VIETNAM GIFTED EDUCATION SYSTEM: LEGACY AND ALUMNI IMPRESSIONS

In the context of the 80th anniversary of Vietnamese education (1945–2025), this study reflects on the 60-year development of the gifted high school system through the perspectives of 30 alumni from 16 gifted high schools nationwide, representing different generations and professional fields. The study adopts a qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews to explore alumni’s learning experiences and the influence of gifted schools on their personal and career development. The findings indicate that gifted high schools have played a significant role in fostering advanced disciplinary knowledge, creating a positively competitive learning environment, and providing students with career advantages. However, the alumni also reported several challenges associated with the system, including examination pressure, mental health concerns, and the need to balance specialized training with the development of interdisciplinary skills in the context of globalization. Based on these analyses, the study proposes directions for developing a more humanistic and sustainable gifted high school system that meets the demands of contemporary educational reform.