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| Ho Viet Duc (standing) is the one who sparked the passion for his younger brother Ho Duc Trung. Photo: Provided by the family |
Early signs of talent
Ho Viet Duc (a student majoring in biology at the Hongkong University of Science and Technology) recently had a short break and took the opportunity to visit his family in Hue, also to congratulate his younger brother Ho Duc Trung on winning the Silver Medal at the 35th IBO. The house on Ha Huy Giap Street was filled with laughter welcoming Duc.
Looking at their two sons, Mr. Ho Trung Thong and his wife were happy with the achievements their children have made on their academic journey. Mr. Thong said: “When Viet Duc went to the competition, the family was hopeful but still surprised and overjoyed when he won the Gold Medal. With our little son, the joy feels multiplied”.
Viet Duc is an influential figure, sparking the passion and teaching Trung biology. Mr. Nguyen Phu Tho, Principal of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted expressed his excitement: “It is special for two siblings to excel in the same field. Both of them being selected for the IBO team is quite rare. The medals of Duc and Trung add to the school’s prestigious achievements and are a source of pride for both the school and the local education sector”.
Coming from a family with a long tradition of academic excellence in Quynh Doi, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An Province, Mr. Ho Trung Thong’s family has always placed great importance on education, considering it the best asset to leave for their children. He is an Associate Professor, Doctor, and former lecturer at the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University. For him and his wife, their children’s achievements are the result of nurturing since they were very young.
Since childhood, the brothers Viet Duc and Viet Trung acquired knowledge very quickly, solving all their assignments right in classes. At home, they only explored and discovered new things beyond textbooks. Both were good at all subjects and passionate about many fields, especially natural sciences, history, geography, and astronomy. The rewards their parents gave them were always books, learning tools, and intellectual games to satisfy their curiosity and passion for exploration.
Duc and Trung were both discovered and nurtured by Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh, teacher, Head of the Biology Department at Quoc Hoc Hue High school for the Gifted. Ms. Dieu Hanh recalled that when Viet Duc entered 10th grade, she recognized his potential to compete internationally and immediately planned to mentor him. In 11th grade, when he joined the team for selection to represent Vietnam in the international competition, Duc ranked 5th, while the team only selected 4 students. By 12th grade, Duc won the national first prize, officially joined the international team, and consistently ranked first in all rounds of the competition. He was also the only Vietnamese contestant to win the Gold Medal that year.
When it was Duc Trung’s turn, seeing his passion for biology like his elder brother, Trung’s parents asked Ms. Hanh to guide him. In 10th grade, Trung had already participated in the national excellent student competition. Ms. Hanh was delighted: “Both brothers are very passionate about biology, they are self-learners, quick thinkers, have sharp mathematical minds, and they are very good at English; so, I am very confident when both of them compete on the international stage”.
Intense training
Getting into the international team is a fierce competition. Out of the 32 best students from the national excellent student competition, only 4 are selected to compete internationally. They go through a tough exam, which includes 2 days of theoretical tests and 1 day of practical exams. After joining the international team, they also undergo a process of revision, skill training, and repeated testing to gain experience. Therefore, winning an international medal is the result of serious study, constant refinement, and relentless effort.
According to Viet Duc, to win a medal at the international Olympiad, besides natural thinking ability, one must be passionate about the subject, have a reasonable study strategy, and exhibit perseverance and relentless effort. Being good at all subjects, especially math, chemistry, and computer science, will greatly support the biology exam. Ho Duc Trung shared that besides the study time at school and the support from teachers, they must also make an effort to self-study. As they progress to later rounds, the amount of knowledge becomes vast, broad, and more specialized.
For international competitions, the practical exam accounts for up to 50% of the score. However, Vietnamese students have very little hands-on practice. To improve their observation and manipulation skills for practical exams, their family and school helped connect them with university labs in Hue. Additionally, foreign languages are an advantage. The two brothers are fluent in English, study biology textbooks from the U.S., and primarily use English-language reference materials.
For Duc and Trung, winning international medals is a memorable experience in their student lives. In addition to the joy of seeing their efforts, the guidance from teachers, and the care from their family were pay off, the knowledge they gained serves as a stepping stone for their future learning and research. Viet Duc is currently a final-year student and plans to continue his studies for a master and doctoral degree. Ho Duc Trung is studying at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University. Both brothers plan to pursue research careers and eventually become scientists, using their talents and intellect to serve their homeland.