Tung Lam was the top scorer in Physics with a 9.5 score and a total admission score of 46.75/50, leading the entire school. Tuan Lam was a salutatorian with scores of 8.5 in Math and 8.25 in Literature. Both got a perfect 10 in English.

Do Bien Thuy, the twins’ father, said that it was a big surprise to him and his wife. After the exam, the twins said they “did okay,” leading their parents to temper expectations.

Thuy recalled that during the intense preparation for the grade 10 entrance exam, the twins studied day and night, pulling the whole family into their routine. At times, their parents and grandparents wanted to slow them down.

Besides morning and afternoon classes, the twins attended extra evening lessons. Most dinners were eaten on the go, with only one evening a week at home. “Parents took turns: after work, we’d quickly eat, then carry two lunch boxes to deliver to the kids and drive them to study sessions,” Thuy said.

Sometimes, while discussing schoolwork during commutes between study locations, Tung Lam and Tuan Lam fell asleep in the car.

Sometimes, at 2-3am, the parents had to remind the kids to go to bed. “The kids were self-motivated; we never forced them. We only encouraged them to balance study and rest while ensuring their meals and sleep,” Thuy said. 

The 43-year-old father noted that despite their late nights and waking at 4-5am to study, the twins insisted, “We learn better at that time.”

The turning point

Born prematurely with modest weights (1.8 kg and 1.7 kg), Tung Lam and Tuan Lam had an average academic record through primary school and up to grade 6, typically ranking in the top 10 or 15 in their class. 

The turning point came in grade 7 when they developed a passion for Physics. Encouraged and mentored by their teachers, by grade 8, they competed in advanced Natural Science exams. Tung Lam won second place at the city level and third at the provincial level, while Tuan Lam earned third and honorable mention. A year later, both secured gold medals in the school’s Physics Olympiad and first place at the provincial level.

With clear goals, right after the grade 10 exam, Tuan Lam enrolled in an online Russian course, aiming to study engineering and science in Russia. Tung Lam plans to pursue Physics in depth and compete in major exams. 

Hoang Linh