Celebrate 94 Vietnamese students recognized at the UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge 2026, including 65 Gold Awards and 5 perfect scores of 125/125
Celebrating Vietnamese Students’ Outstanding Achievements at UKMT SMC 2026
A remarkable achievement for young mathematical talents in Vietnam! At the Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC) 2026, organized by the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT), 94 out of 104 Vietnamese participants from 53 schools and educational institutions earned awards, demonstrating their strong mathematical abilities and problem-solving skills.
Among the award recipients, 65 students received Gold Awards, 15 earned Silver Awards, and 14 achieved Bronze Awards. Particularly impressive, five students attained a perfect score of 125/125, successfully answering all 25 questions in the challenge. These results highlight the dedication, logical reasoning, and mathematical confidence of Vietnamese students participating in an internationally recognized competition. GeniusStar is delighted to celebrate these achievements and recognize the hard work behind every award.
Understanding the UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge
The Senior Mathematical Challenge is one of the well-known mathematics competitions organized by the UK Mathematics Trust, an organization dedicated to advancing mathematical education and encouraging young people to develop their problem-solving abilities.
Designed for students in Grades 10–12, the SMC challenges participants to approach mathematical problems through logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and creative problem-solving rather than relying solely on memorized formulas or routine calculations.
The competition covers a range of mathematical topics, including:
- Geometry: Understanding shapes, spatial relationships, and geometric properties.
- Number Theory: Exploring integers, divisibility, and numerical patterns.
- Combinatorics: Applying logical reasoning to counting, arrangements, and possibilities.
- Applied Algebra: Using algebraic concepts to analyze and solve mathematical problems.
What makes the UKMT challenge particularly interesting is its emphasis on how students think. Participants must interpret unfamiliar problems, identify relevant information, and determine the most effective approach within a limited time.
For students, taking part in SMC is not only an opportunity to demonstrate mathematical knowledge but also a valuable experience in developing independent thinking and tackling unfamiliar challenges.
Vietnam’s Outstanding Results at UKMT SMC 2026
The 2026 edition recorded an impressive performance from Vietnamese participants. A total of 104 students from 53 schools and educational institutions took part in the competition, with 94 successfully securing awards.
65 Gold, 15 Silver and 14 Bronze Awards
The award results reflect the strong performance of students across different educational environments:
65 Gold Awards
- Minh Huy Tran – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Gia Minh Le – Sedbergh Vietnam
- Nguyen Tan Huynh – Homeschool
- Thanh Minh Nguyen – Chu Van An Highschool
- Ha Vy Hoang – Ardingly College Vietnam
- Vu Huy Nguyen – Vinschool The Harmony
- Tuong Anh Do – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Nguyen Duy Phuong Cao – VNU-HCM High School for the Gifted
- Quynh Chi Pham – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Anh Phan – International School Ho Chi Minh City
- Chi Bach Le – Foreign Language Specialized School
- Ngoc Linh Pham – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Quang Hai Vu – TH School Hoa Lac
- Gia Khanh Phung – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Van Ha Tran – Wellspring Hanoi International Bilingual School
- Tuan Kiet Nguyen – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Minh Phuong Nguyen – Wellspring Hanoi International Bilingual School
- Quynh Anh Nguyen – The American School (TAS) Vietnam
- Bao Nghi Vu – Vinschool Central Park
- Linh Nhi Vu – Vinschool Central Park
- Minh Thuy Nguyen – Vinh Phuc High School for the Gifted
- Hoang Quynh Chiphan – VNU-HCM High School for the Gifted
- Minh Hai Dao – Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted
- Quang Anh Tran – Australian International School
- Huy Minh Quang Le – HUS High School for Gifted Students
- Thien An La – Pascal Secondary School
- Son Hoang Nguyen – Homeschool
- Mai Trang Nguyen – Nguyen Sieu School
- Nam Khanh Bui – HNUE High School for Gifted Students
- Kim Long Vo – Nam Nha Trang Secondary School
- Hoang Nam Vu – Kim Lien High School
- Gia Phong Tran – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Thao Nhi Nguyen – Vinschool Metropolis
- Viet Trieu Nguyen Tu – HNUE High School for Gifted Students
- Gia Hao Dang – Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted
- Gia Hung Le – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Le Duc Minh Hoang – Homeschool
- Khanh Linh Vu – Hai Hau C High School
- Nguyen Minh Khue Phung – Canadian International School
- Dinh Dung Pham – Nguyen Sieu School
- Nguyen Trong Phu Vo – Tran Phu High School
- Quoc Hung Pham – Viet Duc High School
- Huy Anh Nguyen Phan – Foreign Language Specialized School
- Luong Thai Uyen Phan – Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted
- Gia Khanh Do – Vinschool Times City
- Bao Minh Tran – Saigon South International School
- Khanh Vy Luong – Nguyen Sieu School
- Ngoc Dong Pham – HUS High School for Gifted Students
- Anh Khoi Nghiem – HUS High School for Gifted Students
- Gia Han Ngo – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Thanh Mai Ngo – Vinschool Ocean Park
- Bao Khang Luong – Vinschool The Harmony
- Xuan Son Pham – HUS High School for Gifted Students
- Kim Chi Ha – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Xuan Chi Hien Nguyen – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Nhat Huy Le – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Anh Tri Tran – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Truc Chi Dang – VNU-HCM High School for the Gifted
