At the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Australia, Tran Minh Hoang, a 12th-grade student from the Math 1 class at Ha Tinh Gifted High School, won a gold medal, raising the school’s total international gold medals to six. Previously, Minh Hoang earned a silver medal in 2024.

Over many years, the school has consistently produced students with outstanding results at international Olympiads. Notable examples include Phan Nhat Duy, who won gold at the 2017 IMO, ranking third in Vietnam’s team; Vo Anh Duc, who secured gold in 2013 with 34/42 points, the highest in Vietnam’s team; and Trinh Kim Chi, who won gold at the 1998 Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad.

The school also produces excellent students in Chemistry, with students winning gold at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) for two consecutive years: Dinh Cao Son in 2023, ranking seventh out of 350 competitors, and Phan Xuan Hanh in 2022.

Other students also earned silver and bronze medals at regional and international Olympiads, contributing to the school’s impressive “record of achievements.”

The school students also shine at national academic competitions, with 1,651 students earning national awards since its founding in 1991, placing it among the country’s top schools in both quantity and quality of awards.

Additionally, the school consistently ranks among the nation’s top in annual high school graduation exams, with many students achieving national and provincial valedictorian titles.

Most recently, the 12th-grade Chemistry class celebrated remarkable achievements, with three students earning provincial valedictorian titles in the A00 (math, physics, chemistry) and B00 (math, chemistry, biology) exam groups and several others achieving high scores at the national high school finals.

Nguyen Doan Khanh Ly scored 29.5 points in the A00 exam group (Math 9.5, Physics 10, Chemistry 10), sharing the provincial A00 valedictorian title with Tran Cong Nguyen, who also scored 29.5 points (Math 9.5, Physics 10, Chemistry 10).

The Chemistry specialized class also had five students directly admitted (without having to attend exams) to Hanoi Medical University, one of the most prestigious universities setting sky-high cutoff scores when enrolling students.

Nguyen Thi My Binh, Vice Principal of Ha Tinh Gifted High School, said the students’ success results from their relentless efforts, the dedication of teachers, and close support from local authorities.

Binh emphasized that the school’s mission focuses on identifying and nurturing talented students to develop high-quality human resources for the country.

“The special teacher” and “superhero class”

Binh noted that besides students’ talent and family support, the key to winning international gold medals lies in the teachers’ dedication and passion.

“Our school is proud to have Tran Dinh Huu, a math teacher with exceptional expertise, not only in academics but also in inspiring students and igniting their passion for mathematics. He is highly regarded by colleagues and students for successfully training two students to win gold at IMOs,” Binh said.

Huu played a pivotal role in the success of Tran Minh Hoang and Phan Nhat Duy, who excelled on the international stage.

Beyond these two gold medalists, hundreds of students trained by Huu have won national math awards, with many gaining admission to prestigious universities in Vietnam and abroad.

Despite being called a “special teacher” in the math community, Tran Dinh Huu remains humble. He believes the key lies not in formulas or curricula but in creating a joyful learning environment that sparks passion and sustains interest in every lesson.

“Each student is unique, with different strengths and weaknesses. I always adjust my teaching methods to suit them, helping them maximize their potential,” Huu shared.

He also emphasizes connecting math to real-world scenarios, helping students understand and love the subject, not just helping them gain high exam scores. 

More than a knowledge provider, Huu inspires students’ life perspectives and shapes their character. In his classes, students learn not only math but also life skills, teamwork, and how to overcome pressure and challenges.

Classrs led by Huu are often called “superhero classes,” where students relentlessly strive and achieve outstanding results. Many of his former students have succeeded in science and technology, with some making their mark internationally.

Dau Tinh