Amid the dynamism of Ho Chi Minh City, some schools have stood for nearly a century or longer, witnessing generations of change and educating countless students and intellectuals. Beyond their role in education, these campuses preserve part of the memory and history of Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City.
From a school of patriotism to a cradle of talent
Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted was built in 1927 under the name Collège Petrus Ky, or Petrus Truong Vinh Ky Secondary School, but did not open its first academic year until 1928, with around 200 students. Designed in the French classical architectural style, the school stands on Nguyen Van Cu Street in what was formerly District 5, now Cho Quan Ward, on a spacious, leafy campus.
From its earliest years, the school was not only a place of learning but was also closely associated with the history of student and youth movements in Saigon. Generations of patriotic students and young people from Petrus Ky took part in movements against French and later US involvement through class boycotts, strikes and demonstrations.
One of the school’s most prominent former students was Tran Van On. On January 9, 1950, he was killed while joining students in Saigon-Cho Lon in protests against French rule and in support of students’ rights. His death sparked a major wave of demonstrations across Saigon-Cho Lon. January 9 was later designated Traditional Day of Vietnamese Students. Other former students associated with Vietnam’s national liberation movement included Ho Hao Hon and Nguyen Thai Binh.
Many prominent figures in education, science, architecture, music and revolutionary activities also studied at the school. They included professors Nguyen Van Chi and Pham Thieu; architect Huynh Tan Phat; professor, academician and Labor Hero Tran Dai Nghia; professor, academician and musician Luu Huu Phuoc; professor and musician Tran Van Khe; and professor Nguyen Ngoc Tran.
In the 1976-1977 academic year, the school was officially named after late Party General Secretary Le Hong Phong.
Another important milestone came in the 1981-1982 academic year, when the school established its first specialized mathematics division. By the 1990-1991 academic year, it was formally assigned the task of providing specialized education for gifted students in Ho Chi Minh City.
In 1995, the prime minister designated Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted as a high-quality education center serving southern provinces and cities. From then on, the school not only trained gifted students for Ho Chi Minh City but also became a regional leader in academic activities, exchanges and gifted education.
Outstanding achievements of a cradle for gifted students
In the more than 30 years following 1975, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted educated more than 15,000 high school graduates. More than 7,000 went on to universities, while over 300 received scholarships to study at universities abroad.
Since 1996, the school’s high school graduation rate has remained close to 100%, while more than 90% of its students have gained admission to universities.
Its record in gifted-student competitions has been particularly notable. From the 1991-1992 to 2004-2005 academic years, students won 1,333 prizes in city-level competitions for outstanding students, 382 national prizes and 11 awards at international Olympiads in informatics, chemistry, biology and Russian.
Beyond training high-achieving students, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted has also helped create academic competitions with broad influence across the region.
In 1995, the school hosted the first traditional April 30 Olympiad for Grade 10 and 11 students from specialized high schools across southern Vietnam. In the competition’s first 10 editions, Le Hong Phong topped the overall standings nine times.
Also from 1995, the school was authorized to organize the Royal Australian Chemical Institute examination in Vietnam. The examination was conducted under authorization from the Australian institution, which was responsible for both the test papers and grading.
In academic publishing, the school’s teachers compiled more than 30 mathematics, physics and chemistry books for students in Grades 10-12, which were distributed nationwide.
The school has also received numerous honors and awards over the course of its history. It was awarded the Third-Class Labor Order by the state president in 1989 and the Second-Class Labor Order in 2001. In 2004, it was granted the title of Labor Hero Unit in the Renewal Period.
Nearly a century of development and 27 principals
Over its nearly 100-year history, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted has had 27 principals.
In its early period from 1927 to 1947, the school was successively led by French principals Banchelin, Valencot, Anpre'Neveu, Lejeannic and Tallade.
In 1947, Le Van Kiem became the first Vietnamese principal in the school’s history. He was followed by educators including Pham Van Con, Nguyen Van Kinh, Nguyen Van Tho, Nguyen Van Truong, Pham Van Luoc, Nguyen Thanh Liem, Tran Ngoc Thai and Tran Van Thu.
From 1969 to 1975, Tran Ngoc Thai, Tran Van Nhon, Bui Vinh Lap and Nguyen Minh Duc successively served as principal. After 1975, Nguyen Van Thien held the position from 1975 to 1977.
La Thi Hanh then served as principal from 1977 to 1991. She was followed by Nguyen Huu Danh from 1991 to 1997, Dang Thanh Chau from 1997 to 2005, Vo Anh Dung from 2005 to 2014, Nguyen Thi Yen Trinh from 2014 to 2019, and Pham Thi Be Hien from 2019 to 2026.
On August 27, 2026, Ho Tan Minh became the 27th principal of Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted.
Le Huyen
Vietnamnet.vn
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