Three Vietnamese students are attending the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held this year in Pennsylvania.

ISEF 2012 opened on the evening of May 14 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The students, from Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, will compete with more than 1,500 students from 70 different countries and territories around the world.

Their research topic is processing salt water into fresh water by using solar energy and human power.

Vu Anh Vinh, one member of the Vietnamese team, said, “I’m extremely happy to have a chance to compete alongside young scientists from around the world. It's a great challenge for me and the other member of the group.”

After a three-day preparation, the Vietnamese students, along with their competitors, were tested on their knowledge in their topic, on May 16.

Wendy Hawkins, Executive Director of the Intel Foundation, said, “In order to defend their research, contestants are required to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in each category. This portion of the contest was designed to help them form into dynamic and knowledgable scientist in the future."

The fair, held by the Intel Group, has been an annual event since 1997. Now it is one of the most well-known in the world. The team who wins first prize will receive USD75,000, along with the Gordon E Moore Prize, named after the co-founder of Intel. The total value of all prizes to be granted to contestants this year will amount to more than USD3 million.