Vietnamese students win four gold medals at int’l chemistry Olympiad 2025

The Vietnamese team has made history by winning four gold medals, including two in the top 10, at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), according to the Ministry of Education and Training.

This marks the first time Vietnam has claimed four golds in an IChO held in-person format.

The 57th IChO took place from July 5 to 14 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bringing together 354 contestants from 90 countries and territories.

The four gold medalists are Ngo Quang Minh, a 12th grader from Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted, Bac Ninh province (ranked 7th); Nguyen Hoang Khoi, a 12th grader from the High School for Gifted Students under Hanoi National University of Education (ranked 10th); Giang Duc Dung, a 12th grader from the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences under Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ranked 14th); and Nguyen Manh Tuan, an 11th grader from Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted (ranked 37th).

Vietnam tied with China and the US in the number of gold medals earned. This year’s outstanding results continue Vietnam’s impressive achivements in recent IChO competitions. From 2020 to 2025, all 24 Vietnamese contestants earned medals, including 21 golds and 3 silvers.

At the 57th IChO, participants took part in one theoretical exam and one practical test, each lasting five hours.

The practical exam required mastery of a wide range of experimental skills, from basic to advanced techniques. These included the synthesis and analysis of coordination compounds, amino acid identification, detection of organic compounds using thin-layer chromatography, titration, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The test demanded precision, logical thinking, and strong laboratory skills.

The theoretical exam focused on real-world chemistry-related topics such as seawater desalination, solar energy, tennis balls, and lanterns. It challenged contestants to apply integrated knowledge and critical thinking to solve practical problems. This year’s exam structure was praised for its creativity, real-life relevance, and scientific depth.