Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Dr. Can Tran Thanh Trung, a Vietnamese mathematician who earned his doctorate from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), has returned to Vietnam to take a position as a lecturer at the University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. The move, confirmed by university director Vu Hai Quan, represents a significant commitment to bolstering Vietnam’s academic landscape.
Born in 1995, Dr. Trung’s path to academic success began with an early aptitude for mathematics. His mother, Ha, recalled that even in kindergarten, he demonstrated an ability to solve problems mentally. Despite a temporary setback in middle school when he wasn’t initially selected for a gifted student program, his passion for the subject persisted. He later gained admission to the High School for the Gifted at the University of National Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous curriculum.
Dr. Trung’s academic achievements include a gold medal at the 2013 International Mathematical Olympiad in Colombia. He then received a full scholarship to Duke University in the United States, graduating as valedictorian in mathematics in 2018. He continued his studies at Caltech, which ranked 7th globally in the 2024 Times Higher Education rankings and among the top 10 according to Quacquarelli Symonds, earning his doctorate there.
Throughout his education, Dr. Trung credits the influence of educators like Dr. Le Ba Khanh Trinh, a renowned mathematician who achieved a perfect score at the 1979 International Mathematical Olympiad in London. “The flame of Professor Le Ba Khanh Trinh burns intensely within me,” Dr. Trung stated, acknowledging the profound impact of his mentor. Dr. Trinh has dedicated decades to teaching mathematics and guiding Vietnamese students to success in international competitions.
After nearly a decade of study and research in the United States, Dr. Trung expressed concern that the potential of Vietnamese students remains largely untapped. He believes that while Vietnamese students possess the capacity and motivation to excel, they often lack access to quality education from a young age. He cited the example of Duke University’s research programs, which attract significant investment and provide students with valuable research experience, as a model for Vietnam to emulate.
Dr. Trung has already begun initiatives to address this gap, founding the PiMA summer camp for mathematics research and applications in 2016. The camp, supported by his personal funds, students, researchers, and the University of Science, has provided advanced training in machine learning, data science, and bioinformatics to hundreds of students across Vietnam. Many PiMA alumni have gone on to pursue research at leading universities worldwide or work for major technology companies.
In 2025, Dr. Trung was selected as a lecturer in the Faculty of Information Technology at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, through the university’s VNU350 program, designed to attract and cultivate young scientific talent. He is also involved in identifying and mentoring gifted mathematics students at the high school level, collaborating with educators he has long admired, including Dr. Le Ba Khanh Trinh and Dr. Tran Nam Dung.
“Returning to my country, each day takes on a special meaning,” Dr. Trung said. “Beyond the challenge of this new job, I also have the opportunity to learn more about my homeland.” He added that he feels a responsibility to contribute to the development of Vietnam’s scientific community and to inspire the next generation of mathematicians.