusing on programming contests that primarily showcase technical skills, Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge places young developers in an environment much closer to actual market conditions, with real business challenges, tight deadlines, product pressure, deployment requirements, and opportunities to connect with enterprises and investors after the competition. Speaking at the event, Nguyen Khanh Linh, head of Investment Promotion and Strategic Technology at the National Innovation Centre (NIC), said the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge is being implemented under Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026, with the ambition of becoming a platform connecting Vietnam’s AI capabilities with the practical development needs of businesses and localities. "Challenges across manufacturing, logistics, public services, education, healthcare, and smart cities will be opened to the AI community to develop applicable solutions," he said. "This approach is expected to bring AI closer to socioeconomic life, rather than keeping it confined to laboratories, research reports, or fragmented pilot models." NIC expects the initiative to accelerate AI adoption across the economy while helping develop a generation of “battle-tested” AI talent. These are professionals who understand technology and know how to apply it to production, operations, governance, and market development. As Vietnam continues to push forward with digital transformation, a workforce of AI engineers capable of solving real-world problems will become a key foundation for enhancing national competitiveness. | Launching ceremony of Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge | Thao Griffiths, public policy director for Meta Group's Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, said Meta has partnered with NIC on Vietnam Innovation Challenge since 2022. Over the years, Meta has worked with NIC,