If you used to love the wall map or found reading climate charts more enjoyable than reading storybooks, this news is for you.

Geography & Environment Challenge (GEC) is a competition organized by Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, with professional sponsorship from the Institute of Resources, Environment and Chemical Safety (IRECS). The competition is for students from grade 9 to grade 12 who want to go beyond textbooks: looking at a region through maps and data, understanding why the environment changes, and then presenting solutions to a real-world problem.

VNNETZERO introduces GEC, where geography, environment, and sustainable development meet—topics that Net Zero also revolves around. Knowing how to read data and think spatially is a skill that any environmental scientist needs.

Who can participate?

  • Students in grades 9 – 12 in Vietnam, aged 16 to 19 as of August 1st of the competition year
  • International students studying in Vietnam if they meet the same conditions
  • Students under 16 are still encouraged to register for the experience

Two rounds of competition

  • Preliminary round (online) – November 29, 2026: physical geography, socio-economic geography, environment and sustainable development, reading maps, charts, data, and problem solving
  • Final round (in-person) – December 12, 2026: content closely follows the iGeo exam questions, location to be announced later

What will you receive?

  • 12 finalists receive Certificates and Trophies
  • 4 most outstanding contestants enter the advanced training program
  • 4 students and 2 team leaders will represent Vietnam at iGeo 2027

A few things to know before registering

No registration fee, unless otherwise notified in writing by the Organizing Committee

The exam is expected to be in English, so candidates should practice academic reading comprehension skills

Contestants must complete their work independently. The Organizing Committee may check for plagiarism and AI-generated content

Selected candidates must commit to fully attending training sessions, mock exams, and workshops

Register at: https://gecvietnam.com/exams