The Vietnam Mathematical Modeling Competition (VM²C) 2026 concluded on the afternoon of 27/6 with its closing and awards ceremony at the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics.
The Luong Van Chanh 2 team, representing Luong Van Chanh High School for the Gifted in Dak Lak, ultimately secured first prize. Eight teams from high schools nationwide competed in the final round, which centered on the theme "Pit Stop Strategy in Formula 1 Racing". Students were tasked with developing mathematical models to optimize tire usage strategy during a Formula 1 race, balancing speed, tire wear, and the number of pit stops for tire changes.
The organizers stated that the final problem aimed to introduce participants to quantitative approaches for decision-making and highlight mathematics' role in solving optimization problems in elite sports and modern engineering. Students were prohibited from using artificial intelligence (AI) during a portion of the competition. This rule allowed organizers to assess independent thinking, reasoning skills, and mastery of mathematical models, while ensuring fairness.
Nguyen Nhat Anh, an 11th-grade IT student from Luong Van Chanh High School for the Gifted and a representative of the championship team, commented that their biggest challenge was agreeing on the variables in the problem statement. The group had to research and ask critical questions to consider how altering these variables would affect the problem's outcome.
Associate Professor, Doctor Ngo Hoang Long, head of the professional committee, noted the difficulty in designing problems and competition formats that accurately reflect student capabilities amidst AI development. He added that this year's teams displayed consistent quality, compelling the judges to vote at the last minute to determine the results.
The VM²C, established in 2023, is part of the National Key Program for Mathematics Development, 2021-2030 period. The competition features two rounds. In each round, teams must find solutions to open-ended, highly practical, and creative problems. Participants need skills in time management, teamwork, scientific report writing, and persuasive presentation. This year, a total of 209 students from 53 teams participated in the VM²C, with 8 teams advancing to the final round.
Here is a list of the competition's awards:
| No. | Team | School | Award |
| 1 | Luong Van Chanh 2 | Luong Van Chanh High School for the Gifted - Dak Lak | First Prize |
| 2 | Hill Climbing | High School for the Gifted, University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi | Second Prize |
| 3 | PTNK 1 | High School for the Gifted, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City | |
| 4 | Bac Giang 2 | Bac Giang High School for the Gifted | Third Prize |
| 5 | Convex Hull | High School for the Gifted, University of Natural Sciences | |
| 6 | PTNK 2 | High School for the Gifted | |
| 7 | Le Quy Don | Le Quy Don Primary, Secondary, and High School, Lam Dong | Consolation Prize |
| 8 | FSC Hai Phong 3 | FPT Hai Phong Secondary and High School |
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Luong Van Chanh 2 team receives awards from Professor Ngo Bao Chau. *Photo: VIASM*
Khanh Linh
