This marks the best achievement in the history of Vietnam’s participation in the International Physics Olympiad. Although the number of medals matches the 2017 record (4 Gold and 1 Silver), this year Vietnam, for the first time, had two students achieve a perfect score of 30/30 in the theoretical exam.
Vietnam’s national team at the 2026 International Physics Olympiad (Source: Ministry of Education and Training)
The 56th International Physics Olympiad took place from July 4th to 12th in Bucaramanga, Santander (Colombia), with 381 students from 85 countries and territories participating. The competition consisted of two exams: a theoretical and a practical test, each lasting 5 hours, designed to comprehensively assess knowledge, analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and practical physics skills.
Vietnam’s team secured 4 Gold Medals, awarded to: Vũ Nguyên Nguyên, 11th grade, Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted (Hanoi); Nguyễn Nhật Minh, 11th grade, High School for Gifted in Natural Sciences, University of Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi); Tạ Ngọc Minh, 12th grade, Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted; and Nguyễn Thị Bích Ngọc, 12th grade, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted (Ninh Binh). Notably, Vũ Nguyên Nguyên and Nguyễn Nhật Minh both achieved a perfect score of 30/30 in the theoretical exam.
The Silver Medal was awarded to Lê Duy Khánh, 11th grade, Lam Son High School for the Gifted (Thanh Hoa).
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the quality of medals this year surpasses recent years. In 2025, the team won 1 Gold and 4 Silver medals; in 2024, they achieved 2 Gold and 3 Silver medals; and in 2023, they secured 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 1 Bronze medals.
The Ministry highlights that this year’s team stands out not only for having two students achieve perfect scores in the theoretical exam but also for its diverse composition, including 2 female students—one of the few teams at IPhO with a high female representation. Additionally, 3 out of the 5 team members are in 11th grade, showcasing the continuity and potential of Vietnam’s talented physics students in the coming years.
The Ministry of Education and Training states that the results at IPhO 2026 demonstrate the effectiveness of national student selection and training programs. They also contribute to the realization of STEM education initiatives and the development of high-quality human resources in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
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