06 June, 2025

BIS Hanoi student honoured at the 33rd International Philosophy Olympiad

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We’re delighted to celebrate the incredible achievement of Year 12 student Phạm Bùi Gia Khanh, who has once again made BIS Hanoi proud on the international stage. Competing at the 33rd International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO) in Bari, Italy, Gia Khanh was awarded an Honourable Mention for the second time.

The International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO) is one of the world’s most prestigious academic competitions, inviting Secondary students from across the globe to explore profound philosophical questions and present their reflections through essay writing.

This year’s Olympiad brought together 111 students from 54 countries and territories, all tackling some of the world’s biggest questions through deep philosophical writing. Participants were given four hours to write an essay in one of four official languages (English, French, German, or Spanish), choosing from thought-provoking prompts inspired by the works of Mary Wollstonecraft, Hannah Arendt, Michael Polanyi, and Giovanni Sartori.

BIS Hanoi student honoured at the 33rd International Philosophy Olympiad | British International School Hanoi - Gia Khanh IPO Awards

Gia Khanh was one of only two students selected to represent Vietnam, a notable achievement given the rigorous national selection process. In 2023, as a Year 10 student, she made her debut at the IPO and earned an Honourable Mention. To be recognised, not just once but twice at such a demanding competition is truly extraordinary.

Mr. Dang Minh Tuan, a lecturer at the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and the head of the Vietnamese delegation, stated, "After the national selection round, two of the most outstanding students were selected to represent Vietnam at IPO 2025 in Bari from May 15 to 18. Despite having limited time for preparation, these students exhibited admirable philosophical insight and intellectual maturity.”

While returning to the IPO was an honour, Gia Khanh admitted it came with unexpected emotional pressure. “I was caught in the pressure of having to escape the shadow of the past and somehow outperform myself,” she shared. However, this time, she also felt something different - a deeper sense of excitement and connection. Since her first IPO experience, she has immersed herself further in philosophy by organising a literature-philosophy camp, organising writing competitions, and developing her understanding through independent study. “I came back in 2025 with, perhaps, a more grounded sense of self,” she reflected. “I didn’t feel that I just learned philosophy, but I, to an extent, lived it and embodied it.”

This personal growth shaped her approach to this year’s essay. She chose to respond to a prompt based on a quote by Mary Wollstonecraft, which argued that people do not knowingly choose evil, but rather mistake it for good in their pursuit of happiness. Writing on this topic, Gia Khanh felt a rare connection. “I believed in what I wrote, rather than constructing an argument for the sake of the essay,” she said. Her essay drew from a wide range of philosophical thought, incorporating Aristotle’s hamartia - a concept she first encountered in her Year 11 English class - alongside Kant’s moral theory and ideas from Lacan, Foucault, and Judith Butler.

Her preparation for the Olympiad was marked by both discipline and deep enthusiasm. Since 2023, Gia Khanh has continued to read, write, and think deeply about philosophical ideas. She spent months exploring the philosophy of language, not directly tested in the competition but crucial to her overall understanding of meaning and thought. In total, she wrote 14 timed practice essays and outlined many more, all while managing the demands of her IB studies. In addition, since 2023 after her participation in the IPO, Gia Khanh has led the first-ever Philosophy CCA at BIS Hanoi, creating an open space for Secondary students interested in philosophy to engage in discussions through interactive sessions."

Looking ahead, Gia Khanh hopes to continue studying philosophy at university, possibly as a minor. Although she’s still exploring her future path, she feels confident navigating uncertainty, something she credits to her time with philosophy.

“Just like Wollstonecraft says, philosophy invigorates,” she said. “And I hope to carry that spirit with me wherever I decide to pursue it in the future.”

Gia Khanh’s success is not only a testament to her hard work, passion, and curiosity but also a powerful example of how our students are stepping confidently onto the world stage. We’re incredibly proud of her and can’t wait to see where her philosophical journey leads next.