A top prize of up to US$1 million is at stake at Vietnam’s National A.I Challenge, the first-ever televised national AI innovation competition in the country.

The competition is being held under the direction of the government as part of a broader AI strategy to build a self-reliant, innovation-driven economy.

The A.I Challenge is organized by the National Data Centre, the National Data Association, Vietnam Television, and Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank ( Techcombank ).

According to Techcombank, the competition aligns with the country’s ambition to become a regional AI innovation hub by helping to identify and develop young AI talent, foster a “Make in Vietnam” approach to AI innovation, and raise public awareness of AI’s pivotal role in the country’s economic development.

Over 400 teams from across Vietnam and around the world will participate in the event. The challenge is for them to develop practical AI solutions to address real-world problems across key economic sectors, including finance and banking, education, and healthcare.

Scholarship package

Techcombank is providing the top prize – a scholarship package of up to US$1 million for the winning team to pursue advanced studies in AI technology in leading international universities.

Upon their return to Vietnam, the winners will have the opportunity to join Techcombank and its ecosystem, applying their training and expertise to further the digital transformation of Vietnam’s banking industry and build a rewarding career with the bank.

Through the initiative, Techcombank says, it aims to nurture the next generation of AI talent in Vietnam and create new career opportunities that will enable these talents to stay in Vietnam, build their careers in the country, and shape the future of the nation’s banking industry.

The winners of the A.I Challenge will be determined over multiple rounds of competition, during which teams will be tested on AI model building, data analysis, and applied problem-solving using real datasets provided by government and industry partners. At the end of every round, each team will be evaluated by the panel of judges with the best teams advancing to the next round.

The final rounds will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television, with the winning team decided in a “Grand Final” in January 2026.