HO CHI MINH CITY HOSTS THE 32ND EXCELLENT STUDENT COMPETITION IN SOLVING MATHEMATICS ON HANDHELD CALCULATORS FOR THE 2025 - 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR: A TRADITIONAL INTELLECTUAL FESTIVAL GATHERING 3,800 STUDENTS

On January 11, 2026, the 32nd Ho Chi Minh City Excellent Student Competition in Solving Mathematics on Handheld Calculators for the 2025–2026 academic year officially took place, attracting 3,800 outstanding students from middle and high schools across the city and neighboring areas. This is one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious academic competitions in the field of applied mathematics education in Vietnam.

The competition was organized under the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, with the enduring companionship of Binh Tay Import-Export Joint Stock Company (BITEX) – the official representative of the CASIO brand in Vietnam, along with the presence and support of a high-level delegation from CASIO Japan, CASIO Singapore, and international partners in the field of education.

A competition rich in tradition, originating from Ho Chi Minh City

Initiated in 1995 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Competition in Solving Mathematics on Handheld Calculators was born in the context of the education sector beginning to promote the application of modern tools in teaching and learning. From an initial experimental academic playground, the competition quickly received widespread response from teachers and students, step by step asserting its value, prestige, and strong spread.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu – Director of the Department

Over more than three decades of formation and development, the competition has been a place to discover and nurture excellent students, contributing to shaping applied mathematical thinking, encouraging students to effectively exploit handheld calculators as a tool to support thinking, analysis, and problem-solving in a scientific and accurate manner.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung – Chairman of the Board of Directors of BITEX Group

In the 2025–2026 academic year, the competition was organized in the context of the administrative merger of three localities: Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, thereby expanding the scale of contestants with 3,800 participating students. To ensure the organization, the competition was deployed at two locations on the same day, including Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted and the Practical High School.

Gathering education leaders and international partners

This year's competition was honored to welcome leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, including Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu – Director of the Department, along with representatives of specialized departments.

On the side of BITEX, the event was attended by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung – Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ms. Tran Thanh Thao – General Director, and Mr. Nguyen Dac Luc – Deputy General Director.

In particular, the competition recorded the presence of a high-level leadership delegation from CASIO Computer (Japan), notably Mr. Tetsuro Ono - Member of the Board of Directors and Senior Executive Officer of the Global Sales and Marketing Headquarters, along with Mr. Shingo Yamaga – General Manager of CASIO Singapore, and leaders in charge of global strategy for scientific calculators, EdTech, and educational product development. This attendance clearly demonstrates CASIO's long-term commitment to accompanying Vietnamese education, especially in Ho Chi Minh City – the birthplace of the movement for solving mathematics on handheld calculators.

Mr. Tetsuro Ono - Member of the Board of Directors and Senior Executive Officer of the Global Sales and Marketing Headquarters – CASIO Computer Co., Ltd.

In addition, the event also saw the presence of Mr. Satoshi Matsui – Director of the International Administration Department (International Business Division), Pilot Corporation.

Ms. Tran Thanh Thao – CEO of BITEX, Mr. Tetsuro Ono, and Mr. Shingo Yamaga – CEO of CASIO Singapore taking a souvenir photo with students at the competition

Education in the Digital Era: Nurturing Thinking and Courage

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of the HCMC Department of Education and Training, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, said that the excellent student competition in solving mathematics on handheld calculators was held in Ho Chi Minh City, which has the largest student population in the country. “Therefore, I request the steering committee and the exam invigilation board to thoroughly grasp and work seriously, impartially, and fairly to create the best conditions, helping the students promote their skills and do their exams well.

The competition is a useful academic and professional playground. Nearly 4,000 contestants participating today are typical students from middle and high schools,” said the Director of the HCMC Department of Education and Training.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung emphasized the deep meaning of the competition in the new context: “In the context of digital transformation and deep international integration, education does not stop at imparting knowledge, but must also spark thinking, nurture courage, and the adaptability of the younger generation. The Competition in Solving Mathematics on Handheld Calculators is a testament to that spirit – where students not only solve math problems but also learn how to master tools, optimize thinking, and solve problems in a smart and creative way.

With 3,800 contestants participating, today is truly a great festival of intellect. No matter what the final result is, I believe that every student present here has won over themselves – when they dare to try, dare to conquer challenges, and dare to pursue their passion for science.

The result is very important, but most important of all is the spirit of honesty, courage, confidence, and love of learning that you carry with you after this competition. Please consider this a beautiful memory, a meaningful milestone on your journey of growing up.”

On behalf of CASIO, Mr. Tetsuro Ono stated: “We deeply appreciate that teachers always trust, choose, and consider CASIO as a companion, an effective supporting tool in teaching, contributing to improving the quality of teaching and learning mathematics in schools.

And in particular, we send our deepest thanks to the Board of Directors and the collective of BITEX Company – CASIO's strategic partner in Vietnam – for their dedication, responsibility, and enduring commitment to the cause of education. And especially, contributing to turning CASIO calculators into effective learning tools for Vietnamese students.

For CASIO, education is a long-term mission on our journey of technology conquest. We believe that when students are equipped with the right tools, they will develop logical thinking, analytical skills, and self-belief. And the Excellent Student Competition in Solving Mathematics on Handheld Calculators is a clear testament to that belief of ours.”

The 32nd Ho Chi Minh City Excellent Student Competition in Solving Mathematics on Handheld Calculators continues to affirm its role as a prestigious academic playground with rich practical value, while demonstrating the close connection between the education sector, businesses, and international partners in improving the quality of teaching and learning mathematics in Vietnam.

With a solid traditional foundation, continuous innovation, and the long-term companionship of BITEX – CASIO, the competition is expected to continue to strongly spread the spirit of active learning, modern thinking, and international integration to many generations of students in the following years.