The exam is scheduled to take place on January 5-6 at 68 venues across the country. In Son La, there are 90 excellent candidates, 38 higher than the previous academic year, competing in nine subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Informatics, Biology, Literature, History, Geography, and English. They are mainly from the Son La High School for the Gifted; Chieng Sinh, Moc Ly, Mai Son and Phu Yen high schools; Chu Van An primary, secondary and high school; and Nguyen Du secondary and high school.

The exam is organised annually by the Ministry of Education and Training to select candidates to participate in regional and international Olympiads.