A 5th grade student won a silver medal in international math competition despite not taking extra classes.

Vu Nguyen Hieu, a 5th grader in Ho Chi Minh City, has just won a silver medal at the 2025 International Mathematics Olympiad - TIMO.

Vu Nguyen Hieu was delighted to win a silver medal at the TIMO international mathematics competition.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY FAMILY

The 2025 Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO) took place at the end of February, attracting about 3,600 primary and secondary school students from nearly 20 countries and territories.

Accordingly, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vu Nguyen Hieu, a 5th grade student at Nam Viet School, won a silver medal in this competition. He is also the first student of the school to achieve high results in the above TIMO math competition.

Vu Nguyen Hieu shared that his passion for mathematics started when he was in kindergarten. When his kindergarten teachers introduced him to numbers, he became curious about calculations and from there his love for mathematics gradually grew. As he grew older, every time he solved a difficult and tricky problem, he felt like he had just conquered a mountain. Difficult problems always stimulate his thinking ability, making him feel excited and wanting to challenge himself more.

When asked about his secret and learning method, Nguyen Hieu said that he did not go to extra classes but mainly studied at school. He was a boarding student so he was at school from morning to afternoon, so he always received support from teachers. Besides, he always had the companionship of his mother, who encouraged and motivated him in the process of conquering difficult math problems.

Regarding learning methods, according to Hieu, the most important thing is to have passion. After that, you need to master the types of math problems, do a lot of exercises to get used to the types of questions. When encountering an exercise, I will immediately visualize what type of problem it is to find the fastest way to solve it. In class, I always cooperate with my friends to learn new problems, if I don't understand, I ask the teacher right away. Before going to class, I read the old lesson in advance, and when I get home, I spend time reviewing and practicing my problem-solving skills. In addition, I also learn more advanced materials from good math books. With each problem, I try to concentrate, ponder and find the most effective way to solve it for myself.

Ms. Huynh Nguyen Thanh Truc, Hieu's 5th grade homeroom teacher, commented that Hieu is a very intelligent, hard-working and progressive student. "From the moment he entered the class, he showed a special passion for mathematics. What impressed me most about Hieu is not only his ability to calculate quickly and think sharply, but also his perseverance and his unafraidness to take on difficult problems," said Ms. Truc.

Not only that, Hieu is always an active student in learning, not hesitating to ask questions when he does not understand the problem clearly. In addition, Hieu also has a cooperative spirit, is willing to help classmates, and share knowledge with them. It is his diligence, determination, and relentless passion that have helped him achieve this proud achievement. "I believe that with a serious learning spirit and the support of his family and teachers, Hieu will go even further in the future," commented Hieu's 5th grade teacher.

TIMO is organized annually by the Olympiad Champion Education Centre from Hong Kong in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The competition is organized to create a useful intellectual playground for students from kindergarten to high school who are interested in mathematics to participate, with the aim of stimulating and nurturing the love of mathematics of young people, enhancing students' creative thinking ability, and expanding international cultural exchange relationships.

Master Duong Minh Toi, a math teacher in Thu Duc City (HCMC), assessed TIMO as a competition that focuses on thinking, has had a wide influence and attracted the participation of many students in many countries in recent years. This is not only an academic playground but also an opportunity to help students develop their mathematical abilities, create motivation and encourage them to love this subject. Participating in TIMO helps students practice their logical and critical thinking skills, while improving their test-taking strategies. If you approach the exam with a learning spirit, this will be a valuable experience that helps broaden your horizons and improve your math skills.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mot-hoc-sinh-lop-5-dat-huy-chuong-bac-toan-quoc-te-du-khong-hoc-them-185250311145942808.htm