"I have had a fulfilling journey within my capabilities, even if it wasn't as vibrant as many of my peers," Tri, a 22-year-old bachelor of international economics, shared upon receiving the news.

According to Tri, the perfect score across all 137 credits at Foreign Trade University is not just a number; it demonstrates his stability, discipline, and continuous effort.

"I view each academic credit as a brick that must be meticulously placed to complete a structure. Therefore, I strived from the very first subjects to pursue my goal," Tri stated. Additionally, the student worked hard to earn scholarships and support his mother, as his father passed away when Tri was 10 years old.

Pham Quoc Tri, valedictorian at the Foreign Trade University campus in TP HCM in 2026. *Photo provided by interviewee*.

Tri was a literature major at Tien Giang High School for the Gifted in Dong Thap, where he won a third-place national award. However, by 12th grade, he was still uncertain about his field of study and university choice. Ultimately, Tri chose Foreign Trade University because of its reputation for excellent students and high regard among businesses, following advice from an older peer.

Challenges emerged for Tri at the start of the academic year. During English presentations, he felt "lost" among most students who already held IELTS certificates upon admission. In high school in his hometown, he primarily focused on grammar and vocabulary, struggling with listening and speaking skills.

"I had to accept that I was not as good as my friends, but I wasn't ashamed. Instead, I practiced speaking to gradually get used to it and avoid falling behind," Tri shared.

This became Tri's study philosophy: not to feel insecure or hesitant about what he didn't know. Instead, he prepared lessons thoroughly, asked questions in class to clarify issues, and then self-studied using mind maps for better understanding and retention. Before each exam period, Tri created his own practice tests to check his knowledge.

Additionally, he maintained a study group, recognizing that teaching lessons to friends was an effective way to memorize and understand the core of a problem. As a result, he earned the university's academic incentive scholarships (equivalent to tuition fees) in 6 out of 7 semesters, along with several scholarships from businesses.

According to Tri, his one shortcoming was limited participation in extracurricular activities and student movements. At Foreign Trade University, students are not only academically strong but also dynamic, leading teams, participating in many competitions, conducting scientific research, and starting work early. This was also the reason he missed out on a scholarship in one semester.

"Everyone has different goals. I have no regrets because there are still many opportunities ahead to engage and gain experience," Tri stated.

Pham Quoc Tri (fourth from left) receiving a corporate scholarship in 2025. *Photo provided by interviewee*.

Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vice Director of Foreign Trade University's TP HCM campus, who taught and supervised Tri's graduation thesis, praised his determination and persistence in his studies. She was impressed because he always set clear goals and made specific plans to achieve them.

"He is a keen observer, has depth, actively participates, and immediately asks questions if he has an issue to understand the lesson in class rather than waiting until the end of the semester," Ha said. "Tri always tries to do everything perfectly."

Therefore, the female lecturer hopes Tri will bravely step out of his comfort zone and be more adventurous in his career journey.

Le Nguyen