- Chi Bui – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Gia Bach Dinh – Homeschool
- Van Minh Nhat Ong – Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, Da Nang
- My Uyen Bui – St. Paul American School Hanoi
- Bao Ha Dao – Delta Global School
- An Nguyen Lac – Australian International School
- Trung Kien Hach – Vietnam Australia International School – Garden Hills Campus
15 Silver Awards
- Duc Nam Bui – Delta Global School
- Linh Chi Tran – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Tuan Thanh Mai – Foreign Language Specialized School
- Bao Tran Thai – Nguyen Trung Truc 1 High School
- Hong Phuc Nguyen – Kim Lien High School
- Duc Tuan Bui – DGS Adventure Program – The Dewey Schools
- Thi Minh Thu Le – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Duc Tung Dang – Concordia International School Hanoi
- Gia Hung Nguyen – DGS Adventure Program – The Dewey Schools
- Khanh Linh Nguyen – Nguyen Sieu School
- Song Khue Nguyen – VNU-HCM High School for the Gifted
- Hoa Tran – Homeschool
- Nguyen Khanh Bui – British Vietnamese International School
- Phuong Anh Nguyen – VNU-HCM High School for the Gifted
- Nguyen Bao Khanh Dinh – Nguyen Sieu School
14 Bronze Awards
- Duc Duy Nguyen – Marie Curie Hanoi School
- Quang Cuong Tran – Vietnam Australia International School
- Le Ngoc Linh Pham – Vinschool Metropolis
- Minh Hieu Chau Pham – Vinschool Metropolis
- Khanh An Nguyen – The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay
- Le Bao Duy Thai – Vietnam Australia International School
- Minh Hai Dao – Le Quy Don – Ha Dong High School
- Huong Giang Dao – Vinschool The Harmony
- Minh Ngoc Cao – Renaissance International School Saigon
- Thanh Hai Le – Singapore International School @ Vung Tau
- Ngoc Thu Giang Nguyen – Vinschool Central Park
- Phi Yen Ngo – Can Tho University Elite High School
- Khai Anh Tran – Vinschool The Harmony
- Nguyen Lam Tung Dang – Fairmont International School Vietnam
Notably, Gold Award recipients came from 35 different schools, demonstrating the growing strength of mathematical learning across a diverse range of educational institutions in Vietnam.
Among these schools, Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted stood out with 14 Gold Awards, leading the results among participating schools.
These achievements demonstrate that mathematical excellence can emerge from different learning environments. They also reflect the commitment of students who continuously challenge themselves through demanding academic experiences.
5 Vietnamese Students Achieve a Perfect Score of 125/125
One of the most remarkable highlights of UKMT SMC 2026 was the achievement of five students who scored a perfect 125 out of 125, answering all 25 questions correctly.
The five outstanding students are:
- Minh Huy Tran – Hanoi Amsterdam High School for the Gifted
- Gia Minh Le – Sedbergh Vietnam
- Nguyen Tan Huynh – Homeschool
- Thanh Minh Nguyen – Chu Van An High School
- Ha Vy Hoang – Ardingly College Vietnam
Achieving a perfect score in a challenging mathematics competition requires more than strong subject knowledge. It also reflects accuracy, careful reasoning, and the ability to maintain focus throughout the examination. GeniusStar congratulates all five students on this exceptional accomplishment. Their results are a testament to the dedication and confidence required to excel in advanced mathematical problem-solving.
What Made the UKMT SMC 2026 Challenge Particularly Demanding?
Beyond the mathematical concepts covered, the 2026 examination introduced an important feature in its final three questions.
Instead of multiple-choice responses, these questions required students to enter an integer answer ranging from 0 to 999. Additionally, marks were deducted for incorrect answers.
This format added another layer of difficulty to the examination. Students could no longer rely on selecting an option from a list; they had to independently calculate and verify their answers before submitting them.The scoring approach also placed greater emphasis on accuracy and careful decision-making. A strong mathematical approach was important, but so was the ability to evaluate whether an answer was reliable before committing to it.This makes the achievements of the 94 Vietnamese award recipients particularly noteworthy. Each award represents not only mathematical understanding but also the discipline and precision needed to perform under examination conditions.
For students preparing for future editions of the UKMT competition, this is a valuable reminder that effective preparation should involve more than solving large numbers of problems. Developing logical reasoning, checking solutions carefully, and learning to approach unfamiliar questions are equally important.
Celebrating Mathematical Excellence and Inspiring Future Achievements with GeniusStar
At GeniusStar, academic competitions are valuable opportunities for students to explore their interests, challenge their abilities, and gain experience in an international learning environment.
The achievements at UKMT SMC 2026 reflect the potential of Vietnamese students to engage with demanding academic challenges and demonstrate their abilities alongside participants from different educational backgrounds. More importantly, every result represents an individual learning journey. Behind each award are hours of preparation, moments of problem-solving, and the determination to keep improving.
GeniusStar would like to extend its warmest congratulations to all 94 Vietnamese students who received awards at SMC 2026, with special recognition for the five students who achieved a perfect score. We also recognize the efforts of all 104 participants who took on the challenge, as every competition provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover new strengths. May these achievements inspire more students to pursue their passion for Mathematics, embrace challenging problems, and continue exploring the world of academic excellence.
Congratulations to all our outstanding young mathematicians!
