Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung opened the 48th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) at the International Convention Conference in Hanoi, on July 24.

"It's our honour to host the IMO as it reflects the trust of the international mathematicians and friends," PM Dung said, pledging that contenders will enjoy excellent conditions to display their talents.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister said that joining the competition in Vietnam was a good opportunity for contestants to contribute to promoting international solidarity and building a better world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan said the competition was attracting greater attention from countries and territories, the maths community as well as young maths talents globally.

“This is of special significance as there is a global shortage of high-level personnel in the field of basic science which can have a negative impact on the long-term and sustainable economic development,” he said.

As many as 526 students from 95 countries and territories are competing in the 48th IMO, the largest ever event since its launch in Romania in 1959.

To date, Vietnamese students have attended 29 IMOs since 1974 and have consistently ranked in the top ten. Six Vietnamese students are set to take part in this year's IMO which will see the competitors to solve six mathematical problems in nine hours on July 24-25.

The Vietnamese contestants at the opening ceremony.

Deputy head of the Vietnamese delegation, Nguyen Duc Hoang said that the Vietnamese students are highly ready for the competition. “No target is set for the Vietnamese delegation, however we hope that all of our contestants will gain prizes,” he said.

The examination board is comprised of 70 Vietnamese math experts, including 30 overseas Vietnamese who teach at universities and research institutes worldwide. After the competition, the Olympiad participants will embark on a tour of Ha Long Bay and join cultural programmes with Vietnamese students.

The IMO 2007 award presentation ceremony will be held on July 30.