Three 12th graders from Bac Giang High School for Gifted Students in Bac Giang Province, northern Vietnam have made history by winning gold medals at two recent international Olympiads, a remarkable achievement for the province, according to the school's principal.

Among the trio, Than The Cong and Truong Phi Hung secured gold medals at the 2024 International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), which concluded earlier this week in Iran.

They were part of a five-member Vietnamese team, with the other two members earning bronze medals.

The 54th IPhO was hosted by the Isfahan University of Technology in the Iranian city of Isfahan from July 21 to 29, attracting 198 contestants from 46 countries and territories.

In addition to Cong and Hung, Giap Vu Son Ha, another 12th-grade student from the same school, struck gold at the 2024 International Chemistry Olympiad, which ended in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Alongside Ha, three other members of the Vietnamese team secured two additional golds and one silver in a competition that featured 327 participants from 89 countries and territories.

In an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Hung shared that while he was not worried about theoretical questions, he had some concerns about practical skills going into the Olympiad.

To prepare, he dedicated much of his free time to honing his lab skills, relying on self-directed learning as well as guidance from his teachers.

Hung spotlighted the importance of self-study and careful preparation, which contributed to his success.

His close classmate Cong echoed these sentiments, admitting that despite thorough training, he felt anxious because of the Olympiad's lengthy questions spread over many pages.

He reminded himself to stay focused during the competition to avoid mistakes and achieve the best possible results.

Cong added that when faced with challenging problems, he never gives up but seeks help from teachers and classmates.

“I always strive to study hard and improve my English to become a physics researcher or electrical engineer in the future,” Cong told Tuoi Tre.

Ha also emphasized thorough preparation for any contest to achieve top results.

“After class, I delve deeper into the material by researching related topics from credible online sources and reviewing past lessons,” he said.

He mentioned the importance of maintaining good health and a stable mental state during the Olympiad to be at his best.

Nguyen Duy Phuong, principal of Bac Giang High School for Gifted Students, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the students' achievements, expressing pride and joy on behalf of the entire school community and the Bac Giang education sector.

“The entire school community, including all the teachers and students, as well as the education sector of Bac Giang, is thrilled and proud of our students' achievements at the Olympiads,” said the principal.

Phuong attributed these achievements to the emphasis on and investment in education by the Bac Giang education sector and the provincial administration.

As a result of their outstanding accomplishments, Cong, Hung, and Ha received certificates of merit and bonuses of nearly VND122 million (US$4,840) each from the chairman of the Bac Giang administration, in addition to other cash rewards and gifts from various organizations and individuals.

Two teachers who directly trained the students during their Olympiad preparations also received cash gifts and certificates of merit.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!