Between 2016 and 2024, Vietnam had 220 students win medals in international competitions. Of these, 146 (66%) chose to study in countries such as the United States, Singapore, France, Hong Kong (China), Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Most of these students chose not to return, lured by better opportunities, favorable work conditions, and the desire to develop themselves in cutting-edge scientific environments.

Tran Le Thien Nhan, winner of the Silver Medal at the 2025 Asian Physics Olympiad and the International Physics Olympiad, said that these awards opened many doors and ambitions for the future. Many students, he added, want to continue their academic journey in advanced research environments where they can fully develop their abilities.

He also shared that many former Olympiad students currently studying or working abroad said the key to returning home lies in one thing: clear support mechanisms. From well-equipped labs and funding for core technologies to access to scientific grants - without these, it becomes difficult for returnees to apply their knowledge in Vietnam.

“This isn’t just the hope of past generations. It’s also our dream - to return, contribute, and continue the journey of learning and creating in our homeland,” said Nhan.

Nguyen Van Doa, a longtime teacher of the national Olympiad team and a physics teacher at Bac Giang High School for the Gifted (Bac Ninh Province), noted that while every international medal is a moment of pride, it also raises a fundamental question: Are we training students just to win competitions - or are we nurturing the next generation of scientists who can elevate Vietnam?

He emphasized that identifying, supporting, and most importantly, empowering young talents is the key to that answer.

Doa said the lack of structured support is still a major concern. Even after winning top prizes, students and their families often have to find their own way - securing scholarships and covering study costs themselves.

“Many students have the potential to become world-class scientists, but without long-term domestic support, that potential goes elsewhere,” he explained.

According to Doa, investing in Olympiad medalists isn’t just a reward - it’s a down payment on Vietnam’s future intellectual capital. The solution, he said, lies in crafting world-class career paths at home: high-level research environments, decent compensation, and real opportunities to make an impact.

He proposed the creation of a national scholarship fund for international Olympiad winners, prioritizing study in high-demand sectors like fundamental sciences, AI, and biotechnology, at the world’s top universities.

Vietnam, he added, could adopt “service return” models similar to Singapore, Japan, or South Korea - where scholarships come with incentives and obligations to return and work for a set time at national labs, universities, or key technology firms.

Equally important is the development of a strong research ecosystem in Vietnam, along with international partnerships to keep these talents engaged and growing. This means more collaboration with global universities, science foundations, and research networks.

“Olympiad medals shouldn’t be the destination - they should be the starting line for building scientists who can shape our nation’s future,” Doa said. “With a smart and sustained strategy, these medals won’t just sit in glass cabinets - they’ll be the seeds of groundbreaking research and innovation bearing Vietnam’s name.”

Professor Do Duc Thai, a lecturer at Hanoi National University of Education and a Bronze Medalist at the 1978 International Math Olympiad, agreed.

He called for a national full-scholarship program targeting truly outstanding young talents. Just as important, he said, are career paths that include prioritized hiring and salaries that reflect the value these minds can bring.

“Let’s be honest: how many of our medalists are currently contributing to Vietnam only from afar?” Thai asked. “I don’t discount their role - many act as bridges, helping our scientists stay globally connected. But imagine the power if they returned to teach, mentor, and directly build new generations of world-class Vietnamese scientists,” he said.

Thanh Hung