Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs: Âu Lạc Grand Prize Helps Operationalize Major National Policies

As science and technology and innovation increasingly become key drivers of national growth and competitiveness, science and technology diplomacy is being identified as a new and strategically significant approach in implementing Viet Nam’s foreign policy. According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan, the Âu Lạc Grand Prize represents a flagship initiative that helps translate major policies of the Party and the State into concrete action, while enhancing Viet Nam’s soft power in high technology.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan speaking at the Launch Ceremony of the Âu Lạc Grand Prize.

Speaking at the Launch Ceremony of the Âu Lạc Grand Prize, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan stated that, in implementing the Party’s resolutions on promoting innovation, advancing science and technology, and national digital transformation—and identifying artificial intelligence as a foundational technology playing a critical role in strengthening national competitiveness and Viet Nam’s international standing—science and technology diplomacy has emerged as a new spearhead. This approach focuses on innovation, digital transformation, and green transition, contributing substantively to the development of 11 strategic technologies and the implementation of Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo.

In that context, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan emphasized that the organization of the Âu Lạc Grand Prize by the Âu Lạc AI Alliance, with sponsorship from FPT Corporation, is a highly practical initiative. The award helps operationalize key decisions of the Party and the State while creating an effective platform connecting research, application, and international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan delivering remarks at the Launch Ceremony of the Âu Lạc Grand Prize.

From a diplomatic perspective, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan underscored that the Âu Lạc Grand Prize contributes to strengthening Viet Nam’s soft power, projecting the image of a dynamic and open country that values scientific knowledge and actively engages in international cooperation in high technology. The initiative serves as a vivid demonstration of Viet Nam’s foreign policy approach in the new era—placing knowledge at the foundation and cooperation as the driving force.

He expressed confidence that, with the support of state management agencies, the proactive participation of enterprises, and the intellectual contributions of the Vietnamese community at home and abroad, the Âu Lạc Grand Prize will become an important anchor for promoting international cooperation and amplifying Viet Nam’s scientific and technological values on the global stage.

“The award carries profound significance for the global Vietnamese community. It serves as an important bridge connecting Vietnamese scientists, experts, and technology entrepreneurs living, studying, and working overseas with the domestic innovation ecosystem. Through the prize, Vietnamese intellect worldwide gains an additional platform to connect, contribute, and accompany the country’s development,” Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan shared.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to accompany the science, technology, and innovation community—including the Âu Lạc AI Alliance—in advancing science and technology diplomacy and connecting global networks of experts, scientists, and technology enterprises. At the same time, the Ministry will closely coordinate with ministries, sectors, local authorities, and international partners to create favorable conditions for outstanding Vietnamese AI initiatives and projects to access knowledge, resources, markets, and global innovation ecosystems, thereby enhancing Viet Nam’s standing, credibility, and national competitiveness in high technology.

At the Launch Ceremony, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan also expressed appreciation for FPT’s cooperation and long-term partnership in building and strengthening information technology infrastructure, databases, and digital transformation solutions supporting the Ministry’s management and operational activities in foreign affairs. These efforts contribute directly to implementing major Party and State directives on developing science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

To operationalize Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, on January 12, 2026, the Âu Lạc AI Alliance officially announced the Âu Lạc Grand Prize, awarding USD 1 million to the most outstanding AI product or solution developed and mastered by Vietnamese innovators. This is currently the largest technology award in Viet Nam.

The Âu Lạc Grand Prize honors Vietnamese-developed and Vietnamese-owned AI products and solutions that generate strong and sustainable socio-economic impact. The award aims to encourage technological self-mastery and reaffirm the position of Vietnamese intellect on the global technology map. The prize is scheduled to be awarded over three consecutive years, starting in 2026, with the online registration portal for the first season opening in March 2026.

The award is sponsored by FPT Corporation, with media patronage from the Government Electronic Information Portal and VnExpress. The Judging Council comprises leading AI experts, scientists, technology business leaders, investment fund representatives, universities, and members of domestic and international innovation communities, ensuring independence, objectivity, and globally recognized standards throughout the evaluation process.