Returning from the Physics Olympiad in Thailand, Nguyen Huy Hoang, the gold medal winner said--it is a nice surprise for him to win the gold medal. He has also revealed that he wants to go studying in the US.

Nguyen Huy Hoang and his mother

Determined to attend Olympiad

Nguyen Duc Long, Hoang’s father, an officer of the Nghe An provincial police, said that he was not surprised when hearing that his son won the gold medal. Prior to that, teachers said they believe in Hoang’s ability.

“Before leaving for the Olympiad, Hoang told his mother that he would certainly win a medal, but he was not sure about the colour of the medal,” Hoang’s mother, Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, said.

Hoang’s father related that his wife once did not want Hoang to attend the Olympiad. It was simply because she wanted Hoang to concentrate in preparing for the university entrance exams. If Hoang had to spend too much time on physics, he would not have time for mathematics and chemistry, which would make him fail the exams.

However, Hoang replied that every person should follow his way to universities. Hoang is now a 11th grade student and he will still have one year ahead to prepare for the university entrance exams. Hoang’s words successfully persuaded his mother.

However, Hoa does not need to worry about Hoang’s university entrance exams any more. Since Hoang has won a gold medal, he will be enrolled to universities without having to sit entrance exams.

When asked about Hoang’s character, his father said that Hoang has sense of humor, but he is a person of few words.

While Hoang is very good at physics, he is very bad at cooking. He does not have to take homework, because the works have been undertaken by grandparents and parents.

“The best dish Hoang can prepare is making instant noodles,” Hoa said.

Hoang spent all of his time on learning. “After the school hours, he learns himself at home. He goes to bed late at 1-2 am, while he gets at 5-6 am to go to school,” Hoa said. As such, Hoang only has 5 hours to sleep every day.

“Careful” and “considerate” are also the words Hoang’s parents use to talk about their only son.

“When he was small, he always colored small statues to give parents as gifts. Now he usually makes pictures for people,” Hoa said.

“On the mother’s day, Hoang gave me a picture made of papers and said he wished me good health, so that I can take care for him and his father,” she added.

Victory is a nice surprise

When asked about his gold medal, Hoang said he really regretted his mistakes made because he did not have good psychological preparation. “I also did not do well in practice exercises,” he added

However, Hoang still can get a gold medal after he won a bronze medal in the Asian physics competition. The high achievements have made the doors to universities opened widely to him.

“In the immediate time, I want to study at the Hanoi University of Technology,” he said. “After that, I need to upgrade by English skills and I hope I can enroll in MIT in the US”.

Prior to that, MIT accepted some Vietnamese students, who won gold medals at international competitions.

The group of Vietnamese students who attended the 42nd Physics Olympiad in Thailand from July 8-18 has won five medals, including one gold medal, two silver and 2 bronze. Nguyen Huy Hoang, a student of the Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted in Nghe An province, won the gold medal.

The group of Vietnamese students who attended the Chemistry Olympiad has won two silver and two bronze medals.

The group of Vietnamese students who attended the Biology Olympiad has won three bronze medals.