Vietnamese Teen's 10-Hour Coding Leads to Top Exam Rank

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A Vietnamese high school student, Giang Trung Minh Duc, has emerged as the top national scorer in Informatics, marking a significant achievement after overcoming early failures and anxiety. On January 19, Duc, a 12th-grade student at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, was announced as the top scorer in Vietnam's national excellent-student exam with a score of 32.557 out of 40. This unexpected triumph elicited a joyous reaction from Duc, who had been preparing intensively for years.

Duc's journey in Informatics began in Grade 8, motivated by curiosity and a passion for video games. Despite initial setbacks, including failing to join his school's city-level competition team and a poor performance at his first national exam, Duc persevered. He was inspired by his homeroom teacher, Nguyen Thanh Tung, and stories of past students' achievements, which led him to practice coding for up to 10 hours a day.

The rigorous preparation paid off when Duc rebounded to win first prize last year. This success gave him the confidence to tackle this year's exam differently, focusing on strategic problem-solving and minimizing errors. His careful approach, particularly in an algorithm challenge and a difficult geometry problem, showcased his development into a more composed competitor.

Duc’s achievements have been praised by his teacher, Nguyen Thanh Tung, who highlighted his commitment and problem-solving tenacity. Despite his success, Duc emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks in coding, which helped him secure the top score.

Looking forward, Duc is completing applications to international universities with interest in studying computer science or optimization. He remains focused on Round 2 of the national selection process for the International Olympiad in Informatics, understanding the ongoing pressures of competition, reported VN Express.

Key Takeaways

• Duc emerged as the top scorer in Vietnam's national Informatics exam.

• He overcame initial setbacks through dedicated practice and strategic thinking.

• Duc now prepares for Round 2 of national selection and university applications.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2026-01-23