The prize is presented every year by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee to under-35 year old individuals who have made outstanding achievements in national construction and defence to encourage young talents and promote emulation movements in study, scientific research and creative work among young people.

"I am happy each time I am able to solve a thorny mathematics problem. I have had the passion for mathematics since I was a little child," said Vu Ngoc Minh, gold medallist at the 42^nd International Mathematics Olympic held in 2001.

That was the simple explanation the ‘golden boy’ (as people often call Minh) made when asked about his achievements in study.

Since Minh started going to school, the little child gave himself to difficult maths problems. Recognising their son’s passion for maths, Minh’s parents, who are both lecturers of the Maritime University in the coastal city of Haiphong, have encouraged and helped him. When Minh was a second grade pupil, he could solve all maths problems of the fifth grade. The more he studied, the more he became absorbed in maths. When Minh was at grade 6, he finished the maths programme of grade nine. But Minh suffered bitter disappointment at the city’s exams for pupils who were good at maths that year when he only won a consolation prize. Since then, Minh’s name has always occupied the first or second position in the list of prize winners of Haiphong’s exams for pupils gifted at maths.

When Minh was 15 years old, he left Haiphong to study at the Teachers’ Training College No 1’s High School on Mathematics and Information Technology. This is a good environment for Minh to develop his ability in maths with outstanding students and excellent teachers. Being a student of the eleventh grade, Minh was chosen, together with students of the twelfth grade, to participate in the 2001 International Mathematics Olympic and bagged home a gold medal.

Minh has been presented with certificates of commendation of the prime minister and the Ministry of Education and Training for his great achievements.

Besides his passion for maths, Minh spends his spare time playing the guitar. He said this is a good way to learn maths more effectively.

Currently, Minh is preparing for his graduation exams. May Minh’s dream of becoming a mathematician come true.

By THANH BINH-TIEU NGUYET
(New World magazine)       

 

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