The "golden boy" of the International Chemistry Olympiad dreams of becoming a doctor.

Tien Hung said he has loved chemistry since the 8th grade, his passion stemming from simple reactions like blowing breath into a solution to cause precipitation, or blowing more to dissolve the precipitate.

By the time I was in 9th grade, it was my older sister and her friend, a former student of Bac Ninh Specialized High School, who ignited my passion for chemistry through stories about chemistry and its applications in life.

Seeing the periodic table of chemical elements, Hung said it's like "the multiplication table in mathematics," providing foundational knowledge for understanding combustion reactions, integrating substances, and advanced chemistry knowledge later on.

Speaking to the 10th-grade students, Hung hoped they would clearly outline effective revision strategies alongside learning new knowledge. “To excel in chemistry, besides mastering the theory, you need to do specialized exercises and expand your knowledge of different question types. You can watch videos about chemical reactions on YouTube for entertainment, to train your thinking skills, and to understand the differences between textbook knowledge and real-world applications,” Hung said.

When asked if the International Olympiad was difficult, Hung said it was challenging, new, and unfamiliar, so it required calmness, a clear plan of action, and a coherent, logical approach to the problem-solving. Regarding the practical exercises, Hung fondly recalled the first day he learned to take solutions into test tubes; it looked simple, but it took him several attempts to get it right and accurate.

"Chemistry experiments are very interesting but also quite difficult, requiring precision and meticulousness. We must follow the correct procedures, without rushing or skipping steps, in order to minimize accidents and ensure safety for ourselves and others," the male student noted.

My dream is to become a doctor and save lives.

Hung lingered a bit longer, adding that when he was selected for the Vietnamese team to participate in the International Chemistry Olympiad, he was very happy to represent the country in an international competition, but also felt pressure and anxiety, so he set goals and prepared mentally from an early age.

Before flying to Saudi Arabia, I spent two months studying in Hanoi. Taking advantage of my days off, I took a bus to Hoan Kiem Lake to explore the food and atmosphere of the capital.

"When I went to Saudi Arabia, I felt a little insecure because the students from Austria, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea were all taller than me. But they were all very friendly and open; some even proactively shook my hand and hugged me to get acquainted."

"Our Vietnamese team brought you keychains shaped like women in ao dai dresses and conical hats, and bamboo dragonflies. Everyone loved them and is eager to visit Vietnam to explore. I even made new friends on Instagram," Hung said excitedly.

Accompanying Hung to Saudi Arabia, Ms. Vu Thi Len - head of the 12th grade chemistry team at Bac Ninh Specialized High School - said that the two of them went from feeling nervous and anxious to being overwhelmed with happiness.

"When Hung's name was called, both of us burst into tears of joy. That night I barely slept, only replying to messages from Vietnam," Len said.

According to Ms. Len, from the 10th grade onwards, Hung showed determination in his studies, diligently sought out new knowledge, and often came first in competitions.

Nevertheless, Hung still needed time at the beginning to gain confidence, overcome his weaknesses in organic chemistry, and balance his strengths and weaknesses.

According to Tien Hung, he learned a lot from Nguyen Kim Giang, a former student of Bac Ninh specialized high school and the gold medalist at the 2023 International Chemistry Olympiad in Switzerland. Kim Giang is a role model who inspires him and shares her experience.

Following the advice, Hung studied by topic, avoided staying up late, and woke up early to read before class. In addition to listening to lectures, he read extra materials, articles, and research in English.

In his free time, Hung watches Ted-ed videos online that explain in simple terms the causes of diseases or the development of common illnesses.

"I really enjoy watching short videos about how illnesses are treated and how the human body works. Our bodies are fascinating because humans are complex machines, masterpieces of nature."

"I aspire to become a medical student so I can become a doctor and save lives. I know it will take many more years of study, but my parents and teachers are always there to encourage and support me," Hung confided.