Vietnamese students strike gold win at world's toughest chemistry competition

The two gold medalists are Tran Trung Kien, a 12th grader from the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, who scored 169.25 points, and Nguyen Ngo Duc, a 12th grader from Phan Boi Chau High School for Gifted Students in north-central Nghe An Province, who scored 151.05 points.

The silver medals went to Dinh Trong An, a 12th grader from the High School for Gifted Students of the University of Science under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, with 149.70 points, and Tran Hoang Nam, an 11th grader from the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, who scored 136.65 points.

The 59th International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad took place in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, from May 5 to 12.

Vietnam’s team was selected based on the results of the national selection exam for regional and international Olympiads held in March, alongside the main team for the International Chemistry Olympiad.

The Ministry of Education and Training assigned the University of Science under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi to train this group.

The participation in the competition aims to expand opportunities for international academic exchange, enhance students' capabilities, and provide outstanding students with access to high-quality, large-scale academic activities.

The International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and challenging competitions in chemistry for high school students.

The 2025 edition attracted 192 contestants from 40 countries and territories, including those with strong chemistry education traditions such as China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan.

Contestants had to go through three rounds in three days, each lasting five hours, with the rounds one and two being theoretical exams and the other being a practical exam.

Official awards were presented to the top 60-percent of the participants, with gold, silver, and bronze medals distributed in a 1:2:3 ratio.

The outstanding achievements of the Vietnamese student team continue to affirm the capability, intelligence, and integration readiness of the young Vietnamese generation on the international stage.