These five Vietnamese golden boys were born into different families in different living conditions and live in different localities. However, they all won silver medals at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).

From left: Nguyen Phan Minh, Pham Van Quyen, Nguyen Dinh Tung, Pham Thanh Long and Vu Hong Anh

Vu Hong Anh, a 12^th grade student at Tran Phu Gifted School in Hai Phong city, was joyful at the airport; however, he was still a bit ‘unsatisfied’.

It was because in 2001-2002, Hong Anh’s brother, Vu Ngoc Minh, won gold medals at the International Mathematics Olympiad, and Hong Anh, who was then 10, so liked the medals on his brother’s neck that he promised himself that he would also get a gold medal.

Hong Anh’s mother related that Anh is seven years younger than his brother, but he is always discontent if his brother bests him academically.

Anh got the highest marks among the members of the Vietnamese team, but he still needed to get four marks more to get a gold medal. He lost the marks because he was a perfectionist when fulfilling exam questions.

Anh said that he will study at the Hanoi University of Natural Sciences and he hopes to have the chance to study in the US.

Nguyen Dinh Tung, a 12^th grade student at Le Quy Don Gifted School in Da Nang city, was fetched by his mother who travelled from Da Nang to Hanoi the day before.

Tung’s mother said that the silver medal was beyond the expectations of her family. She said that Tung had been teaching himself, and if he needed explanation, he asked for help from his father.

Tung hopes to study at the Civil Engineering Faculty under Da Nang University and become a physics professor.

Meeting the family’s members, teachers and friends at the airport, the boy from Nguyen Trai Gifted School in Hai Duong province Pham Thanh Long was very happy. His teacher said proudly that the silver Long won is the first silver medal for Hai Duong.

Long’s father Pham Huu Lang related that before Long left for the IPhO, he knew for sure that Long would get a medal because Long is a self-confident boy. Previously, Long won a silver medal at the Asia-Pacific Physics Olympiad. Long’s friends also predicted that Long would get a medal because the boy, who is also a guitarist, is very clever.

Long, who plans to become a physics engineer, said that he will study at the University of Technology.

Pham Van Quyen was the smallest boy on the IPhO team. Therefore, his parents were very worried during his examination.

Quyen does not have favourable learning conditions like his friends. His father is and old veteran, while his mother is retired. Quyen had to live in a rented room when he studied at high school because his home was 30 kilometres from school.

Quyen’s teacher said that the student always studies hard and deserves the silver medal for his efforts.

Nguyen Phan Minh, or little Minh, a 12^th grade student at HCM City National University, is an innate physicist, as both his parents are physics teachers.

Minh’s mother related that Minh has always been an excellent student, from his first year at primary school to last year at high school. Minh is good in both natural and social sciences. The mother never had to force Minh to learn because Minh feels happy when studying.

Minh wants to study in the US and get a PhD in the field of electronics-telecommunications.

Bao Anh