Ha Noi – The British Council has officially announced the five Grand Prize winners of the IELTS Prize 2025 and introduced this year’s cohort of IELTS Inspirers – 15 inspiring individuals who are ready to spread positive values within their communities. Now in its 14th year, the IELTS Prize has evolved beyond a prestigious academic competition to become a platform where candidates can share their learning journeys, express their aspirations and foster a proactive, responsible and human-centred learning community. With its most open and flexible format to date, IELTS Prize 2025 reaffirms that the true value of IELTS lies not only in scores, but also in the knowledge, skills and opportunities it opens up.
A human-centred award that celebrates personal journeys
Going beyond the boundaries of a conventional academic contest, IELTS Prize 2025 introduced new participation rules and assessment criteria, encouraging candidates to express their personal stories through video submissions guided by individualised prompts. This approach created an open and inclusive platform, where all efforts were truly seen, heard and valued.
Candidates from across the country, representing diverse ages, professions, educational backgrounds, and IELTS levels, found in the IELTS Prize a fair and empowering space, where their voices were valued and their unique learning paths recognised, regardless of their starting points. This human-centred approach has inspired hundreds of learners and reshaped the way many view English and IELTS in contemporary life. Today, IELTS is no longer just a language proficiency test. It is a practical tool that supports a wide range of goals including university admissions, graduation requirements, study abroad, migration and career advancement in an increasingly global world.
The strength of the IELTS Prize comes both from its humanistic vision as well as from the trusted reputation of its organiser – the British Council. With over 90 years of global experience and a presence in more than 100 countries, the British Council continues to nurture an inclusive, inspiring and forward-looking learning community in Viet Nam. This strong foundation is what makes participants feel proud and motivated to be part of something larger than themselves.
Samantha Lea Smith, Exams Country Director (Vietnam), shared: 'This year’s submissions not only captured my attention for the sheer technical quality of production and language, but also for their sense of humanity, humility and growth. The deeply inspiring stories sent in from the length and breadth of the country demonstrate how IELTS, as shown through the IELTS Prize, is becoming a platform for connection, self-development, and meaningful sharing. We are proud to see candidates approach the prize not only as a competition, but also as an opportunity to express their personal values, inspire others, and help foster a thriving learning community.'
Meet the IELTS Inspirers – a generation ready to inspire
From various submissions nationwide, the British Council selected 15 of the most compelling entries to form the first generation of IELTS Inspirers. Among them, five outstanding individuals were awarded the Grand Prize, each receiving 50 million VND and an exclusive IELTS Prize Kit, a symbol of their effort and perseverance.
The stories of the Top Five Grand Prize winners stood out for their emotional depth, resilience and determination. Despite differences in backgrounds, goals and IELTS scores, they all share one belief: IELTS can open the door to meaningful change.
Phu Thanh Ngoc – Student from Banking University HCMC, IELTS 5.5
Starting from very little knowledge of the IELTS test, Thanh Ngoc reached her goal of 5.5 overall after just three months of persistent self-study. She worked part-time during the day and studied late into the night, making full use of every resource available, from free YouTube videos to the IELTS Ready Premium platform from the British Council. In her IELTS Prize interview, she passionately shared her determined four-year plan, carefully built around IELTS, as she pursues her dream of becoming an English teacher in the future.
Tran Le Ngoc An – English teacher and content creator, Da Lat, IELTS 8.0
For An, English is not only a teaching tool but also a bridge that allows him to explore the value of knowledge and spread a love of learning within the community. An holds a long-term aspiration: to bring English closer to students in his hometown, guided by the belief that one should not only learn English, but also learn through English. This vision fuels his ongoing efforts to refine his teaching skills and create educational content that is both accessible and inspiring, helping learners enjoy meaningful, engaging experiences on their journey to mastering a global language.
Nguyen Tan Minh Quan – Internal Medicine doctor (specialising in Infectious Diseases) and Science teacher, Ho Chi Minh City, IELTS 8.5
As both a learner and a medical practitioner, Minh Quan recognises that mastering English not only helps him better support international patients and clients in Viet Nam, but also enables him to stay abreast of the latest medical guidelines and global best practices. Quan believes IELTS is a powerful tool for students in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, not just for its academic or credentialing value, but for how the journey of preparing for IELTS broadens perspectives and opens access to a wealth of international knowledge.
Truong Thi Linh – Children’s English teacher and volunteer tour guide, Ha Noi, IELTS 6.5
Coming from a remote mountainous area with limited educational resources, Linh had little access to formal English learning during the first 18 years of her life. Witnessing the success of her peers through IELTS became her source of motivation, and she worked tirelessly studying while working part-time to support herself. Achieving a 6.5 in IELTS, Linh overcame her own limitations to embark on a new journey: becoming an unofficial cultural ambassador by sharing the beauty of Viet Nam with international friends.
Nguyen Ngoc Ha My – Recent graduate from Luong The Vinh High School for the Gifted, Dong Nai, IELTS 8.5
For My, the IELTS journey goes far beyond the score. Even after completing the test, she continued to practise IELTS skills daily. The reading materials she encountered during preparation expanded her thinking, exposed her to diverse perspectives, and deepened her interest in academic subjects, particularly in the fields of society, culture and education. From local debate stages to national arenas, Ha My has gradually built a solid academic foundation. With an impressive IELTS score of 8.5, she is now ready to pursue a degree in English Language at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Proud to be one of the five Grand Prize winners of the IELTS Prize, Phu Thanh Ngoc said: ‘I once thought my story wasn’t worth telling because a 5.5 score isn’t particularly impressive. But the IELTS Prize helped me realise it’s not always about the number – it’s about the honesty and effort behind the journey. Being heard and recognised has made me more confident. I hope my story encourages others to keep working hard. No matter where you start, you have the right to dream big.’
While the spotlight often shines on the Top Five, the remaining Top Ten Inspirational Prize winners also delivered diverse, heartfelt and motivating stories. From teachers overcoming challenges to learners conquering psychological barriers, each entry offered a unique perspective on resilience and authenticity in learning. The IELTS Prize has thus evolved from a score-driven competition into a space where every learning journey, whether it is the first step or the final push, deserves recognition and celebration.
These candidates will be honoured with the Inspirational Prize, each receiving a 10 million VND award along with an IELTS Prize Kit as a well-deserved recognition of their meaningful and determined learning journey.
These 15 remarkable individuals as IELTS Inspirers will continue to collaborate with the British Council to uplift, connect and inspire IELTS learners nationwide. Their stories will help foster an inclusive, positive and motivating learning environment for future generations.
Though IELTS Prize 2025 has concluded, the journey of inspiration has only just begun. Through its ongoing mission, the Prize continues to demonstrate the transformative power of English and the importance of sharing personal stories that inspire others to grow.
END
About IELTS with the British Council
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language test for higher education and global migration. Over 12,500 organisations worldwide trust IELTS – including educational institutions, employers, governments, and professional bodies.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. Learn more about IELTS at: www.ielts.org