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The Vietnamese team has achieved an exceptional feat, winning four gold medals at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025. In the medal standings, Vietnam tied with China and the United States for the highest number of gold medals.
Held from July 5 to July 14 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the 57th IChO attracted 354 participants from 90 countries and territories. The Vietnamese team’s outstanding performance included two gold medals ranking in the top 10 globally.
The results of the Vietnamese students are as follows:
Ngo Quang Minh, a 12th-grade student from Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted, Bac Ninh province, ranked 7th.
Nguyen Hoang Khoi, a 12th-grade student from the High School for Gifted Students under Hanoi National University of Education, ranked 10th.
Giang Duc Dung, a 12th-grade student from the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences under the University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, ranked 14th.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, an 11th-grade student from Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, ranked 37th.
With four gold medals, Vietnam stood on equal footing with China and the United States in the medal rankings.
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According to the Ministry of Education and Training, this is the first time in history that Vietnam has secured four gold medals at an in-person International Chemistry Olympiad. This year’s achievement continues a strong tradition of Vietnamese excellence in international science competitions. Between 2020 and 2025, all 24 Vietnamese students participating in the Chemistry Olympiad earned medals, including 21 golds and 3 silvers.
The success highlights the high caliber of Vietnam’s specialized high school education alongside general education and reflects the Ministry’s effective strategy in identifying, selecting, and nurturing talented students.
The International Chemistry Olympiad consists of a five-hour theoretical exam and a five-hour practical exam. At IChO 2025, the practical component required candidates to master a range of laboratory skills from basic to advanced, such as synthesizing and analyzing coordination compounds, identifying amino acids, recognizing organic compounds using thin-layer chromatography, titration, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The exam demanded accuracy, logical thinking, and advanced laboratory proficiency.
The theoretical exam focused on real-world applications and issues such as seawater desalination, solar energy, tennis balls, and lanterns. Students were expected to apply integrated knowledge and critical thinking to solve complex problems. The 2025 exam structure was praised for its innovation and relevance to everyday life, while maintaining scientific rigor.
