Đỗ Hải Nam has a passion for maths and has won several awards in competitions. Photo vietnamnet.vn

HÀ NỘI - Đỗ Hải Nam, a student in Hà Nội, impressed many people by achieving two perfect scores during the entrance exam for the specialised Mathematics programme at the High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE High School).

With perfect scores in both test rounds, Nam not only secured admission but also qualified for a scholarship and became the valedictorian at HNUE High School.

Founded in 1966 as a national public institution to nurture Vietnamese students gifted in mathematics, the school is the second oldest gifted school in Việt Nam.

The school boasts a list of alumni, including political leaders, entrepreneurs, world-class university professors and artists. Established as a school for math talents, in recent years, HNUE High School has expanded to include other subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, English and literature.

According to teachers, very few students were able to achieve perfect scores in both rounds of the exam for 10th-grade admission to specialised schools.

Prior to this, Nam also passed the entrance exam for both the specialised Mathematics and Physics programmes at the High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi University of Science, and ranked among the top.

Speaking about his scores in mathematics, Nam expressed his surprise and overwhelming joy upon learning his results.

His mother Phan Thanh Thúy, said that the family did not impose any pressure, but Nam set clear goals and demonstrated a strong desire to ace this exam. “He aimed to do his best in the entrance exam for HNUE High School.”

Thúy said that Nam had had a love and passion for mathematics since he was young. "He enjoys finding ways to solve difficult maths problems, and when he succeeds, he feels very happy, as if he has overcome a challenge."

Since a young age, Nam has won numerous awards in mathematics competitions at various levels. In 6th grade, he won a Silver Medal in the Olympic and International Mathematical and Science Olympiad (IMSO). In 9th grade, he achieved Second Prize in the district-level and city-level mathematics competitions for outstanding students.

Thúy said that her son is introverted, self-motivated, and independent. Nam does not study excessively, but when needed, he can focus intensively.

Nam's simple secret to studying mathematics is using a scientific approach, focusing on mastering the core knowledge before delving into new concepts.

Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Linh, Nam's homeroom teacher and mathematics teacher said she wasn't surprised by his exam results. Nam's outstanding abilities had been evident throughout his learning journey, and these results were well-deserved, she said.

Linh described Nam as an intelligent student with excellent qualities who is diligent and determined. "Nam is quite introverted. He is always engrossed in doing mathematics and physics exercises."

She often encountered the sight of Nam deeply immersed in solving difficult maths problems, even during leisure time.

Currently, Nam is awaiting the results of the entrance exam for Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students and has not yet decided which school he will attend. However, he has already determined that he will continue to pursue his passion for mathematics in the future. — VNS