Nguyen Le Nhat Nam, a 12th-grade student in Mathematics class 1 at Hanoi University of Education High School for Gifted Students, became the top scorer in Mathematics at the 2026 National Excellent Student Competition with 36.5/40 points - the highest score among nearly 680 contestants.
When the Ministry of Education and Training announced the results, Nam wasn't surprised by the score – he had estimated himself to have scored around 36-37 points. But being at the top among nearly 680 candidates still left Nam stunned for a few seconds.
A year earlier, at the same national mathematics competition for gifted students, Nam won second prize. The result was good, but for him, it wasn't entirely satisfying.
"I knew I could have done better, but at that time my mindset wasn't stable, and my test-taking strategy wasn't sound," Nam recounted. Instead of seeing it as a disappointment, he viewed it as a milestone to begin a serious adjustment process.
Nguyen Le Nhat Nam, born in 2008 in Hanoi, comes from a family where both parents are teachers. Nam's love for mathematics began in a small study room where he quietly immersed himself in simple moments: solving a difficult problem on his own, finding a more concise solution in the textbook, or discovering a new approach. From the 8th grade, he aimed to specialize in mathematics.
Having won first prize in the Hanoi City Math Olympiad for 9th graders, Nam was directly admitted to two prestigious specialized high schools. He chose to study at the High School for Gifted Students affiliated with Hanoi University of Education – an environment that helps him cultivate long-term academic thinking.
Nguyen Le Nhat Nam, top student in the national mathematics competition for the 2025-2026 school year.
During his studies, Nam prioritized the quality of each problem over the quantity of practice questions. He often spent time analyzing the solutions himself, finding optimal ways to solve them, or changing his approach to understand the essence of the problem.
After a disappointing 11th-grade exam where he didn't perform to his full potential, instead of drastically increasing his study hours, Nam focused on meticulously analyzing each mistake in previous exam papers, reviewing common question types in the national exam, and paying particular attention to presenting his answers clearly, concisely, and to the point for grading.
"I realized that solving difficult problems isn't enough; you also have to solve them correctly, concisely, and consistently," Nam shared.
Another significant change is exam strategy. Previously, Nam would often tackle difficult questions right from the start, leaving insufficient time for others. This year, however, Nam chose to tackle his strong questions first to maintain his composure, before moving on to less challenging problems like geometry.
" Staying calm helps me avoid getting stuck in a rut," Nam said.
Confidence in the national exam
In this year's exam, Nam said the most important factor wasn't the difficulty of the questions, but the ability to maintain a steady pace throughout the two days of testing. When faced with complex problems, he usually started by "translating" the question into a familiar structure, trying basic approaches first before moving on to more advanced methods. This approach helped him avoid mental overload and maintain clarity in his presentation.
With 36.5/40 points – the highest score among nearly 680 candidates taking the 2026 Mathematics exam – Nam completed his journey from second place to first with a convincing result, two points ahead of the runner-up.
Nhat Nam (left) spends time relaxing with his family after stressful hours of studying.
Ms. Thuy Chinh, Nhat Nam's mother, said that what makes her most proud is not the title of valedictorian, but his persistent and self-disciplined attitude towards studying.
“Nam doesn’t study for prizes, but because he enjoys understanding a problem thoroughly. When faced with a difficult problem, he can sit for a long time just to find a logical solution ,” she said. According to her, this patience, calmness, and self-learning spirit are the foundation that helps Nam go far in major exams.
For Nguyen Le Nhat Nam, the title of valedictorian is not the ultimate goal, but a milestone on a longer academic journey ahead.
From second place last year to first place nationwide, Nam's leap wasn't due to luck, but rather a year of persistent adjustment that led to growth in both his thinking and his confidence in the competition.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cu-hut-nam-truoc-den-buoc-nhay-vot-ngoi-dau-cua-thu-khoa-toan-quoc-gia-ar999494.html
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