Hanoi's 10th grader bags gold at 61st Int’l Mathematical Olympiad

As announced on September 27 by the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnamese students have won two gold, one silver, two bronze medals and one honourable mention at the 61st International Mathematical Olympiad 2020. 

Accordingly, the two gold medals went to Ngo Quy Dang, a 10th grader, and Truong Tuan Nghia, an 11th grader, of the High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University (VNU). 

All six members of the Vietnamese team participating in the 61st International Mathematical Olympiad won prizes. Photo: VNA.

This is the first time a 10th grader has clinched a gold medal for Vietnam at an International Mathematical Olympiad. Ngo Quy Dang won 36/42 points.

The solitary silver medal went to Nguyen Mac Nam Trung, a 12th grader from the High School for the Gifted under the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM).

Chu Thi Thanh, a 12th grader from the Vinh Phuc High School for the Gifted in Vinh Phuc Province, and Tran Nhat Minh, a 12th grader from the Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in Nam Dinh Province, both grabbed bronze medals.

Dinh Vu Tung Lam, a 11th grader from the High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi University of Science, VNU, received a Certificate of Merit at the competition.

A total of six Vietnamese students took part in the contest held virtually from St. Petersburg, Russia, from September 21-22. The event, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attracted the participation of 616 contestants from 105 countries and territories.

China came in first with five golds and one silver. The other top 10 of this year's IMO competition were Russia, USA, Korea, Thailand, Italia, Poland, Australia, the UK, and Brazil.

Winning two golds, one silver, two bronzes and one honourable mention, the Vietnamese team ranked 17th out of the 105 participating teams overall. Notable results achieved by the Vietnamese team down the years include being ranked third at the IMO in 1999, 2007, and 2017.

Other significant years include the 2004 version of the IMO when Vietnam claimed four gold and two silver medals, while in 2018 all six Vietnamese students won medals, including one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes.

Last year’s event also saw all of the Vietnamese contestants win medals, including two golds and four silvers.