1. Hi Dao Vu Quang, congratulations on your excellent achievements in the last IMO. How do you feel winning the Silver Medal with 27 points?

To begin with, I would like to thanks Ams Wide Web for the kind attention you have given me. Much as I am happy with the Silver Medal, I still have certain regrets thinking I could have done better, since I was unable to finish resolving the 5^th problem of the test. This also serves as my motivation to push myself harder towards future goals.

Representatives of Vietnam in IMO 2016

2. What did you need to prepare to achieve such results? Apart from efforts of your own, how did your teachers, friends and family help you during the process of preparation?

Preparing myself for the IMO is a long-term process. Besides having solid fundamental knowledge since secondary school, I have continuously making efforts to spend the best part of my time in high school on Mathematics. I give adequate and equal attention to all 4 branches: Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory and Combinatorics. Whenever I finish a problem, I usually conclude its fascinating features or its most essential point. Moreover, I regard pre-exam mentality as of significance importance, which is why before each important test I always try to put my mind at ease and avoid over revising.

To achieve the success I have today, I must send my most sincere thanks to my mother, an experienced Mathematics – Informatics lecturer at Banking Academy. Mom has always followed each and every of my steps on the path of learning Mathematics. Ever since I was a kid, mom has stimulated the love for Math in me through mathematical intelligent quizzes; until I have grown, mother and I still engage in discussions to solve difficult problems. Another one of my motivations to zealously pursue Math is the passion with which my noble and experienced teachers have taught me, as well as the attention, affection, and company of my admirable peers.

3. What’s your impression on IMO and your co-representatives?

The meticulous preparation from the IMO organizers is what impressed me the most, especially the event’s venue at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with a breath-taking beach view and spectacular art performances integrating Asian – Western cultural specialties. In the examining process, the representatives of Vietnam received great help from Mr. Hoang Do Kien (Silver Medal IMO 2013) who was currently studying Math there so everything was smooth sailing.

In the IMO team, each member had distinct traits which I had the chance to discover and understand after our two months of practice. Participating in the competition in Hong Kong really pulled us closer together.

4. Would you like to share your most memorable experience with Mathematics?

My most memorable experience with Mathematics must be the period of time I spent studying in the National and International Team. The chance of education with my peers who share my passion for the subject; attending lectures by eminent teachers, each with their own style of teaching; as well as absolute focus when I solve math problems were my greatest experience. Those days also strengthened my belief in the miracles of Mathematics.

5. In the forthcoming September you will officially become a freshman of the prodigious Columbia University in the United States. What intentions do you have for your exciting life at the institute?

I intend to major in Mathematics in Columbia; moreover, I am looking into extra-curricular activities and other subjects to strike a balance to my university life.

Thank you for joining the interview. We wish you the best of luck and much more success waiting ahead of you!

Interviewer: Binh Minh – Mathematics 2 1417

Translator : Hoai Thu - English 1 1417