Vietnamese students post top international English scores as homegrown method gains attention

In January 2026, 10-year-old Tran Dinh Hoang Phuc in Ho Chi Minh City drew widespread attention online after earning an overall band score of 8.0 on the IELTS exam.

The fourth-grade public school student surprised many not only with his score, but with his comment that he felt "a bit sad because the test seemed easy."

Phuc scored 8.5 in listening, speaking and reading, and 7.0 in writing.

He said he felt slightly regretful that with just 0.5 more in any skill, his overall score would have been 8.5.

"Thanks to the effective method I learned, I was able to grasp the main ideas quickly in the exam room and found the test much easier," Phuc said.

"Even in reading passages with difficult topics such as history, economics, culture and technology, the method helped me extract key ideas quickly, even when I didn't know all the vocabulary.

"That helped me overcome fear. It also helped me present ideas clearly and persuasively in both speaking and writing."

Phuc's father, Tran Dinh Hoang Hung, said the family cares deeply about their son's education but did not want him studying day and night.

For that reason, finding a method that was both effective and time-efficient was essential.

After researching different options, they decided to enroll him in an English program using the Linearthinking method.

He said what makes him happiest is that since beginning the program, his son has remained enthusiastic about learning English.

Nguyen Ngoc Linh Dan, an eighth-grade student at Tran Dai Nghia Middle and High School in Ho Chi Minh City, also described her surprise and pride after achieving an overall IELTS score of 8.5 just before the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, which lasted from February 14 to 22.

"I think the biggest difference with Linearthinking is its accuracy and speed," Dan said.

She explained that writing had previously been her most challenging skill because she struggled to develop ideas and often repeated vocabulary and structures in essays.

After applying the method, she said she was able to use more varied language.

For speaking, she said the method provided tools such as expanding topics and identifying causes, which gave her a structured way to develop ideas.

Her speaking score improved from 6.0 to 8.0. In reading, she said the approach helped her eliminate distracting information and think more analytically, enabling her to achieve a score of 9.0.

The method has also been credited with improvements in other international exams.

Duong Nghiep Phat, a student at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School in Ho Chi Minh City, said his SAT score rose from 1,230 to 1,580 after three months of applying the Linearthinking approach.

"This result far exceeded my expectations because I initially aimed for 1,450," Phat said.

He explained that the method improved his performance in both math and verbal sections, including reading comprehension, grammar and language reasoning.

"There were mistakes I made three times before, but Linearthinking systematized them and made the errors clear and easy to recognize and avoid," Phat said.

Phat, who enjoys research and academic reading, said he now feels capable of analyzing complex research papers independently and understanding key ideas without relying on artificial intelligence tools to summarize or think for him.

Linearthinking is described as a thinking-based English learning system designed specifically for Vietnamese learners.

It combines mathematical logic, advanced memory techniques, and research on how a learner's mother tongue influences English acquisition.

The method has been developed since 2018 at DOL English by alumni of the High School for Gifted Students under Vietnam National University–Ho Chi Minh City, including Le Dinh Luc, a mathematics major, and Ha Dang Nhu Quynh, a literature major who achieved an IELTS score of 9.0.

The approach focuses not only on improving listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, but also on strengthening logical thinking, knowledge systemization, and natural language application.

According to DOL English, three of its teachers have achieved IELTS scores of 9.0, and hundreds of students, many of them in middle and high school, have earned IELTS scores ranging from 8.0 to 8.5.

Lực's education startup received the Tuoi Tre Startup Award in 2022.

Following the award, DOL English and the Linearthinking method expanded to multiple provinces and were recognized by Vietnam's Intellectual Property Office.

"I believe making money can bring happiness, but creating value is what truly fulfills me," Luc said.

He donated his entire prize money to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper's school scholarship fund at the awards ceremony.

"There are many talented Vietnamese people who need financial support," Luc stated.

"My startup teaches English, but we are 100 percent Vietnamese because we absolutely believe in Vietnamese intelligence and people."