$1 Million Prize for Vietnamese AI Officially Opens for Applications

Developers, students, scientists, engineers, research teams/founding teams, startups, and technology enterprises can now submit applications for the Âu Lạc Grand Prize, competing for a single award worth $1 million USD, via the official website: https://www.aulacgrandprize.com/

The prize aims to identify and honor AI solutions developed and owned by Vietnamese individuals or organizations. The $1 million award will be granted to the most outstanding AI solution that has been developed and mastered by Vietnamese teams, deployed in real-world settings, and proven to deliver value in Vietnam.

The award is initiated by the Âu Lạc AI Alliance, with sponsorship from FPT Corporation, with the goal of encouraging technological self-reliance and celebrating Vietnamese innovation on the global technology map. By discovering and promoting AI solutions developed by Vietnamese talent, the prize contributes to realizing the goals of Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation—where mastering strategic technologies is a central priority.

The submission deadline is July 31, 2026. Following this, the preliminary and final rounds will take place from August to October, with the award ceremony expected in November.

Applications are accepted online through the program’s official website. Applicants are required to create an account and select a category aligned with their solution’s contribution, including: improving quality of life (biomedical, environment, agriculture), enhancing learning and working capabilities (education, productivity), critical systems (public services, infrastructure, transportation), and advanced industries or future technologies. They must then complete the application form and submit the required supporting documents.

The prize evaluates entries based on real-world impact, demonstrated through measurable socio-economic outcomes in Vietnam and validated by partners or customers, while also reflecting the innovation capacity and technological mastery of the development team. In addition, solutions must demonstrate sustainability, scalability, and the potential to address challenges not only domestically but also globally.

Ethical considerations are mandatory, including transparency, data protection, and minimizing societal risks in AI development and deployment. All submitted products and solutions must be legally owned intellectual property developed and controlled by Vietnamese entities.

Speaking about the award, Mr. Trương Gia Bình, Chairman of the Âu Lạc AI Alliance and Chairman of FPT, stated that the primary goal is to help build sovereign AI capabilities for Vietnam by encouraging more Vietnamese individuals to participate in AI research, development, and real-world application. According to him, the value of the prize lies not only in recognizing a single product, but in its ability to inspire broader community engagement and technological mastery.

The Âu Lạc Grand Prize is launched in the context of Vietnam accelerating its national agenda in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, where artificial intelligence is identified as a key strategic technology for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring sustainable development. The prize is expected to be held annually over three consecutive years starting from 2026.