At just six years old, Le Ngoc Diep (Class 1A2) has already built an impressive collection of medals from national and international Mathematics competitions during the 2025–2026 academic year.

"Scooping" Six Math Awards in One Year

Meeting Le Ngoc Diep for the first time, one is immediately struck by her bright, sparkling eyes and agile, lively demeanor. In class, teachers and peers affectionately dub her the "golden girl of the Math village" due to her stellar achievements in the subject. To date, she has secured five Gold Medals and one Silver Medal at various prestigious national and international Math olympiads.

Specifically, Ngoc Diep swept Gold Medals at the National Round of the Asian Science and Mathematics Olympiad (ASMO); both the National and International Rounds of the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO); the National Round of the ViOlympic Mathematics Competition; and the National Round of the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad (HKIMO). Additionally, she brought home a Silver Medal from the National Round of the International Kangaroo Math Competition (IKMC).

These are all highly regarded competitions within the domestic and international Math Olympiad systems. Designed to stimulate and nurture a love for Mathematics among youth while enhancing creative thinking skills, these annual events attract hundreds of thousands of contestants from schools nationwide and across multiple countries and territories.

To secure a spot in the national and international rounds, contestants must navigate highly competitive school, cluster, and provincial/local rounds, which demand exceptional ability. Maintaining peak performance across successive rounds to win a continuous streak of medals—as Ngoc Diep has done—is an extraordinary feat for a first-grader.

Nurturing Passion and Exploring Knowledge

Ngoc Diep’s passion for Mathematics stems not from the pressure of achievement, but from a naturally nurtured interest since early childhood. Ms. Nguyen Trang, Ngoc Diep’s mother, shared: "Diep is the second child in our family. When she was just two or three years old, she would sit down and mimic her older brother while he studied. I introduced her to Math when she was four, which gave her a foundational footing and gradually sparked her love for numbers."

Ms. Pham Thi Huong, Diep’s homeroom teacher in Class 1A2, noted that Ngoc Diep possesses sharp logical thinking skills and absorbs knowledge remarkably fast. She is not only gifted in Math but is also highly diligent, persistent, and always eager to challenge herself with innovative, creative learning methods.

Recognizing Ngoc Diep’s exceptional talent and sharp mathematical mindset from the very beginning of the school year, Ms. Huong frequently introduced extended curriculum topics. This approach helped the young student grasp core concepts deeply, sharpen her problem-solving skills, and maximize her passion. Ms. Huong also encouraged her to participate in Math competitions to further develop her potential.

Beyond her mathematical prowess, Ngoc Diep excels in other subjects, including English. She won Third Prize in the "Storytelling" competition and an Consolation Prize in the "Spelling Bee" contest, both hosted by Greenfield School Ecopark. Her proficiency in English has proven to be a vital asset, enabling her to confidently tackle international Math competitions administered in English.

Behind Ngoc Diep's academic success is the close companionship of her family, particularly her mother. For Ms. Nguyen Trang, education is about learning and conversing with her child, rather than strict enforcement.

"Studying is as natural a habit for her as eating or sleeping," Ms. Trang said. "On days when she is sick or tired, I actually have to remind her to stop doing exercises and leave them for the next day. Most importantly, her teachers have fostered a real joy for learning in her; they are often even more patient and loving than family members."

For Ngoc Diep, the greatest reward after each winning tournament is being treated to ice cream by her mother. Furthermore, Ms. Trang revealed that Diep is highly motivated by the reward points awarded by her homeroom teacher on the school's gift-redemption app. This has become a fun incentive for her to sign up and test her limits in Math competitions.

When asked about her future aspirations, the young student did not hesitate: "I dream of becoming a great doctor so I can cure patients with critical illnesses." While ambitious for someone her age, it is a beautiful dream. With her profound passion for Mathematics, Ngoc Diep is undoubtedly poised to reap many more successes in the future.