More Than a Hackathon. A Launchpad for Quantum Builders.
Quantum Hackathon for Social Good QC4SG 2026 marks the second SEA Quantathon and the first edition organized in Vietnam.
More than a competition, QC4SG is designed as a launchpad for future quantum builders and deep technology startups.
The program integrates Quantum Computing (QC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) to develop innovative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
By connecting advanced research with entrepreneurial execution, QC4SG bridges science, technology development, and real world application within a collaborative innovation ecosystem.
🔷 Journey: From Idea to Startup
QC4SG aims to foster innovation across the ASEAN+ region.
Our mission is to empower participants to apply Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and advanced technologies to solve real world problems for social impact.
The program is open to participants from different backgrounds. Even if you do not have prior knowledge in quantum computing, you are welcome to join. A structured online training phase is included to help participants build essential foundations before the onsite bootcamp.
🔷 Entrepreneurship Track
Through the Entrepreneurship Track, teams experience the core stages of the startup cycle:
- Customer discovery to identify real community needs
- Idea development and solution validation
- Build and iterate a working prototype
- Application design and refinement
- Pitch presentation to technical and industry experts
The objective is not only to develop a prototype, but to evaluate the feasibility and long term potential of each solution.
🔷 Technical Track
Participants also strengthen their deeptech capabilities through the Technical Track, which includes:
- Quantum Information and Communication, Security and Privacy
- Quantum Error Correction and Control
- Quantum Machine Learning (QML) and NISQ Applications
- Quantum Utility, Advantage, and Fault Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Traditional Machine Learning
🔷 Mentorship, Collaboration, and Impact
As a participant, you will gain access to:
- Leading industry and academic experts who mentor teams throughout the program
- A collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment that fosters growth and innovation
Participants will strengthen best practices in QC (Quantum Computing), software development, and applied research, while developing tangible technology solutions aligned with global impact goals.
QC4SG is more than a competition. It is the beginning of a long term network connecting researchers, builders, mentors, and potential partners across the ASEAN+ region and beyond.
The program aims to foster international collaboration, support deeptech startups, and contribute to breakthrough research in QC, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and ML (Machine Learning).
🔷 Eligibility
This program is open to students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and early stage startups with an interest in QC, AI, ML, and emerging technologies.
Applicants from all countries are welcome. Priority consideration is given to ASEAN+ participants.
Participation is free of charge. Travel and local support may be provided for selected teams, subject to availability.
🔷 Registration
- Future Builders / Startups:
Individuals including students, researchers, and entrepreneurs who will form teams to design and develop innovative solutions addressing the UN SDGs using QC, AI, and ML. Interdisciplinary teams combining technical and entrepreneurial skills are encouraged.
- Mentors (Academic, Technical, Business):
Experts in QC, AI, ML, SDGs, or business strategy who wish to guide and advise participating teams throughout the program.
For mentor registration, please contact: research@vnquantum.org
🔷 Program Structure
The program consists of an online preparation phase followed by an onsite bootcamp in Vietnam.
1. Online Training Phase
Online QC training will be delivered in May or June 2026. To participate in the face to face bootcamp, teams are required to complete:
- QBronze AND QCobalt certificate from QWorld or similar programs
- Online tutorials provided by quantum hardware providers
This ensures that all participants share a common technical foundation before project development.
QBronze Certificate
The QBronze certification includes five main sections. Participants are expected to spend approximately 3 to 4 hours per section.
- Basics of classical systems (Probabilistic bits, coin-flipping, biased coins, probabilistic states, and probabilistic operators, correlation)
- Basics of quantum systems (Quantum programs as circuits: registers, gates, measurements, execution, and reading the outcomes, quantum state and operators)
- Quantum operators on a quantum bit
- Entanglement and basics quantum protocols
- Quantum search algorithm
QCobalt Certificate
The QNickel certification includes three main sections:
- Introduction to combinatorial optimization problems
- QUBO Formulation
- Modelling problems using penalty method and Ising model
- Simulated Annealing and expressing problems using BQM
- Quantum Annealing
Online tutorials from quantum hardware providers will be announced in due course.
2. Face to Face Bootcamp in Vietnam
(tentative plan below)

