The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has just announced the results of the Vietnamese team at the 2025 Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad.

The two gold medalists are Tran Trung Kien, a 12th-grade student at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, and Nguyen Ngo Duc, a 12th-grade student at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted in Nghe An Province.

The two silver medals were awarded to Dinh Trong An, a 12th-grade student at the High School for Gifted Students in Natural Sciences under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Tran Hoang Nam, an 11th-grade student also from Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted.

The Vietnamese team was selected based on results from the 2025 national and regional selection exams for international Olympiads.

In addition to the official team competing at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), the University of Science under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, was tasked by MOET to lead the training and organization for the team attending this event.

Participating in the Mendeleev Olympiad aims to expand opportunities for international academic exchange, foster talent, and provide outstanding students with access to high-quality academic activities.

The 59th Mendeleev International Chemistry Olympiad took place in Brazil. It is one of the most prestigious and challenging academic competitions in chemistry for high school students, often dubbed "the toughest chemistry exam on Earth."

This year’s competition attracted 192 contestants from 40 countries and territories, including nations with strong chemistry education programs such as China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan.

The Olympiad consisted of three rounds held over three days. The first two rounds were theoretical, and the third involved practical experiments.

Each round lasted five hours. The organizing committee awarded official prizes to the top 60% of participants, following a medal distribution ratio of 1 gold to 2 silvers to 3 bronzes.

Vietnam began participating in this intellectual competition in 2024. Last year, the Vietnamese team earned one gold, five silvers, and four bronzes.

The Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad (IMChO) is an elite international competition for high school students passionate about chemistry.

Founded in 1967, it is known as the most challenging chemistry Olympiad in the world, testing deep theoretical understanding and advanced practical skills.

Held annually, IMChO attracts top young chemists from around 40 countries and is often used as a training ground for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).

The competition spans three intensive rounds over three days, earning its reputation as “the toughest chemistry exam on Earth.”

Thanh Hung