The 19th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) kicked off at Hanoi’s University of Science and Technology on May 6, attracting the participation of 188 contestants from 25 countries and territories.

Vietnamese students attending the 18th Asian Physics Olympiad welcomed when returning home

APhO, held annually since 2000, is currently the premier physics competition for pre-university students aged below 20 from Asian countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said that this year, Vietnam is honoured to be the host of the 19th Asian Physics Olympiad, after 14 years, which reflects the international community’s recognition of and belief in the Vietnamese education’s development.

Nha stressed that Vietnam always considers basic sciences, including physics, to play a specially important role in boosting scientific and technological development, especially in the context of the fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Vietnamese Government will pay more attention to physic development in the time ahead, he added.

APhO President Leong Chuan Kwek asked contestants to make friends with others as many as possible to learn from their physical knowledge as well as their dreams and their countries’ cultures.

Vietnam sends eight contestants to the 19th APhO, which is taking place from May 6-13.

The 18th Asian Physics Olympiad 2017 took place in Yakutsk, Russia, from May 1-9, with the participation of 153 contestants from 22 countries and territories.

At the previous competition, Vietnam grabbed one gold, three silver, and three certificates.-VNA