Vietnam Joins China, Singapore in IMO Top 10

Vietnam achieved its best-ever result at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Shanghai, China, securing fifth place overall. The competition saw a record 666 contestants from 117 countries and territories. China topped the rankings with 232 points, with three of its contestants achieving perfect scores. The United States placed second with 207 points, followed by Russia with 196 points. Singapore secured fourth place with 169 points, while Vietnam followed closely in fifth with 168 points. South Korea was sixth with 167 points, and India seventh with 166 points. This marks the first time in 18 years that Vietnam has surpassed South Korea in the IMO standings. Vietnam's previous best placement was a top-three finish, achieved in 2017, 2007, and 1999. The remaining top-10 spots went to North Korea, the U.K., and Japan. Contestants found problems 3 and 6 to be the most challenging, while problems 1 and 4 were handled relatively well. All six Vietnamese students solved Problem 1 completely. Nguyen Dinh Tung, a 12th-grader, was the only Vietnamese contestant to earn full marks on Problem 3. The Vietnamese team particularly excelled in the geometry problem (Problem 2), scoring a combined 39 points, the highest among all participating teams. All six Vietnamese contestants earned medals, with two gold, three silver, and one bronze. Tung, competing for the second time, finished 14th individually with 36 points, upgrading his 2025 silver medal to gold in Problem 2. In Vietnam's one-party system, investment in education, particularly in STEM fields, is a key pillar of national development strategy. Success in international academic competitions is often highlighted domestically as evidence of effective educational policies. The academic competition and collaboration with neighboring Asian nations like China and Singapore are seen as contributing to the region's overall scientific and technological advancement. The Vietnamese team's significant achievement at the IMO suggests progress in the country's educational infrastructure and support for talented individuals, paralleling its economic growth. This success can be seen as enhancing Vietnam's profile on the international stage. Source: VnExpress International