International Biology Olympiad medalist leaves Hong Kong to inspire next generation in Vietnam

A decade after studying and working at an Asia's top 10 university in Hong Kong, an International Biology Olympiad medalist has returned to Vietnam to strengthen science education in his hometown.

Nguyen Dac Hieu, 28, said leaving Hong Kong to become a teacher at Lam Son High School for the Gifted in Thanh Hoa Province was always part of his plan, driven by a desire to contribute to his community.

Hieu is one of over 700 teachers appointed by the province's Department of Education and Training last month. As one of only two educators assigned to Lam Son High School for the Gifted, he will lead the specialized biology classes. It is a goal he has nurtured since graduating from the same school 10 years ago.

"Ever since I began studying abroad, I wanted to absorb new knowledge and methodologies so I could bring them back to serve my country," he said.

In 2016, Hieu won a bronze medal at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), the world's premier annual competition for high school students.

A year later, he secured a full scholarship to study Biotechnology at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which currently ranks ninth in the 2026 QS World University Rankings for Asia.

Nguyen Dac Hieu on his university graduation day at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Photo courtesy of Hieu

He was also a founding member of the Vietnamese Students’ Association in Hong Kong (VSAHK), serving as its president from 2023 to 2025. This leadership role gave him an understanding of the aspirations and challenges faced by Vietnamese students venturing abroad.

"Students in Vietnam in general, and Thanh Hoa in particular, are academically excellent, but they sometimes lack opportunities for early exposure to international learning methods and academic environments," he said.

After graduating from university in 2022, Hieu remained at HKUST as a research assistant. Earlier this year, upon hearing that his home province was recruiting teachers, the young man weighed the decision of staying abroad against returning home.

"I wondered what I would do if I returned, and how to best utilize what I had learned and practiced in a world-leading educational environment to deliver the greatest value to students," he said.

Bolstered by the support of his family and former teachers, Hieu ultimately gained the confidence to submit his application.

Nguyen Thanh Son, Principal of Lam Son High School for the Gifted, expressed pride at his former student's return. Hieu is the first alumnus in the school's history to win an international Olympiad medal and return to teach.

Son noted that while the school's specialized biology classes have achieved accolades in national competitions over recent years, they have yet to make a breakthrough on the international stage.

The administration hopes Hieu will become a foundational asset to the biology department, helping elevate the quality of training for gifted students and reviving the school's streak of international Olympiad achievements.

His return is also expected to generate momentum, helping the school attract other outstanding alumni to coach its elite student teams.

Hieu emphasized that his goals extend beyond the classroom walls of a specialized high school.

"I hope to inspire a passion for learning and scientific research, and impart the most suitable study methods to all students—not just at Lam Son, but throughout Thanh Hoa and the entire country," he said.