Hanoi students win tickets to Oxford for "world's hardest" debate

(Dan Tri) - With their English skills and sharp arguments, two Hanoi students won the qualifying round in Vietnam to get a place in the debate competition considered the world's most difficult for students.

Surpassing many competing teams, two students Vu Minh Khang and Nguyen Ngoc Bao Lam, from Nguyen Sieu Inter-level High School, Hanoi won first prize at Oxford Schools Vietnam Qualifier 2025 held in Ho Chi Minh City.

Contestant Vu Minh Khang in the debate in the final round (Photo: LL).

The tournament attracted the participation of 40 teams from 21 public and private high schools across the country such as Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted (HCMC), Nguyen Sieu High School, Vinschools, Wellspring, British International School (BIS), Dwight Hanoi International School...

Contestants must compete according to the British Parliamentary Debating Rules - considered the most difficult in the world.

Not only must contestants debate entirely in English, they must also present sharp arguments, demonstrate presentation style, and have smart debate tactics.

The two champions Vu Minh Khang and Nguyen Ngoc Bao Lam went through dramatic qualifying and semi-final rounds with diverse topics on economics, politics, culture, and society.

Notably, the two students won the final round after surpassing three excellent teams from Nguyen Truong To Secondary School, Dwight Hanoi International School, and Canadian International School.

Vu Minh Khang and Nguyen Ngoc Bao Lam, students of Nguyen Sieu High School, won first prize in the debate competition in Vietnam (Photo: LL)

With this victory, along with two other students with the best results in the qualifying round, Vu Minh Khang and Nguyen Ngoc Bao Lam will soon represent Vietnamese students to go to Oxford University (UK) to prepare for the world finals of the world's largest and oldest debate tournament for students.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/hoc-sinh-ha-noi-gianh-suat-toi-oxford-thi-tranh-bien-kho-nhat-the-gioi-20250107062609575.htm