Overview
The Vietnamese Mathematical Olympiad (VMO) is the mathematics subject of the national excellent-student exam for upper-secondary students, run by the Ministry of Education and Training. The ministry regulation names the subjects but does not use the name VMO, so this page follows what it says about mathematics. The details below follow the regulation as amended up to 2023.
Who can take it
Candidates are upper-secondary students rated Good or better for conduct and for academic results in the term or year before the exam, chosen for their province's or unit's team. Each candidate may sit only one subject. A team may have up to 6 candidates per subject (12 for Hanoi), or up to 10 (20 for Hanoi) in the circumstances the regulation sets out.
Exam pattern
Mathematics has two exam sessions in the national exam. A written session lasts 180 minutes. There is an official exam and a reserve exam of equal difficulty, with no optional questions.
Team selection exam
Mathematics also has a separate selection exam for the national teams going to international and regional Olympiads. It is held in Hanoi, with two sessions of 270 minutes each.
Syllabus
The content stays within the national upper-secondary curriculum and the ministry's guidance for specialised schools. The regulation sets no detailed topic list.
After the exam
Results decide national prizes, and prize winners can be chosen for the team selection exam.
Preparation tips
Work through past papers in full three-hour sittings.
Practise writing complete proofs.
Is VMO the same as the national excellent student exam?
Mathematics is one subject within it. The same exam also covers other subjects.