Meeting Dong Nai student, the recent champion of “Road to Mount Olympia” weekly contest

With a total of 335 points, Pham Bao Nam (an 11th-grade English 2 student at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted in Dong Nai province) not only excellently won the laurel wreath in the weekly round of the “Road to Mount Olympia” competition aired on December 7, but also broke the school’s record score after ten seasons of sending contestants to the program.

Bao Nam (far right) poses for a photo with fellow contestants in Week 2 – Month 2 – Quarter I of the 26th edition of the “Road to Mount Olympia” competition. Photo: Courtesy of Bao Nam

Breaking the school’s record

On December 7, when the Week 2 – Month 2 – Quarter I contest of the 26th edition of the “Road to Mount Olympia” aired, the name Pham Bao Nam immediately drew attention from viewers, especially those from Dong Nai. Although specializing in English, Nam possesses strong knowledge in the natural sciences. He delivered outstanding performances throughout the questions and led all four rounds, securing an exceptionally convincing victory.

A portrait of the laurel wreath winner hailing from Dong Nai. Photo: Courtesy of Bao Nam

Bao Nam shared that he has long had a special passion for the “Road to Mount Olympia” competition, watching the show and studying its questions and knowledge ever since he was in lower secondary school.

“I really enjoy watching ‘Road to Mount Olympia.’ Whenever there’s an interesting question, I write it down; if I come across unfamiliar knowledge, I look it up. By the time I reached grade 10 and took the school’s qualifying round, I already had a pretty solid foundation in most subjects,” Nam recounted.

Vu Thanh Binh, Nam’s former Physics teacher, remarked: “In class, Nam is an exceptionally outstanding student. He has broad knowledge and strong analytical thinking. His scores have always been among the top in the class.”

From the beginning of grade 10, Nam set a clear goal of becoming the school’s representative at the Olympia competition. He joined the school’s “Trang Luong Intelligence" competition, worked hard to claim the championship title, and officially earned his spot on the show. Remarkably, Nam won the Trang Luong championship as early as grade 10, surpassing even upperclassmen.

Bao Nam wins the champion title of the "Trang Luong Intelligence" competition. Photo: Courtesy of Bao Nam

However, the rules of the “Road to Mount Olympia” program only accept 11th-grade contestants. This meant that even though Nam had the ability and had already secured the school’s nomination, he still had to… wait another year. Yet this “pause” became a source of motivation for Nam to study more deeply, broaden his knowledge, and, most importantly, train his composure, a decisive factor that helped him win the weekly round of Road to Mount Olympia.

No cramming and no last-minute “stuffing” of knowledge, Nam focused only on practicing quick-button reflexes and keeping a clear mind before the competition. Bao Nam shared: “At first, I was a bit nervous because it was my first time facing competitors from other provinces and cities. But when I gained an early advantage in the Warm-up round, I became more confident, and the further the competition went, the more relaxed I felt.”

The most nerve-racking moment came in the Overcoming Obstacles part of the contest. As soon as the first image appeared, along with the two clues "bamboo shoots" and "green," Nam immediately hit the buzzer to claim the right to answer. It was a somewhat risky decision, but according to Nam, completely accurate, as just a second later, his opponent also pressed the buzzer, and the momentum could have shifted entirely. His correct answer in this round helped widen the gap significantly, allowing him to maintain a steady mindset until the end of the match.

The only real strategy came in the Finishing part of the contest. With a strong lead, Nam chose the safest approach, opting for three 20-point questions to minimize risks. In the end, Bao Nam delivered an outstanding performance and secured the laurel wreath.

Nam’s family travel with him to Hanoi to cheer him on. Photo: Courtesy of Bao Nam

As the only contestant from the southern region in that day’s competition, Nam did not have the advantage of a cheering section. However, he had his family by his side. His parents and younger sister rearranged their schedules to fly to Hanoi and accompany him throughout the two days of filming. “I know my parents worry about me a lot. Sitting in the audience, I’m sure they were just as nervous as I was on stage,” Nam recalled.

Dreaming of becoming a “torchbearer”

Throughout his journey preparing for the Olympia stage, what helped Bao Nam stay relaxed was the environment and the people around him every day. Nam said he loves Luong The Vinh High School not only because it has been a “cradle” for his growth, but also because the fact that his teachers and classmates have always stood by him, encouraging and boosting his confidence.

Teachers and classmates at Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted have always been Bao Nam’s source of motivation. Photo: Courtesy of Bao Nam

When she learned that Bao Nam had won the laurel wreath and broken the school’s record, Nguyen Thi Diep, his homeroom teacher who had accompanied him throughout his journey, joyfully shared that she recognized Nam as a student with persistent determination and clear direction. He had been preparing for the Road to Mount Olympia competition since lower secondary school and consistently worked to broaden his knowledge every day. Despite the intense pressure, Nam maintained a serious mindset and continually improved.

“When I learned that Nam won the weekly round with 335 points, breaking the previous records set by Luong The Vinh representatives, I was truly moved and proud. I felt overwhelming joy because his years of effort were rightfully rewarded. For me, this achievement is not just about the score; it is proof of Nam’s determination and courage,” Diep shared.

Bao Nam listens attentively during a class at school. Photo: Minh Hanh

During his two years at the school, Bao Nam has always felt grateful to his teachers for their patience and dedication. From this, a dream quietly took root in the young student’s heart: to become a teacher and return to Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted to teach and inspire future generations of students.

Hearing her student share his dream on television, Nguyen Thi Diep could not hide her emotion: “When Nam spoke about his dream of becoming a teacher out of admiration for his teachers, I was deeply moved. Alongside his respect for the profession, he also possesses broad knowledge and mature thinking. With these qualities, I believe Nam can one day become a teacher who inspires many students.”

Bao Nam is an active student in class. Photo: Minh Hanh

335 points may be just the score of a weekly round, but for Pham Bao Nam, it marks a milestone in a long journey of perseverance, effort, and a passion for learning.

Ahead of him lie the monthly and quarterly rounds, the finals, and other competitions with even greater pressure. But regardless of the outcomes, Nam has already realized his dream and proven that hard work and dedication to studying are rewarded.

And Nam believed that many years from now, when standing at the classroom podium before eager young faces, he will recall the moment he triumphed at the age of 16, and continue to inspire students who nurture dreams just like his today.

By Minh Hanh – Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha