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IN BRIEF
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For its grand return to the Asia-Pacific Mathematical Olympiad APMO 2026 After 25 years of absence, THE Vietnam brilliantly established himself in the Top 10ranking 7th out of 45 countries. The delegation, organized by the VIASM, received the maximum number of rewards allowed: 1 gold medal, 2 silver medals, 4 bronze medals And 3 honorable mentionsculminating in the performance of Trần Đại Thành Danh who won gold with 27 points. This comeback, accompanied by the taking of the main coordination 2026–2028 illustrates the strengthening of the country’s role on the regional scientific scene.
Vietnam made a remarkable return to Asia-Pacific Mathematical Olympiad (APMO/APAC) 2026 by climbing into the Top 10Returning after a twenty-five-year hiatus, the national delegation obtained the maximum number of awards allowed by the regulations, winning a gold medal, several silver and bronze medals as well as honorable mentions, and ranked in the 7th place among 45 participating countries.
Returning after 25 years and taking on a new coordination responsibility
Vietnam’s return to this competition, established in 1989, marks the reappearance of a major player from the region on the scene of mathematics competitions for high school students. The competition, organized nationally on March 10th under the auspices of theVietnam Institute for Advanced Mathematical Research (VIASM)served as a springboard for the delegation. For the period 2026-2028, Vietnam will assume the main coordination of the APMO, illustrating the international confidence placed in its scientific and educational institutions.
A ranking that places the country in 7th position
The 2026 edition brought together 45 countries and awarded a total of 417 candidates, including 19 gold, 41 silver, and 106 bronze medals. The Vietnamese delegation won one gold, two silver, four bronze, and three honorable mentions, reaching the maximum number of awards allowed by the APMO regulations. This result places Vietnam behind nations such as the United States, South Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. A summary of the results and rankings can be found on Le Courrier: https://lecourrier.vn/le-vietnam-se-hisse-au-7e-rang-des-olympiades-de-mathematiques-asie-pacifique-2026/1348935.html
Individual performances: a gold medal and notable talents
Vietnam’s highest honor was awarded to Trần Đại Thành Danh, a high school senior at the High School for Gifted Students of Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, who achieved a score of 27 points and the gold medal. Other students distinguished themselves through their performance and consistency, including students from prestigious schools. A local example highlighted by the regional press concerns a student from the Phan Bội Châu Specialized High School, who won a silver medal at this competition: https://baonghean.vn/fr/nam-sinh-truong-chuyen-phan-boi-chau-dat-huy-chuong-bac-tai-ky-thi-olympic-toan-hoc-chau-a-thai-binh-duong-10339741.html
A demanding national selection process and pathways to excellence
The Vietnamese delegation comprised 22 carefully selected students from among the best in the country. Two of them had already participated in the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad, while the others were winners of the 2025-2026 National Excellence Student Competition. The candidates came from a wide range of specialized high schools — Hanoi-Amsterdam, Lam Son, Phan Boi Chau, Bac Ninh, Ha Tinh, as well as the High School for Gifted Students at the Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City — which testifies to the development of excellence pathways across several provinces.
Organization and supervision: VIASM on the front line
The national coordination provided by VIASM enabled structured preparation that met the demands of international competition. Beyond individual training, the coaching and selection process highlighted a national strategy aimed at identifying and supporting young mathematical talents, thereby fostering rapid progress for students at a competitive level.
Impact on Vietnam’s scientific visibility
This performance, far from being limited to a numerical result, strengthens Vietnam’s visibility within international scientific networks and confirms the quality of its mathematical education. The new APMO coordination responsibility for 2026-2028 consolidates this position and opens up prospects for regional collaborations and exchanges. For an official perspective and details on Vietnam’s performance in the competition, see the detailed press releases: https://www.vietnam.vn/fr/viet-nam-gianh-so-huy-chuong-toi-da-tai-olympic-toan-hoc-chau-a-2026 and https://www.vietnam.vn/fr/viet-nam-gianh-1-huy-chuong-vang-olympic-toan-hoc-chau-a-nam-2026
A symbolic step for the future
Beyond the rankings, this return and increased responsibility reflect a long-term dynamic: structuring training programs, disseminating best practices, and strengthening regional ties in mathematics. Details of Vietnam’s position at the 2026 edition are available here: https://www.vietnam.vn/fr/viet-nam-xep-thu-7-45-tai-olympic-toan-hoc-chau-a-thai-binh-duong-2026
Q What are the Asia-Pacific Mathematical Olympiads (APMO)? R THE Asia-Pacific Mathematical Olympiad are an international competition created in one thousand nine hundred eighty-nineThis event, aimed at high school students in the Asia-Pacific region, is renowned for its demanding nature and challenges candidates’ rigor, logic, and creativity through high-level problems. Q How many countries participated and how many awards were given out at the 2026 edition? R The edition two thousand twenty-six gathered 45 countriesIn total, 417 candidates were singled out, among whom were 19 gold medalists, 41 silver medalists And 106 bronze medalists. Q Why was Vietnam’s participation in 2026 special? R The 2026 edition marked the return of the Vietnam After twenty-five years of absenceThe event took place on March 10 and the national organization was coordinated by theVietnam Institute for Advanced Mathematical Research (VIASM). Q What results did the Vietnamese delegation achieve? R The delegation won 1 gold medal, 2 silver medals, 4 bronze medals And 3 honorable mentions, thus reaching the maximum number of distinctions allowed by the APMO regulations. Q What was Vietnam’s overall ranking? R With these performances, the Vietnam ranked in the 7th place out of the 45 participating countries, behind the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia and Singapore. Q Who achieved the best individual performance for Vietnam? R The achievement goes to Trần Đại Thành Danh, final year student at High School for Gifted Students of Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, which obtained a score of 27 points and the delegation’s gold medal. Q How was the national selection of Vietnamese candidates organized? R The delegation included 22 students chosen from among the best profiles in the country: two had already participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad 2025the other twenty being winners of the national competition for excellent students 2025-2026. Q Which educational institutions were represented in the delegation? R The candidates came from specialized high schools renowned for their scientific excellence, notably the Hanoi-Amsterdam, THE Lam Son, THE Phan Bội Châu, THE Bac Ninh, THE Hà Tĩnh and the High School for Gifted Students of Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City. Q What role did VIASM play in this return from Vietnam? R THE VIASM ensured national coordination of the March 10th event and, for the period 2026-2028Vietnam takes responsibility for the main coordination from the APMO, which underlines the trust placed in its scientific institutions. Q What does “reaching the maximum number of rewards allowed by the rules” mean? R The APMO regulations stipulate a quota of awards that can be granted to each delegation. By achieving the aforementioned combination of medals and awards, the Vietnamese team reached this quota, demonstrating optimal performance according to the competition rules. Q How is this result important for Vietnam’s position in scientific research and education? R This return placed in the Top 10 confirms the quality of Vietnamese mathematical education, promotes the fields of excellence developed across the country and strengthens Vietnam’s visibility on the international scientific scene. Q What prospects lie ahead for Vietnam after these Olympics? R In addition to the sporting prestige, the new coordination responsibility for 2026-2028 offers opportunities for exchange, training and national capacity building in mathematics, promoting the long-term development of talent.Frequently Asked Questions — APMO 2026 and the Return of Vietnam