The sending off ceremony of Vietnam's International Mathematical Olympiad 2007 team

Attendants of the ceremony were representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training, FPT Corporation, IMO 2007 Board of Organization, leaders of relevant organs, teachers and students’ parents, and, especially, ex-members of Vietnam IMO Team through many years who are working at FPT Corporation. Leaders of the Ministry of Education and Tranining had encouraged the team to take part in the exam with confidence and fair spirit. Associate Professor, Dr Truong Gia Binh, General Director of FPT Corporation had a talk with the team on mathematics knowledge as well as experience to take part in international exams.

At the ceremony, FPT Corporation also granted special presents for six members of the team. FPT will also have more awards in cash for the who team and grant laptops for individual who gets high result in the exam.

- One who gets Gold Medal will be granted: Laptop Toshiba Satellite M20C, worth 1,450$.

- One who gets Silver Medal will be granted: Laptop Toshiba Satellite A100-1401E, worth 900$.

- One who gets Bronze Medal will be granted: Laptop Toshiba Satellite A100-1100E, worth 700$.

In addition, all members of the team, if they wish to, will be accepted to study at FPT University and receive full scholarships worth 11,200$ each.

Vietnam has begun to take part in International Mathematical Olympiad since 1974, and up to date has gained 35 Gold Medals and 51 Silver Medals. From 1991 to 2004, Vietnam ’s IMO Teams always ranked in the top 10s of the exam. In IMO 2003 which took place in Japan , Vietnam for the first time had two in three students who highest result of the exam. Vietnam ’s highest result was ranking fourth after China , USA and Federal of Russia with four First prizes (of which one student got maximum score) and two second prizes in the 2004 exam in Greece .

Since 1965, when Vietnam had to fight hard in its war with America, Uncle Ho and Pham Van Dong decided to establish the first Mathematics Specialized Class in the Consolidated University, which is now the Mathematics and Computing Special Highschool of the National University, Hanoi. The decision had laid the first brick for the development of Vietnam mathematics. Students who participated in the class (including Tran Van Nhung, who later became Deputy Minister of Education and Training) were very outstanding ones and has later contributed much to Vietnam ’s mathematics branch.

Speaking at the ceremony, Associate Professor, Dr Truong Gia Binh said: “Supporting and honoring young talents is one of many FPT Corporation’s traditions. This is a social activity to find out and train talents for the country, which has always attracted the attention and effort of FPT Corporation.”Many of FPT’s staffs used to be members of the Vietnam IMO Teams through many times like Vu Dinh Hoa, Silver Gold in 1974, Nguyen Tuan Hung, Bronze Medal in 1978, Tran Nam Dung, Silver Medal un 1983, Phan Phuong Dat, Silver Medal in 1987 and Bronze Silver in 1988,etc.

Participating in the Vietnam IMO 2007 Team are:

1. Nguyen Xuan Chuong (from Vinh Phuc Province )
2. Do Xuan Bach ( Hanoi National University )
3. Pham Duy Tung ( Hanoi National University )
4. Le Ngoc Son (from Bac Giang Province )
5. Pham Thanh Thai (from Hai Duong City )
6. Dang Ngoc Thanh (from Quang Binh Province )

These are outstanding students selected from 41 candidates taking part in the exam on April 7 and April 8 in Hanoi . From May, these students gathered in Hanoi to prepare for the exam. Head of Vietnam IMO 2007 is Associate Professor, Dr Vu Dinh Hoa, one of the first five Vietnamese students taking part in IMO 1974 and gained Silver Medal. He is currently Director of the FPT Training Center for Young Technology Talents of FPT Corporation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vu Dinh Hoa said: “I have headed the IMO teams for many times but I have never felt more responsible than this time, since this year Vietnam is the host country of the exam. Moreover, the exam model has changed a lot. But all members of the team are working very hard and determine to get high result. The encouragement of leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training and relevant organs, especially the sponsor of FPT Corporation, play an important role in supporting the students, indicating the special care of the society for Vietnam’s young generations in general and mathematical talents in particular. We believe that with the passion for Mathematics, the students will try their best to bring glory to the country.”