The secret to choosing breakthrough factors in the IBO exam of a female teacher from Hue

(Dan Tri) - Instead of waiting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh (Hue National High School for the Gifted) spends a lot of time looking for breakthrough factors in international competitions when the students are still in secondary school.

In late October and early November, Hue city experienced historic floods, causing widespread flooding. The house of teacher Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh, head of the Biology Department at Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted, located in the Citadel area, was surrounded by prolonged floodwaters.

When the floodwaters had just receded and before she could finish cleaning up her house, Ms. Dieu Hanh returned to the podium. The female teacher clearly understood that students, especially those in the national excellent student competition team, needed to be trained and enriched with advanced knowledge when there was not much time left.

“Ms. Hanh is very dedicated and devoted to teaching biology in general and training students for the excellent student exam in particular. She always cares about her students, finds out their strengths and weaknesses to help us overcome and improve ourselves.

She has guided and inspired a love of biology for many students, including me,” said Bui Hoang Dai Duong, a former student of Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted in Hue, who won a Silver Medal at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in July.

Ms. Hanh was assigned to train students to participate in national and international competitions for excellent students in biology (Photo: Cao Tien).

From valedictorian to international gifted student teacher

In 1996, graduating from Hue University of Education as valedictorian, young female teacher Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh was accepted to teach at Huong Tra High School (now Dang Huy Tru High School, located in Kim Tra ward, Hue city).

During her time working at this school, Ms. Hanh won first prize in the provincial competition for excellent teachers in biology. In 2000, she transferred to work at Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted.

Since October 2013, she has officially become the Head of the Biology Department of this school with a long tradition of academic achievements. With her high professional capacity, enthusiasm and prestige, Ms. Hanh was assigned to train students to participate in national and international competitions for excellent students.

Ms. Hanh (right) and former students of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted at the 2025 IBO exam (Photo: Provided by the character).

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh said that in the past, the achievements of the Biology department in the exams were quite modest, only stopping at the second prize in the national excellent student exam. Meanwhile, the IBO exam is a prestigious, world- class academic playground, where many of the most excellent students in this field gather, which Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted has not reached.

“Looking at other provinces and cities, famous specialized high schools all have good results in this prestigious competition. That is the concern, desire and motivation that urged me to create a change project right from when I took office as Head of the Department,” Ms. Hanh shared.

Students of the ancient capital conquer the IBO exam

Right from the start, Ms. Hanh understood clearly that Quoc Hoc Hue students were capable of achieving high results in national and international competitions for excellent students.

According to Ms. Hanh, to achieve high results in exams, there needs to be a comprehensive combination of many factors, in which detailed and clear planning is the top factor. Teachers directly training will play a very important role, helping to select core students. The more accurate the selection, the more favorable the training work will be and the desired results will be achieved.

Ms. Hanh and her colleagues regularly research and discover students with aptitude and potential in biology early on, right from when they are in grades 8, 9 or 10.

The female teacher always devotes a lot of effort to enriching knowledge for her students (Photo: Cao Tien).

Together with the school leadership and the subject group, the female Head of the group compiled and unified the program, content, and updated documents in a timely manner, thereby providing effective guidance and training. In addition, the female teacher regularly contacted and exchanged with her colleagues in and outside the province, inviting leading experts to support her students.

During her work, Ms. Hanh and her colleagues have trained many students to win high prizes in domestic and international competitions. Notably, in the period 2017-2025, students of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted won 2 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals at IBO competitions.

One of the students who left the most impression on this teacher was Bui Hoang Dai Duong (currently studying at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University).

Ms. Hanh and her students achieved high results in IBO exams (Photo: Provided by the character).

It was the female teacher who discovered Dai Duong's talent when he studied with her daughter at Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School (Hue City). Both of them had a passion for biology and participated in provincial competitions for excellent students. Thanks to early orientation, they passed the entrance exam to the specialized biology class at Hue National School.

In the 10th grade, Bui Hoang Dai Duong participated in the national excellent student selection exam and won third prize. A year later, he won first prize, becoming the first 11th grade student of Hue National School to win an award in this national exam.

When he was in grade 12, Bui Hoang Dai Duong excelled in the national team participating in the 36th IBO Competition. At the competition held in the Philippines from July 19-27, Dai Duong excelled over candidates from many countries to win the Silver Medal, becoming the pride of his family, teachers and Quoc Hoc Hue school.

Before Dai Duong, many students of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted also successfully conquered this international exam such as Truong Dong Hung (Gold Medal), Ho Viet Duc (Gold Medal), Truong Van Quoc Dat and Ho Duc Trung (both Silver Medals).

According to Ms. Hanh, these are typical examples of schools that have effectively applied early selection and training methods.

In addition, in the annual national excellent student competitions, the biology department of the 129-year-old school has had over 80% of its students winning prizes. Many students who won third prize or higher were directly admitted to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University.

“I am following a number of eighth grade students in the city who are talented and passionate about biology. In addition, their math and foreign language abilities are impressive. If they are nurtured and trained in the right direction, their future will be very promising,” Ms. Hanh added.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh (8th from left) received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of Hue City People's Committee at the 6th City Patriotic Emulation Congress (Photo: Hue City People's Committee).

According to Mr. Nguyen Phu Tho , Principal of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted, to become a member of the Vietnamese team at the international competition, students must prepare from grade 10 and receive training from teachers throughout the preparation period for the national exams through grades 10, 11 and 12.

Students who make it to the international team must have a passion for biology, sharp mathematical thinking, good English and good health.

The school principal highly appreciated Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh for her ability to plan and gather the strength of the department. According to Mr. Tho, this is a factor that has contributed to many proud achievements for Quoc Hoc Hue School.

With important contributions to the education career, teacher Nguyen Thi Dieu Hanh has been awarded many noble prizes from provincial to central levels.

At the 6th Hue City Patriotic Emulation Congress, the female teacher was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the City People's Committee for her outstanding contributions in professional work, nurturing excellent students and building a movement of good teaching - good learning.

IBO exam results of students of Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted in the period 2017-2025:

In 2017, the competition took place in England, Truong Dong Hung won the Gold Medal. Dong Hung graduated from the National University of Singapore, majoring in Biomedical Engineering, and is currently pursuing a PhD at the California Institute of Technology (USA).

In 2020, Ho Duc Viet won the Gold Medal when the competition was held online and hosted by Japan. Viet graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and is currently studying for a master's degree in Molecular Biology at Gottingen University (Germany).

The 3 Silver Medals went to Truong Van Quoc Dat (2022 in Armenia), Ho Duc Trung (2024 in Kazakhstan) and Bui Hoang Dai Duong (2025 in the Philippines). All 3 students are studying at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/bi-quyet-chon-nhan-to-tao-dot-pha-trong-ky-thi-ibo-cua-nu-giao-vien-xu-hue-20251111161524242.htm