Le Vinh Ky and Le Phuc Khanh, twin brothers, both in class 12T2 at Lam Son High School for the Gifted, achieved a joint first prize in the national gifted student competition. The Ministry of Education and Training announced the results on the afternoon of 19/1, revealing that both students scored 29 out of 40 points.
"When we heard the news, both Khanh and I were overjoyed and couldn't believe it was real," Ky shared. He explained that during the exam, both encountered difficulties with algebra question 6. Despite knowing how to approach the problem, they felt rushed as time ran out, preventing them from achieving a satisfactory solution.
This year's mathematics competition saw nearly 680 students participate, with the exam consisting of 7 problems administered over two days. With their impressive scores, the twin brothers are among the top 48 candidates selected for the national team tryouts for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
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Le Vinh Ky (left) and Le Phuc Khanh, afternoon of 20/1. Photo: Le Hoang. |
Ky and Khanh recounted their early love for mathematics. However, they faced some pressure after being admitted to the specialized math class at Lam Son High School for the Gifted, as they had not previously won high awards in gifted student competitions.
With encouragement from their parents and teachers, the brothers set clear goals. Their shared interest and being in the same class facilitated easy collaboration and mutual support. Both excelling in geometry, they would tackle these problems first in practice tests and exams, then proceed to the remaining sections. According to Ky, completing their strong areas first builds confidence for other questions.
Each day, after school, the brothers help their mother with household chores before beginning their studies at 20h, finishing after 23h. The following morning, Ky and Khanh wake up around 6h, complete their personal hygiene, and eat breakfast before heading to school.
Their father, a coast guard officer, visits the family only one or two times a month, so their mother handles most of their daily needs. Ky shared that his father often calls to encourage them to study hard and be well-behaved, though he cannot be consistently present. Sometimes, Ky feels a pang of sadness, but he strives to study well to ensure his father can focus on his duties.
Bui Van Binh, homeroom teacher of class 12T2 at Lam Son High School for the Gifted, noted the twins' genuine passion for mathematics and their serious, diligent approach to learning.
"The two students are very persistent and resilient. Their academic results in 11th grade were not perfect, but Ky and Khanh did not get discouraged; instead, they were determined to break through and achieve the success they have today," said teacher Binh.
According to Nguyen Thanh Son, the principal, it is rare for twin brothers to be on the same national gifted student team, and even rarer for both to win such high awards as Vinh Ky and Phuc Khanh.
The principal believes their results demonstrate consistent ability, critical thinking, and courage in both students, reflecting rigorous and long-term training within a specialized educational environment.
"Perhaps living and studying the same subject together helps them support each other more effectively," Son remarked. Two years ago, the school also had twin brothers, Nguyen Le Thanh Cong and Nguyen Le Bao Long, who both won national first prize in Biology.
The twin brothers stated their next goal is to prepare diligently for the selection exam for the international and Asia-Pacific Math Olympiad, scheduled for March.
After graduation, both plan to enroll in Hanoi University of Science and Technology, choosing fields that leverage their mathematical strengths, such as information technology or artificial intelligence. Further down the road, they hope to secure scholarships to study abroad.
Le Hoang
