All Hanoi students won high prizes at the 16th International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2023), according to the city's Department of Education and Training.

The Hanoi delegation won two silver and two bronze medals at the competition, which was held in Poland from August 10 to 20, 2023, with the participation of 261 candidates from 53 countries and territories.

A ceremony was held at Noi Bai International Airport on August 22 to welcome and honor Hanoi students who won top prizes at the IOAA 2023. Tran The Cuong, director of the city's Department of Education and Training, presents certificates of merit to the winners. Photo: Laodongthudo.vn

They are all from physics classes at the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. The silver medal went to Pham The Minh and Tran Thai Vu (12th grade). Two bronze medals went to Nguyen Ba Linh and Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Anh (11th grade).

Speaking at the ceremony to welcome back and honor the winners of the IOAA 2023, Director of Hanoi's Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong said that the students' achievements have reaffirmed the strength of the city’s education sector.

"I expect schools in the capital will focus on spearheading educational activities and win international awards that will make both Hanoi and Vietnam proud," the director stressed.

The IOAA is an annual international science competition for high school students to honor astronomy and astrophysics.

It is a joint initiative of five countries - Thailand, Indonesia, Iran, China, and Poland - to popularize astronomy among high school students and promote international friendship and cooperation among young astronomers, giving opportunities for students from different countries and regions to enhance exchanges.

The competition was first held in Thailand in November 2007. In last year's edition, the Hanoi delegation competed for students nationwide and won one silver medal, five bronze medals, and one consolation prize. The next edition will be held in Brazil in 2024.