Vietnam's national team delivered another outstanding performance at this year's competition, with all five contestants winning medals - four golds and one silver.

The result placed Vietnam among the seven highest-performing countries at the competition and marked the country's best-ever performance in the history of the International Physics Olympiad.

Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc was one of the four Vietnamese students awarded a gold medal.

From top entrance scorer to international gold medalist

W-lê hồng phong_1.jpg
Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, a 12th-grade physics student at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in Ninh Binh Province.

Reflecting on her achievement, Ngoc said she was both surprised and overjoyed. As soon as participants were allowed to share their results, she immediately called her mother with the good news.

Ngoc grew up in a family of three children in Ninh Cuong Commune, Ninh Binh Province. From an early age, she was fascinated by the natural phenomena around her.

When she began studying physics in lower secondary school, she discovered that many of the questions she had long wondered about could be explained through scientific laws, deepening her passion for the subject.

Three years ago, Ngoc entered Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted as the top scorer in the school's specialized physics entrance examination.

Because her home is nearly 40 kilometers from the school, she chose to live in the dormitory. Those years away from home helped her develop independence, discipline and a proactive approach to learning. Throughout high school, she consistently excelled in academic competitions.

In both the 10th and 11th grades, she ranked first and won gold medals at the Regional Competition for Gifted High Schools in the Northern Coastal and Red River Delta region.

During the 11th grade, she also won first prize in the provincial physics competition, second prize in Vietnam's national physics competition and qualified for the selection process for the international Olympiad team.

In her final year of high school, she won first prize in the national physics competition and finished as the national runner-up.

Before earning gold at IPhO 2026, Ngoc had also won a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO).

Passion and persistence are the keys

W-lê hồng phong_1.jpg
Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc with physics teacher Nguyen Hai Duong, who leads the school's national physics Olympiad team.

Ngoc said her greatest source of encouragement has always been her family.

Although she has lived away from home since the 10th grade, her parents have consistently supported and encouraged her. They never placed pressure on her to achieve high results, instead urging her simply to do her best.

She also credits her teachers' dedication and the encouragement of friends for helping her overcome the demanding periods of Olympiad preparation.

Discussing her study habits, Ngoc said she focuses on building a solid understanding of fundamental knowledge from the beginning while actively seeking additional resources to broaden her perspective.

For her, success in physics is not about studying longer hours but about understanding the underlying principles behind each phenomenon. Whenever she encounters a difficult problem, she no longer forces herself to solve it immediately.

"I used to insist on finding the answer to every difficult problem right away. But the harder I pushed, the more stuck I became, sometimes even doubting my own abilities. Later, I learned to accept that I didn't have to solve everything immediately. I would move on to another problem and return later with a clearer mind. That's usually when I found the solution," she said.

From that experience, Ngoc believes maintaining emotional balance is just as important as acquiring knowledge.

In the days leading up to the International Physics Olympiad, she focused on reviewing key concepts, maintaining a healthy daily routine and balancing study with physical exercise to stay mentally and physically fit.

Her physics teacher, Nguyen Hai Duong, who leads the school's national physics team, described Ngoc as an exceptionally hardworking, determined and resilient student.

"Ngoc has remarkable determination. Once she sets a goal, she pursues it with unwavering commitment and never gives up easily when facing difficulties. That is an admirable quality. She also willingly helps her teammates throughout the training process," he said.

Looking ahead, Ngoc plans to study Electronics and Telecommunications at Hanoi University of Science and Technology while also considering overseas study opportunities if the right one arises. She hopes her story will encourage more young people - especially girls - to pursue science.

"Many people still believe girls face greater challenges in science. But I think success depends not on gender, but on passion and perseverance. If you truly love something, pursue it with confidence, and your efforts will be rewarded. I hope my journey can inspire more young people, especially girls, who are passionate about science," she said.

Trong Tung