On September 25, 2011, the Ho Chi Minh University of Economics broke the Guinness World Record for the largest mind-map jigsaw puzzle at Phu Tho Gymnasium in District 11. The puzzle breaks the previous Guinness World Record of a 212,323 piece mind-map by Singapore in 2002 and a 600-square-metre mind-map puzzle by China in 2010.
Titled “Vietnam”, the 660-square-metre puzzle was manually put together from 551,232 (2.5x2.5cm) pieces by 1,600 students in 17 continuous hours, from 7.30 am on September 24 to 0.26 am on September 25, at Phu Tho Gymnasium in Ho Chi Minh City with the supervision of Carim Valerio.
The Challenge Your Mind Group and MA Do Kien Trung (Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics) initiated the idea of making the puzzle and it was prepared in 11 months. The mind-map is in the shape of a pink six-petal lotus representing the country’s people, geography, history, culture, education and economy of Vietnam. To complete it, the group had to change the method of implementation 49 times.
This new Guinness World Record shows not only the creativeness of Vietnamese youth, but also their love for the country.
1.600 students of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics take part in grafting the Vietnamese jigsaw mind-map puzzle. Photo: Le Minh
Two students together graft a piece in the jigsaw. Photo: Le Minh
Each piece needs the skills of two students. Photo: Le Minh
Carim Valerio, the representative of the Guinness World Record, supervises each stage of the jigsaw. Photo: Le Minh
After completion, pieces are put into boxes and carefully numbered. Photo: Le Minh 
Pieces are combined together into a large jigsaw by students Photo: Le Minh
Grafting pieces together needs the mind and care of students. Photo: Le Minh
Each group has to complete a corner of the puzzle. Photo: Le Minh
A panoramic view of the Vietnamese jigsaw mind-map puzzle that set the Guinness World Record. Photo: Phuong Vy
The artistic programme at the ceremony to announce the Vietnamese jigsaw mind-map puzzle that set a new Guinness World Record. Photo: Phuong Vy
Carim Valerio gives the certificate of the Guinness World Record to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics.
Photo: Phuong Vy |
Story: Nguyen Oanh - Photos: Le Minh – Nguyen Luan – Phuong Vi