Tran Hoang Le Thanh and Nguyen Linh Chi, 11th grade students from class 11A9 (English specialized) at the Foreign Language Specialized High School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, received their results on the evening of 1/2, one day after taking the computer-based IELTS exam. Both students scored 9.0 overall, achieving maximum scores in three skills: listening, speaking, and reading, with an 8.0 in writing.
This was the first time both students had taken the IELTS exam. Thanh calmly accepted his results, while Linh Chi was overcome with emotion. The female student stated that she had aimed for 8.0-8.5, so the outcome exceeded her expectations, leaving her feeling relieved and proud.
According to 2024 statistics, the average IELTS score for Vietnamese test-takers is 6.2. Approximately 20 individuals have achieved a perfect score to date.
Nguyen Phi Diep, homeroom teacher of class 11A9, noted that such an achievement is very rare in his many years of teaching at the Foreign Language Specialized High School.
"This is a joy not only for the students and the class, but it also affirms the focused training direction of the Foreign Language Specialized High School," said teacher Diep.
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Tran Hoang Le Thanh and Nguyen Linh Chi. Photo: School provided
Both Thanh and Linh Chi considered the writing section the most challenging. Linh Chi explained that writing is not just about receiving information but requires rigorous argumentation, academic vocabulary, and formal expression. In addition to classroom studies, Thanh enrolled in a writing and speaking course, then utilized artificial intelligence (AI) tools to receive feedback and score his essays, optimizing his study time.
On test day, both Thanh and Chi encountered questions with familiar topics. For instance, Chi was asked to write about the benefits of cycling, and her speaking test involved national cultures. Thanh's exam included topics related to urban life and the role of books and libraries.
Teacher Diep described Thanh and Chi as well-rounded, achieving an average score above 9 in the most recent semester. Both are enthusiastic about class activities, strong in critical thinking, and capable of serving as emcees.
Linh Chi plans to pursue English pedagogy at university, while Le Thanh is considering data science and artificial intelligence.
Established in 1969, the Foreign Language Specialized High School is the only high school in Vietnam specializing in foreign languages. Each year, the school enrolls approximately 600 10th-grade students across specialized programs in English, Russian, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Previously, in late 2025, four students from the school also achieved perfect scores of 1600 on the SAT.
Thanh Hang
