Vietnam launches RE:ACT youth innovation challenge for sustainable communities

On 7 August 2026 in Hanoi, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC) and Samsung Vietnam officially launched the RE:ACT project – a youth‑led innovation challenge aimed at creating sustainable community solutions. The programme seeks more than 600 proposals from young innovators across the country and will award up to US$15,000 per selected team, six months of technical mentorship, access to living‑lab test sites and a study trip to South Korea.

NIC Deputy Director Đỗ Tiến Thịnh said the initiative will help turn ideas into viable products by supporting teams from concept through prototype testing. UNDP Deputy Representative Francesca Nardini added that the project connects government, universities and businesses to empower young people as co‑creators of sustainable development.

The launch event was attended by officials from state agencies, development partners, universities and youth organisations, underscoring a coordinated effort to boost Vietnam’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.