Vietnamese Math Olympiad Silver Medalist Secures PhD Scholarship at Asia's Top University

Dinh Vu Tung Lam, 23, an International Mathematical Olympiad silver medalist, has secured a scholarship to pursue a PhD in mathematics at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), which ranks first in Asia and 11th globally. He will study under the guidance of Fields Medalist Ngo Bao Chau. Lam received the offer on July 7, two weeks after graduating from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) with first-class honors in advanced pure mathematics. The scholarship is worth approximately HK$19,000 (US$2,424) per month for the first two years, with expectations of an increase based on his academic and research performance. At HKU, Lam will delve into cluster algebra, a mathematical area connected to representation theory and related fields. Three professors from the mathematics department will supervise his four-year program, with his principal supervisor being Chau, Vietnam’s sole Fields Medalist, whom Lam has admired since childhood. Lam was diagnosed with autism as a child and displayed an early aptitude for mathematics. With support from his family and teachers, and sustained personal effort, he honed his abilities and gained admission to the High School for Gifted Students at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In 2021, he won a silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad and was admitted to an honors bachelor’s program in mathematics at the University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. He later enrolled at HKUST to expand his knowledge and identify a research direction. His interest in cluster algebra ignited in 2024 after HKUST professor Ivan Ip introduced him to the subject. Lam became increasingly drawn to the field due to its connections with other mathematical branches like algebraic geometry and combinatorics. This interest propelled him toward pursuing a doctorate, which he views not merely as an extension of his education but as the commencement of a serious research career. He acknowledges that becoming a researcher requires formulating questions, persisting with difficult problems, and accepting periods of uncertainty. "I know there are many difficulties ahead, but I am deeply interested in mathematics’ fascinating, unresolved questions, as well as its practical significance," he stated. While mathematics came naturally, Lam faced challenges in subjects such as physics, chemistry, and Chinese. With a conviction to never give up and patiently seek solutions, he sought help from friends, teaching assistants, and professors to improve. Professor Ip noted Lam’s distinct research style, characterized by a combination of deep understanding, diligence, and meticulousness. Lam pays close attention to definitions and logical structures, dedicating time to ensure complete clarity. Ip often teased Lam for being "too detailed," as he would arrive at meetings with meticulously prepared documents and fill the whiteboard with notes. This attention to detail became one of his strengths. Ip also remarked that Lam’s computational ability was comparable to that of an experienced analytic number theorist. As part of HKUST’s undergraduate research opportunities program, Lam produced nearly 300 pages of notes and calculations, earning him an award for one of the program’s best papers in 2025. He also won the HKUST Undergraduate Mathematics Championship three times and received an S.S. Chern Class scholarship for students with outstanding achievements in mathematics. Despite these accomplishments, Lam views personal honors as a minor part of a much longer journey. His priority is to continue developing as a researcher and eventually give back to the wider community, hoping his research will benefit math communities in Vietnam and internationally. He also desires to teach and share his knowledge with young Vietnamese interested in mathematics, focusing on understanding theorems and solving and presenting problems. He is currently studying additional materials in preparation for his doctoral program. Lam plans to develop and broaden a research direction that originated from a paper he wrote as an undergraduate. "I do not want to think of myself as someone special; I am simply a person who loves mathematics and wants to pursue research seriously," he said. "I feel fortunate to have received so much support, and I want to help more young people find opportunities that suit them." Subsidiary of VnExpress License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information and Communications, September 22, 2021 Editor-in-Chief: Pham Van Hieu Email: [email protected]: 028 7300 9999 - Ext 8556 10th floor, Block A FPT Tower, 10 Pham Van Bach, Cau Giay Ward, Hanoi