The contest is being held for the first time in Vietnam and will run until July 23. Participants will undergo a two-part exam including theory and practice tests at the Hanoi National University of Education. The tests were developed by Vietnamese Biology teachers and scientists over several rounds to ensure that the tests were of an international standard and feature new aspects.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said that in recent years Vietnam has hosted several successful International Olympiads such as the Asian Physics Olympiad in 2004, the International Mathematical Olympiad in 2007, the International Physics Olympiad in 2008 and the International Chemistry Olympiad in 2014.

Vietnam first attended the IBO in 1996 and Vietnamese students have brought home one gold, ten silver and 45 bronze medals over the years of joining the contest.

This year Vietnam is hosting the IBO 2016. This is vivid evidence of the recognition and confidence of the international community for the development of Vietnam’s education, Minister Nha said.

IBO 2016 offers an opportunity for teachers and students to strengthen co-operation, share experiences and promote the spirit of learning and research of Biology, while creating opportunities to expand relations and scientific capacity building for the community of Biology worldwide, the minister affirmed.

Vietnam is sending four contestants to the contest, including two from Hanoi, one from Quang Ninh and one from Thanh Hoa province.

In addition to participating in the contest, students and teachers will have the chance to visit scenic landscapes and learn about Vietnamese culture, during trips to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Bat Trang pottery village, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, and the Trang An eco-tourism complex-Bai Dinh pagoda in Ninh Binh, as well as a range of cultural exchange programmes.

The first IBO was held in Olomouc, former Czechoslovakia in July 1990 with the participation of six countries, last year the IBO 2015 was held in Denmark with 61 participating countries.