Nguyễn Tuấn Phong (first from left) is among students being honoured as international award-winning students. VNA/VNS Photo Thái Hùng

BẮC NINH – In the 2023 International Olympiad competition, all four students from the Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students have achieved awards, marking the most outstanding achievement in the history of elite education in northern Bắc Ninh Province.

Nguyễn Tuấn Phong, a former student of Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students, was the first person to bring home the gold medal at the 2023 International Physics Olympiad competition.

Phong was raised in a family where his mother was a teacher, and his siblings were all well-educated. This environment laid the initial foundation for his development.

From a very young age, Phong displayed exceptional abilities. His mother, Dương Thị Huân, said Phong had an extraordinary ability to memorise things with images since he was a little kid. He had a remarkable ability to concentrate and remember for a long time.

Phong always had a self-driven approach to his studies, and he achieved excellence in academics for 12 consecutive years.

Sharing his passion for physics, Phong said he developed an interest in physics when I studied at Hàn Thuyên Secondary School, a high-quality school in Lương Tài District.

“For me, physics is a natural science subject that is widely applicable in daily life, allowing me to explore and explain natural phenomena and everyday occurrences," he said.

Three years later, Phong successfully entered Physics class at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students. In his first assessment exams, Phong demonstrated his exceptional abilities, and was chosen to be in the specialised team of the school.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, Phong won second prize in Physics at the National Excellent Student Contest when he was in the 11th grade.

At the 2022 European Physics Olympiad, Phong excellently achieved the silver medal, obtaining the highest score for the Vietnamese delegation. In the 2022-2023 academic year, he won the first prize in Physics at the National Excellent Student Contest and secured the bronze medal at the Asian Physics Olympiad competition.

Phạm Đình Hiệp, physics teacher at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students said: "I noticed his talent since he was in 10th grade. He was always dedicated when handling difficult theoretical and practical tasks. Phong was the first student in the province to win the international gold medal."

Sharing his secrets to excelling in Physics, Phong said one must have a genuine passion for the subject, and find the motivation to explore, research, and overcome difficulties of the subject.

“Throughout my studies, I always complete the assignments given by my teachers, and spend time discussing and learning with them and my friends. I also research materials online, especially those related to the upcoming competitions," he said.

Currently, Phong is focusing on the International Physics Olympiad next year.

Phong said maintaining a relaxed and confident mindset and ensuring proper rest was among the keys of his success.

“Remaining calm is crucial for handling challenges during competitions,” he added.

Chemistry competitions

At the 55th International Chemistry Olympiad held in Switzerland in 2023, Nguyen Kim Giang, a 12th grader at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students, was among three students to achieve a gold medal to Việt Nam.

Nguyễn Kim Giang, second from right, along with his teacher and fellow students studying in the laboratory at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thương

Giang said he stumbled upon chemistry by chance. Being an excellent student at Nguyễn Cao Middle School, he was selected to participate in the school's chemistry team.

After successfully entering chemistry class at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students, Giang was quickly chosen to be part of the talented student development team. Consequently, he devoted a significant amount of time to the subject, gradually developing a deep passion for it.

Chemistry became an integral part of his life. According to Giang, studying chemistry allowed him to easily explain various phenomena, conduct research on the composition, structure, properties, and changes in matter. It felt closely connected to everyone's daily life.

Giang said among the topics, the periodic table was the most challenging, demanding a deep understanding of the elements and their groups. Therefore, whenever he faced difficulties or couldn't solve a problem, he sought help from her teachers.

"Trần Đình Hiếu, my chemistry teacher, once won the silver medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad. He was a strong source of inspiration, nurturing my love, passion, and determination to reach the pinnacle in the International Chemistry Olympiad," he said.

Nguyễn Thị Hà, teacher at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students, described Giang as a diligent, determined, and persevering student.

Giang possessed all the qualities needed: intelligence, excellent problem-solving skills, a strong determination, high levels of concentration to achieve his set goals, Hà said.

After winning the second prize at the national level twice and securing his place on the list of students to represent Việt Nam in the International Chemistry Olympiad, Giang focused intensively and achieved excellent results.

Talking about the moment when her son was announced on the stage to receive the prestigious gold medal, Nguyễn Thị Hà, Giang's mother, shared: "Watching the live broadcast of the award ceremony, the moment when my child's name was called for the highest medal in the competition, our whole family burst into tears of joy. We were overwhelmed with both happiness and pride.”

“It is a well-deserved reward for his relentless efforts, but it's also a way for Giang to repay the dedication of his teachers," she said.

Đỗ Thu Hiền, who accompanied Giang on the journey to Switzerland for the International Chemistry Olympiad, said that Kim Giang had overcome a challenging competition, securing the 10th position globally.

With this achievement, Giang continues to be an inspiration for future generations aiming to conquer the heights of the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Nguyễn Hữu Tiến Hùng, a 11th grader at Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students, said during his academic journey, the dedication and effort of Giang have provided him with motivation and determination to achieve good results.

In 2023, Hùng won the gold medal in the Asian Chemistry Olympiad. In the upcoming school year, his goal would be to be one of the students representing Việt Nam in the International Chemistry Olympiad like Giang.

Giang (in the middle) and his fellow students share their joy after winning regional and international awards. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thương

This year, Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students had three students who received awards in regional and international chemistry competitions. Nguyễn Kim Giang won the gold medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad, Nguyễn Hữu Tiến Hùng won the gold medal at the Asian Chemistry Olympiad, and Trương Bảo Ngọc secured the silver medal at the Asian Chemistry Olympiad.

Both Phong and Giang considered themselves fortunate to have studied at a school with a rich tradition and a strong track record in regional and international physics competitions. Bắc Ninh High School for Gifted Students has firmly established its position on the global physics education map. – VNS