Born into a Khmer family in O Mon district - Can Tho city (old), Ly Tuan Kiet is currently a student majoring in Chemistry, University of Natural Sciences , Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
Kiet was the valedictorian of the Chemistry Faculty in 2022, won Second Prize in Group A of the National Student Chemistry Olympiad in 2023 and continued his form with Second Prize in Group A of the Chemistry Olympiad in 2025.
Horizons open from 8th grade Chemistry class
Kiet said that during his primary and secondary school years, he always loved Math and natural sciences. The turning point came in 8th grade, when he took his first Chemistry class. From the initial formulas to the world of atoms and molecules, a new horizon gradually appeared to Kiet.
“I realized that all the mysteries of the world are made up of tiny particles. Chemistry has since become the destination I want to pursue,” Kiet said.
The moment that confirmed his choice came when Kiet performed an experiment to create H₂ gas from Zn and HCl. Seeing the reaction unfold exactly as he imagined, Kiet was excited and surprised. Chemistry is both logical and creative, always challenging imagination and analytical ability. Every time he solved a difficult problem or understood a reaction more deeply, Kiet loved this subject even more.
In 2022, Kiet became the valedictorian of the Chemistry Department, University of Natural Sciences - Ho Chi Minh City National University. But that pride quickly turned into a new responsibility. “I don’t feel pressured in the heavy sense, but I am clearly aware that I have to study harder and more seriously. The valedictorian title reminds me to always move forward,” Kiet shared.
As a child of Khmer ethnicity, Kiet admitted that there were times when he felt inferior because of his background, afraid that he could not keep up with his friends. Sometimes, he also felt pressured when he thought that he had to prove his ability to not disappoint the expectations of his family and community.
“I overcame it by looking at my strengths, learning every day and reminding myself that every effort is valuable. I want my achievements to not only bring me personal joy, but also to show that ethnic minority students can absolutely go far when given the opportunity and perseverance,” Kiet shared.
Persistence is better than talent
Kiet's learning philosophy is to not give up halfway and be patient with each small step. He believes that perseverance, rather than talent, determines long-term success. Just like in Chemistry, every important reaction requires time and patience.
During the preparation for the Chemistry Olympiad, Kiet experienced a stressful period, especially when his knowledge was "saturated" while the pressure of studying in class increased. The way Kiet overcame this was to break down each problem, focus on reviewing each type of question, rest properly and always remind himself of his long-term goals. "Not giving up halfway" is what he tried to maintain even though he was sometimes tired or discouraged.
In Chemistry, Kiet likes the concept of chemical equilibrium the most - a state where the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction, creating a feeling of stability in the system even though it is always moving inside. For Kiet, it is not only knowledge but also a philosophy of life - one must know how to balance between theory and practice, between patience and action. Only when the balance is maintained, the results will be sustainable.
When asked about the factor that helped him go the farthest, Kiet immediately answered that it was discipline. “Talent helps you catch up quickly, a good environment helps you develop, but discipline keeps you going the long way. Success does not choose talented people, it only chooses people who do not give up,” Kiet said.
Ly Tuan Kiet also clearly distinguishes between “good study” and “scientific thinking”. For him, good study is understanding and solving problems with learned knowledge, while scientific thinking is knowing how to ask questions, knowing how to doubt things that are not necessarily true and knowing how to find solutions. Scientific thinking follows me all my life, not just in books.
Currently a fourth-year student, Ly Tuan Kiet hopes to become a true Chemistry researcher, contributing to creating useful values and contributing to scientific and environmental issues. Furthermore, Kiet hopes to be able to support young people with the same passion in the future, especially ethnic minority students.
“I want to be a small example for you to believe that starting point does not determine the future. What matters is whether you dare to persevere or not. I love discovering new chemical reactions, challenging myself through exams and research projects, and at the same time, I hope to inspire the community, especially young ethnic minority people like me.”
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thu-khoa-nganh-hoa-va-cau-chuyen-vuot-qua-noi-tu-ti-vi-xuat-than-2467583.html
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