Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lâm Hải Giang takes the floor at the press conference on Thursday to announce the Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026. Photos ICISE

HÀ NỘI – The central province of Gia Lai will host a series of international events on quantum technology from July 23 to 27, gathering scientists, experts, businesses and the innovation community from Việt Nam and abroad.

Part of the Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026, the events aim to promote the research and application of quantum technology as well as expand cooperation in this strategic technology.

In line with the spirit of the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on national digital transformation and Prime Minister’s Decision 21/2026/QD-TTg, which lists strategic technologies and strategic technology products, Gia Lai is working with the sector to promote science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as a new driver of development.

At a press briefing on Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026 on Thursday, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Lâm Hải Giang shared the orientation for developing quantum technology.

Giang said it is considered one of the strategic technology fields that the locality needs to develop to stay ahead of global science and technology trends. Gia Lai is also one of the first localities in the country to organise a Quantum Year.

According to Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology Nguyễn Hữu Hà, the series of events not only introduces new technology trends, but also connects scientists, businesses, universities and the innovation community. It creates opportunities for Gia Lai to access knowledge, develop labour and promote research and the application of technology.

The events are jointly organised by the Provincial People’s Committee in coordination with the Vietnam National Innovation Center, the Vietnam Quantum Network, the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) and the Open Quantum Institute, among others.

Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026 comprises four key components: Science and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Education and Training. Activities will focus on promoting the application of quantum computing, AI and machine learning in smart agriculture, logistics, resource management, disaster forecasting, energy and data security.

The core of the science component, ICISE was founded by renowned Vietnamese-French Professor Trần Thanh Vân and will organise conferences, workshops and thematic schools on quantum physics. These efforts aim to connect domestic and international research communities while contributing to the development of skilled scientists and other workers in the field.

"Partnering with Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026 is an opportunity to strengthen the links between basic science, applied research and innovation. Furthermore, these international scientific activities help bring scientific knowledge closer to the community, particularly to students and young people passionate about scientific research,” said ICISE Deputy Director Trần Thanh Sơn.

Professor Junsuk Rho from Pohang University of Science and Technology in Singapore delivered an online keynote lecture entitled 'Optical metasurfaces for imaging, sensing and display' within the framework of the ASEAN plus Photonics Symposium in April as part of the Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026.

Expanding innovation space

The highlight of the event series is the International Hackathon on Quantum Computing for Social Development (Quantathon Gia Lai), which connects research groups, engineers, students, technology enterprises and international experts to seek quantum technology solutions for sustainable development.

The final round of Quantathon Gia Lai brings together 100 contestants from six countries. In addition to the professional competition, teams also have the opportunity to meet with experts and connect with businesses and investors to develop ideas.

Alongside Quantathon are many other activities, such as an exhibition on quantum, semiconductor and superconductor technology; the Extended Southeast Asia Quantum Coordinators Meeting; the Creative Economy Forum based on quantum technology; and networking sessions between start-ups, research groups, businesses and investors.

This serves as a forum for scientists, experts and enterprises to share knowledge, expand cooperation and promote the application of quantum technology.

In addition to professional activities, Gia Lai Quantum Year 2026 will carry out programmes to support innovative start-ups, connecting potential projects with experts, enterprises and investment funds.

At the same time, the programme focuses on disseminating knowledge and developing training activities to gradually build a workforce for the field of quantum technology and other strategic technologies. VNS