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| Bui Hoang Dai Duong (second from left) with members of the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Provided by MOET |
Proud to contribute to his homeland
On the evening of July 26, the news that Bui Hoang Dai Duong, a 12th-grade Biology major at Quoc Hoc – Hue High School for the Gifted, had won the Silver Medal at the 2025 International Biology Olympiad (IBO) filled his teachers, friends, and the people of the ancient capital with pride. This was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the quality of education in this land of learning, particularly at Quoc Hoc – Hue.
Speaking from the Philippines, Dai Duong said emotionally: “I’m overjoyed and proud to have achieved such a great result, not only for myself but also for my family, my teachers, my school, and my beloved hometown. I feel truly honored to have done something to contribute to my homeland and my country.”
The 36th International Biology Olympiad was held in the Philippines from July 19 to 27, gathering 298 contestants from 81 countries and territories. Participants took two theory exams, each lasting 180 minutes, and four practical lab exams, each 90 minutes long. According to the Quality Management Department of the Ministry of Education and Training, the IBO is considered the world’s most comprehensive international science competition at the high school level, requiring extensive knowledge across math, physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science, along with solid lab skills covering molecular to ecosystem and biosphere levels.
Dai Duong shared that just being present at the competition was a great honor for him. The IBO is the largest and most prestigious biology competition in the world, gathering the most outstanding students globally who share a passion and enthusiasm for biology. The contest took place during the Philippines' stormy season, creating unfavorable weather conditions that made it difficult for Duong to adapt.
Especially, the practical exam was postponed for preparation of exam materials and specimens, then conducted over a grueling 12-hour period from 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. the next day. Duong said: “Staying alert and performing consistently over 12 hours is a real challenge, and those who manage it truly deserve high scores. For me, it was both a tough and exciting competition, full of hardships but also memorable experiences. I’m satisfied with this result because I gave my all, perhaps even surpassed my own limits.”
Striving to reach a dream
The Silver Medal Bui Hoang Dai Duong achieved was the result of a deliberate, disciplined learning and training process. His love for biology emerged early. Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh, head of the Biology Department at Quoc Hoc – Hue and the teacher who mentored Duong since the summer of 8th grade, shared: “From the first time I met Duong, I noticed he had the special qualities of an international medalist, so I gave him early orientation and a clear training plan. Duong is intelligent, sharp-minded, and passionate about biology. He is curious, creative, goal-oriented, and knows how to manage his time efficiently to maximize study outcomes. Every time I assigned homework, he always finished ahead of schedule and even asked for more to deepen his knowledge.”
Thanks to this early orientation, Ms. Hanh prepared Duong to take the National Excellent Student Exam from grade 10. He became the first biology major at the school to win Third Prize at the national level while still in 10th grade. The following year, he impressed again by becoming the first biology major student at the school to win First Prize at the national level while still in 11th grade. He then competed for a spot on the international team but narrowly missed by just 0.25 points. In 12th grade, Duong excelled again, surpassing 32 national excellent students and topping the national selection exam to join the Vietnamese team for the prestigious IBO, becoming one of four national representatives.
During the training period in Hanoi, Dai Duong gave his best and was highly regarded by teachers. He recalled: “The preparation process followed a tight schedule, requiring us to quickly become familiar with a wide range of lab tools, equipment, and unfamiliar techniques in a short period of time. This brought about considerable difficulties and challenges for us. But with burning passion for biology, we adapted fast. Some sessions lasted 5 to 6 hours, but we remained optimistic and determined to keep preparing for the best possible results.”
Because the IBO places strong emphasis on practical skills, Duong practiced not only at school but also at home-dissecting various animals, slicing leaves, roots, and stems to sharpen his lab abilities. He also proactively read English-language biology materials to expand his expertise and prepare for the international stage. This initiative and passion helped him “ignite” each study session, turning difficulties into motivation. Duong said he worked hard to strengthen his weaknesses, especially practical skills, which account for a large portion of the exam score. Beyond academics, he also focused on maintaining his health, mental well-being, and physical fitness to be in the best possible shape for the contest.
According to Ms. Dieu Hanh, in this year’s IBO, Duong scored over 80% in both the two theory tests and the four practical exams, but unfortunately, he only managed to secure a Silver Medal. Nevertheless, for an international competition, it was an outstanding achievement. With this medal, Bui Hoang Dai Duong becomes the fifth student from Quoc Hoc – Hue to bring home a medal from the International Biology Olympiad in the past eight years. Previously, the school had four other medalists in this competition, including two Gold and two Silver Medals.