Discover the thousand-year-old relics of Thang Long.
On October 3rd, over 300 contestants participating in the 19th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2026) began their Hanoi experience. This activity, taking place during the final days of the competition, provides an opportunity for international contestants to interact, learn about the culture, and create lasting memories outside the examination rooms.
The first destination for the group was Thang Long Imperial Citadel – a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized in 2010. With a history spanning over 13 centuries, Thang Long Imperial Citadel was once the center of power in Vietnam through many dynasties.
Here, the contestants visited the archaeological site, Doan Mon Gate, Kinh Thien Palace, and the Hanoi Flagpole, learning about the architectural remains and artifacts preserved from various periods. The layers of interconnected relics helped the members of the delegation gain a better understanding of the thousand-year history of Hanoi and Vietnam.
Maja Rihtarsic, a contestant from Slovenia, said that visiting Thang Long Imperial Citadel was a fascinating experience. According to her, the architecture there has many differences compared to Europe, which gave her a new cultural experience. “This is a very beautiful country and the people here are wonderful,” Maja Rihtarsic shared.
Leaving Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the delegation continued to Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, a special national monument and a symbol of Vietnam's tradition of studiousness and scholarship.
The Temple of Literature - National University complex includes Van Lake, the Temple of Literature - National University area, and the University Garden. Notably, the 82 doctoral steles at the Temple of Literature - National University have been inscribed by UNESCO on the World Memory List.
For the contestants who gathered in Hanoi to compete in an exam for outstanding students in astronomy and astrophysics, the story of Vietnam's tradition of learning and respect for knowledge at the Temple of Literature - National University takes on a special significance.
In addition to sightseeing and learning about architecture, at each destination, IOAA 2026 contestants have the opportunity to access a different facet of Hanoi - a city with a long history, where cultural values and a spirit of learning have been preserved through many generations.
Experiencing traditional craft villages adds beautiful memories to Hanoi.
While Thang Long Imperial Citadel and the Temple of Literature - National University brought the contestants back to layers of historical sediment, the visit to Bat Trang pottery village on the afternoon of October 3rd offered a more intimate experience of Hanoi's cultural life.
Bat Trang pottery village, located on the Red River, has a history of over 700 years and is famous for its traditional pottery production. Here, the contestants visited the Bat Trang Pottery Museum, learned about the pottery craft, and experienced making and painting pottery products themselves. The pottery market was also a popular stop for many members of the group, who bought souvenirs to give to family and friends.
Tanadash Rujanun, a contestant from Thailand , said she was impressed by the cultural differences in Hanoi. After about 10 days of competing and living in Vietnam, she had the opportunity to learn a little about the city and hopes to return to explore more.
For contestant Maja Rihtarsic, besides the tourist attractions, the friendliness of the people and the food she enjoyed during her time in Hanoi also left a strong impression on her.
Meanwhile, Alexandru-Ioan Jicu, a contestant from Romania, viewed the IOAA journey from a different perspective. According to him, cultural exchange, getting to know and understand each other among the contestants was one of the highlights that contributed to the success of the competition.
Every contestant participating in an international competition hopes to achieve good results and win a medal. However, according to Alexandru-Ioan Jicu, those who have participated in international Olympiads understand that prizes are not everything. The opportunity to make friends, learn about the culture of the host country and other nations, and share experiences are also valuable and memorable experiences that will stay with them throughout their journey.
In particular, stepping outside the competition space, contestants have the opportunity to reduce the intensity of the competition and instead interact, collaborate, and share. For contestant Alexandru-Ioan Jicu, this is a wonderful opportunity he has had at IOAA 2026.
The 19th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics took place from September 25th to October 5th in Hanoi. Phenikaa University was the main venue for organizing professional activities and conducting the competition. This year, IOAA had teams from over 60 countries and territories, with nearly 500 international delegates, including 320 contestants.
The contestants participated in four competition sections: theory, team competition, observation using telescopes, and data analysis. The closing ceremony and awards presentation for IOAA 2026 are scheduled to take place on the afternoon of October 4th at Phenikaa University.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/thi-sinh-ioaa-2026-hao-hung-kham-pha-ha-noi-1759389.html
