Many top-performing Vietnamese students in international and regional Olympiads choose to study abroad and remain overseas after graduation, raising concerns for the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).
Professor Huynh Van Chuong, Director General of the Quality Management Department under MOET, voiced these concerns during a conference held on November 7 to review the 2016–2025 period of training and preparing Vietnam’s national teams for international academic Olympiads.
According to Prof. Chuong, Vietnam’s education sector and local authorities have made significant investments in identifying, training, and rewarding gifted students.
These students have received timely praise and recognition from various levels of government and private enterprises.
However, after the competitions, there is a lack of in-depth training and development to further nurture these talents and connect them with national needs.
Prof. Chuong noted that many Olympiad medalists go abroad for higher education and then remain overseas for work opportunities.
“The medal is just the beginning. They have the potential to contribute to the nation for 40 more years. So how can we encourage them to return?” he asked.
He added that Vietnam still lacks concrete policies to effectively integrate these talented individuals into the country’s innovation and development efforts.
Prof. Huynh Van Chuong shares concerns about the increasing number of Olympiad-winning students who stay abroad after studying overseas. Photo: Thanh Hung
The ministry identifies three main reasons behind this brain drain.
First, there is no tailored training mechanism to attract and nurture these exceptional talents, pushing them to seek better opportunities abroad.
Second, Vietnam lacks attractive recruitment, compensation, and working environments for these individuals after they complete undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
Even those with a strong desire to contribute often hesitate to return.
Third, the country has yet to establish a systematic network to stay connected with these students and leverage their potential for national development.
Prof. Chuong said MOET plans to cooperate with other stakeholders starting this year to design a national strategy focused on identifying, training, utilizing, and rewarding young talents.
He also urged Vietnamese universities and research institutes to develop elite academic programs that can compete with international offerings and retain talented students.
“How do we convince these top students to study in Vietnam? Our dream is for those with Olympic medals to enroll in domestic programs that match international standards,” he said.
He stressed that retaining talent will not only help elevate Vietnam’s universities in global rankings but also contribute to raising academic standards nationwide.
In addition, the ministry plans to pilot programs allowing exceptionally talented students to skip grades for accelerated learning.
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong speaks at the conference. Photo: Tran Hiep
Nguyen Van Doa, a teacher at Bac Giang High School for the Gifted, shared that each international competition brings pride but also concern.
Despite their achievements, many students and families must independently seek scholarships and financial resources to continue their education.
“Some of these students have the potential to become world-class scientists, but the domestic system lacks long-term support mechanisms,” he said.
According to Doa, investing in Olympiad-winning students is not just about recognizing individual effort but investing in the intellectual future of the country.
He called for globally competitive incentives and support systems, including job opportunities, research environments, and fair compensation, to give these students a reason to return and contribute.
He also emphasized the need to build a talent development ecosystem and foster stronger international partnerships to retain and develop these exceptional minds.
At the event, Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong praised the teachers who have played a crucial role in preparing students for international success.
“The glory of the teacher is reflected in the success of their students,” he said.
“When a student wins an international medal, the world knows their name, but not many know the teachers who guided them from kindergarten through high school.”
“These teachers often go beyond their duties, sacrificing time and energy, supporting students’ meals, housing, and study materials. They are the silent heroes,” he added.
Vietnam has made significant strides in international Olympiads between 2016 and 2025, compared to the 2005–2015 period.
The total number of medals rose by 48, with 50 additional gold medals.
From 2016 to 2025, Vietnamese teams won 362 medals: 112 gold, 140 silver, 89 bronze, and 21 certificates of merit.
The 2020–2025 Chemistry Olympiad team alone sent 24 students to international competitions - all of whom won medals, including 21 golds and 3 silvers.
Vietnam remains among the top 10 countries in international Olympiads in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and informatics.
Some Vietnamese students have even won gold medals in international Olympiads while still in the 10th grade.
Vietnamnet.vn
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