Last weekend, Nguyen Ngoc Yen Trang, 23, received an engineering degree from the University of Engineering, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. With a GPA of 3,88/4, Trang not only led her faculty but also became the university's valedictorian.
The Hanoi native was a student in the Japanese language class at Foreign Language Specialized High School. When choosing her major, Trang was drawn to construction, diverging from her family's guidance towards translation or economics.
"My relatives said studying civil engineering is hard, but I believe construction is the foundation of all social activities," Trang shared. She also enjoyed calculations and natural science subjects. The student noted that women can perform many roles well in this field, such as structural design and construction management.
Admitted to the university in 2021, Trang initially faced few difficulties with general subjects like Algebra and Calculus, despite the heavier curriculum and need for self-study.
By her third year, when she delved into specialized subjects, Trang found them challenging. Unlike theoretical courses, these subjects demanded extended projects.
"For exams, I only felt pressure close to the test date. But with projects, because they had deadlines, I felt pressure throughout the process, needing to research and learn independently instead of just doing exercises and reviewing according to instructors' guidance," Trang recounted.
The greatest pressure came during her graduation project, coinciding with her work at a company specializing in construction surveys for Japanese partners. Trang's thesis focused on the structural design for a grade-one apartment building, utilizing a transfer beam-wall structural system and combined isolated foundations.
According to Trang, this topic was rarely pursued and lacked reference materials. Consequently, she spent sleepless nights researching and applying concepts. At one point, she felt unable to balance her time and had to request temporary leave from work to focus on completing it.
"This field is truly demanding," Trang stated, "but I enjoy seeing designs gradually take shape."
 |
Yen Trang on her graduation day, 7/2. Photo: Provided by subject |
Yen Trang on her graduation day, 7/2. Photo: Provided by subject
Beyond her studies, Trang participated twice in the Virtual Design World Cup (VDWC) in 2022 and 2024. This annual design competition is for students in architectural design, bridge and road infrastructure, and creative urban planning.
With an idea for an airport city – an automated cargo port providing a relaxation area for travelers during layovers or flight delays – Trang and her University of Engineering team secured third place twice.
Le Thuy Duong, who taught two subjects and served as a reviewer for Trang's graduation project, commended her logical thinking, knowledge foundation, strong stance, and critical thinking abilities.
Duong recalled a time when Trang declined to go to the board for extra credit, even though she knew the answer, because she hadn't fully grasped the underlying concept.
"That honesty, combined with Trang's 'slow but sure' learning approach, gave me a different perspective on her and made me realize that some students truly don't need extra points," Duong stated.
Beyond her specialized knowledge, Trang recognized that her Japanese language foundation aided her studies and opened up opportunities. For example, at VDWC, when each team sent two representatives to Japan to present, Trang was chosen because she spoke Japanese and English. She holds a JLPT N2 Japanese language certificate (N1 is the highest) and an IELTS 7.0.
The job Trang secured at the end of her third year was also a direct result of her language skills, as her company's partners were Japanese construction firms.
Trang hopes for an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies or work in construction in Japan for a period.
Duong Tam