🔷 Beyond the Hackathon
QC4SG is not designed as a standalone competition.
Selected teams with strong technical and venture potential may continue beyond the hackathon phase through structured advisory support and opportunities to pitch for funding.
Eligible startups may receive:
- Guidance on company formation in Vietnam
- Post program monthly advisory meetings
- Continued mentorship within the QC4SG ecosystem
- Possible pre-seed or seed funding opportunities
The objective is to support the transition from validated ideas toward venture development.
🔷 Ready to Build with Quantum
If you are ready to explore how QC, AI, and ML can address real world challenges and evolve into scalable solutions, we welcome your participation.
Contact: research@vnquantum.org
🔷 Resources for building startup:
Participants are encouraged to explore foundational materials in entrepreneurship and venture building, including:
🔷 Visa and Travel:
Visa formalities
Important: Please make sure that your passport validity is at least six month after your return date (this may be contradictory with other rules, but this was imposed recently - last year - to a participant of another conference).
You should apply for a visa at least 10 days in advance to ensure it is issued on time, even though it usually takes only 3 working days to process. However, the visa issuance system in Vietnam can sometimes be overloaded due to conferences held during peak periods in the country.
Visa exemptions
All participants who do not have a Vietnamese passport require a visa to enter Viet Nam. Certain countries listed below are subject to a visa exemption for a select number of days (subject to change by the government):
- Citizens from Chile and Panama for visits of 90 days at maximum
- Citizens of Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand for visits of 30 days at maximum.
- Citizens of Russia for visits of 15 days at maximum.
- Citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom for visits of 45 days at maximum.
- Citizens from Brunei and Myanmar for visits of 14 days at maximum.
Diplomatic passports
Participants with diplomatic passports from certain countries listed below are also subject to a visa exemption for a select number of days (subject to change by the government):
- Holders of diplomatic passports from Algeria, Armenia, Bolivia, Botswana, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Peru, Seychelles, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay for visits of 90 days at maximum.
- Holders of diplomatic passports from China and Romania for visits of 30 days at maximum.
Participants should ensure their passport is valid for at least 6 months following their date of arrival in Viet Nam and includes at least two blank pages.
E-Visas
From 2025, citizens from all countries can apply for 90 days E-Visas via the following link:
https://evisa.gov.vn/
Processing time is between 3-4 working days and the visa costs US$ 25.
The E-visa requirements include:
- A passport with six months’ validity
- A photo in .jpg format of the full passport data page
- A passport photo in .jpg format (4x6, white background, without glasses)
- A valid international credit or debit card
- An email address for support purposes
- A temporary address within Vietnam
- The dates of entry and exit into Viet Nam and the entry and exit points/airports
All participants are advised to use the official website to obtain an E-Visa for Vietnam: https://evisa.gov.vn/. When applying for the visa, please select the option Working or Business in the Purpose of entry box. If this option is not available, select "other" and specify "conference/summit."

In compliance with the regulations set by the Government of Vietnam, delegates attending the conference (excluding accompanying persons) are requested to not select 'Tourist' as the purpose of entry. Choosing 'Work' or 'Business' for your visa purpose will not affect your travel plans in Vietnam before or after the conference.
Participants are responsible for ensuring the correct purpose is selected, as inaccuracies may affect their stay and activities in Vietnam.
After 3 days, participants can check their visa status and download the visa which they will need to bring to the airport to enter Viet Nam at the following link:https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-thi-thuc
If participants cannot obtain an E-Visa, they are kindly requested to contact us at rencontres.vietnam@gmail.com
There are four main international airports in Vietnam : Hanoi (Noi Bai airport : HAN) and Ho Chi Minh (Tan Son Nhut airport : SGN), Da Nang Airport (DAD), Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR).
From these international airport, to take a flight to Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, you need to find a ticket to Phu Cat airport (UIH).
As there more flights from Ho Chi Minh to Quy nhon, it is more convenient to fly from foreign countries to Ho Chi Minh than to Hanoi.
Once you arrive at Phu Cat airport (UIH), the organizer will pick you up at the airport, and take you to your hotels.
Alternatively, you can take trains or sleeper coach from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue, etc..
Train can be booked here.
Sleeper coach can be booked here.


🔷 Venues
ICISE



GIA LAI CONVENTION CENTER (TRUNG TÂM HỘI NGHỊ TỈNH)
