Vietnam’s Largest AI Hackathon Opens Its Doors: LotusHack 2026 Unites 1,000+ Builders to Shape the Future of AI in Southeast Asia

4 days ago
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A high school dream becomes Vietnam's biggest AI moment — powered by GenAI Fund, backed by HackHarvard, and fuelled by a generation ready to build.

HO CHI MINH CITY, March 20, 2026 — LotusHack 2026, Vietnam's largest AI Hackathon, officially kicks off today at VNG Campus, bringing together over 1,000 students, developers, and innovators from across Vietnam and the region for a 36-hour sprint to build the next generation of AI-powered solutions.

The event organized by LotusHack, with HackHarvard and GenAI Fund as co-organizers marks a defining moment for Vietnam's fast-growing technology ecosystem, drawing attention from global AI leaders and industry heavyweights alike.

Vietnam: The Talent Is Here

Vietnam is no longer a market waiting to be discovered. With one of Southeast Asia's youngest and most digitally native populations, the country is producing a wave of AI-ready talent that is capturing the attention of the world's most influential technology companies.

LotusHack 2026 is proof of that momentum. Over 200 teams across 30+ countries have registered to compete, with participants ranging from first-time hackers to seasoned developers all united by a shared belief that Vietnam belongs at the forefront of the global AI conversation.

"The talent here is extraordinary," said Laura Nguyen, Partner at GenAI Fund. "What LotusHack represents is not just a hackathon — it is a signal to the world that Vietnam is building, and building fast. We are proud to stand behind that."

A High School Dream, Brought to Life

LotusHack began as an idea between high school students. What started as a vision to create a world-class hackathon experience for Vietnamese youth has grown into the country's most ambitious AI event of the year.

"We wanted to prove that age doesn't determine what you can build," said Khoa, co-director of LotusHack. "We had the idea, the drive, and the belief. What HackHarvard, GenAI Fund and our partners gave us was the ecosystem to make it real."

With the support of experienced mentors, industry sponsors, and an international network that spans Harvard to Ho Chi Minh City, LotusHack's vision has evolved into a 3-day flagship event featuring workshops and support by OpenAI, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Tasco Group, Agora, OpenRouter and other global technology leaders, a competitive judging process with a prize pool of up to 1M USD, and a platform that connects Vietnam's brightest minds with the global AI community.

GenAI Fund: Backing the Builders

GenAI Fund's involvement in LotusHack is consistent with its core mission: to identify, support, and amplify the ecosystem that enables the next generation of AI builders across Southeast Asia.

"We don’t build the startups — we build the conditions for them to thrive," said Laura Nguyen. "LotusHack is exactly the kind of initiative we exist to support. It is grassroots, it is ambitious, and it is exactly what Vietnam needs right now."

Nguyễn Hoàng Bách, Founder of LotusHacks, also shared, “LotusHacks is about creating the environment where the next generation of builders can experiment, collaborate, and realize what they’re capable of.”

Beyond LotusHack, GenAI Fund continues to expand its presence across the region, connecting founders with capital, mentorship, and the global networks required to scale. The Fund's growing portfolio of ecosystem initiatives — from the ASEAN GenAI Startup Report to its expanding community of operators and investors — reflects a long-term commitment to Southeast Asia as a global AI powerhouse.

Event Highlights

📅 Dates: March 20–22, 2026

📍 Venue: VNG Campus, Ho Chi Minh City

👥 Participants: 1,000+ builders

🏆 Prize Pool: Up to 1M USD

🤝 Sponsors: AWS, OpenAI, VNG, Tasco, ETEST, OpenRouter, Agora, ByteDance, Valesa Singapore, Algorithmic, CoderSchool, Tinyfish, Galaxy Holdings, Igot, AIHay

About LotusHack

LotusHack is Vietnam's premier student-led hackathon, organized by LotusHack with co-organizer HackHarvard and GenAI Fund. LotusHack is dedicated to creating world-class opportunities for Vietnam's next generation of builders and innovators.

About GenAI Fund

GenAI Fund is a Southeast Asia-focused ecosystem fund dedicated to accelerating the growth of the region's AI startup landscape. Through capital, community, and strategic partnerships, GenAI Fund backs the founders, initiatives, and ecosystems that will define the future of AI in Southeast Asia.