Truong Thanh Xuan’s achievement is noteworthy for two reasons. She is Vietnam’s only female contestant at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad and only the 14th woman ever to represent Vietnam at the competition, highlighting a rare gender milestone.

She won the Sigma Gold scholarship, which pays 100 % of tuition and gives VND15 million (US$570) each month for ten months a year. The award belongs to the Mathematics Talent Development Program, whose highest tier was given to nine outstanding students.

The scholarship was awarded after a personal interview with Fields Medal‑winning Professor Ngo Bao Chau. The interview was part of the selection process that identified the nine top candidates for the program’s highest tier.

Xuan says she will use the scholarship to cover living expenses and to develop additional skills such as programming and English. She also stresses that women can compete on equal terms in advanced mathematics, reinforcing her belief in gender equality in the field.

Her win shows how a historic gender breakthrough can open doors to elite academic support. Xuan’s story demonstrates that exceptional talent, combined with strong scholarships, can help break long‑standing barriers for women in mathematics.