Vietnamese students win gold at International Astronomy Olympiad 2026

Vietnamese students have achieved gold medals at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2026.

Mai Van Khanh, a 12th-grade physics student from Lam Son High School for the Gifted in Thanh Hoa, secured a gold medal after intensive preparation. Khanh, who previously earned a bronze medal at the Asia-Pacific Physics Olympiad (APhO), noted the challenge of mastering new astrophysical concepts in a short timeframe. He managed the workload by breaking down complex information into smaller, manageable parts.

Le Gia Hong Minh, a 12th-grade student from Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, also won a gold medal. Minh, who had been interested in the field since 10th grade, spent approximately 2.5 months in intensive training, dedicating 6 to 7 hours daily to the subject. She highlighted the difficulty of mastering practical skills, such as star mapping and telescope usage, which were not part of her standard school curriculum.