More than 3,200 high school students from across Vietnam gathered in Ho Chi Minh City this week to compete in the 30/4 Traditional Olympiad, an annual academic competition celebrating outstanding youth talent and perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge.

The competition, held from April 4 to 6 at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, was organized with the approval of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training.

This year’s event took on added significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

A total of 3,274 students from 97 schools in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces participated in the competition, which is aimed at 10th and 11th-grade students from specialized schools across the country.

The awards ceremony took place Saturday morning in the courtyard of Le Hong Phong High School, located in District 5, where about 2,000 prizes were presented to contenders.

Last year, the competition was hosted by Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, about 100km from Ho Chi Minh City.

The event was supported by several sponsors, including DOL English, one of the main backers this year.

Le Dinh Luc, founder and CEO of DOL English, said his personal experience as a former gifted student drove his decision to support the event.

“Back when I was a student at the High School for the Gifted under Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, I already knew about this competition and always respected its prestige and the quality of the students it brings together,” Luc said.

“DOL English is a startup that applies science and technology to improve how English is taught and learned,” he continued.

“Our proprietary Linearthinking method was developed by a team of former math, English, and literature majors from the High School for the Gifted.

“We believe strongly in the potential of Vietnamese talent – and although we teach English, we don’t employ foreign teachers.

“That’s how much faith we place in local intelligence.”

Luc said his company’s involvement in the competition stems from a desire to nurture future talent.

“I’m thrilled and proud to support this meaningful event,” he said.

“I hope, in some small way, we can help empower young Vietnamese minds to rise higher and go further, both at home and on the international stage.”

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