Two days after the 2024 Miss Vietnam Student final on 20/7, Dang Quynh Anh, 21, a third-year medical student at Hanoi Medical University, vividly recalled the moment her name was announced.

"As I was called into the top 20, top 11, top 5, and then top 3, I felt incredibly nervous, and my mind went almost blank. When my name was announced for the Miss title, I was overjoyed but also felt the pressure of a great responsibility," Quynh Anh said.

The 2024 Miss Vietnam Student competition, organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, began with nearly 1,000 applicants, narrowing down to 39 finalists.

The Hanoi native impressed the judges with her appearance, eloquent presentation skills, and intelligent responses. In the "Humanity" segment, Quynh Anh presented a well-developed project on providing emotional support to children in hospitals, complete with illustrative materials, scientific basis, and practical applications.

In the talent segment, through graceful dance, Quynh Anh told the story of a resilient female doctor facing difficult cases and sleepless nights in the emergency room. The doctor, at times on the verge of collapse, never gave up, remaining steadfast, not out of obligation but out of ideals, because behind every white coat beats a compassionate heart.

Dang Quynh Anh during a competition activity. Photo: Provided by the subject

Dang Quynh Anh, a graduate of Kim Lien High School in Hanoi, excelled in all subjects. When it came time to choose a specialization in high school, she faced a difficult decision.

During this time, a serious illness led to a three-week hospital stay. Witnessing the dedication of doctors and medical staff daily, Quynh Anh felt inspired and began exploring related careers. Encouraged by her biology teacher, she decided to apply to the medical program.

In 2022, she gained admission to Hanoi Medical University through a combination of her high school graduation exam scores and an IELTS score of 6.5.

Upon entering university, she felt the pressure of being surrounded by exceptionally talented peers, many of whom had been directly admitted due to national and international awards. This motivated Quynh Anh to strive for excellence.

Beyond academics, she actively participated in extracurricular activities, including the dance club and the university's communications board, often finding herself "drowning in deadlines." Meanwhile, medical students face a demanding curriculum filled with challenging subjects like anatomy and physiology.

"At Hanoi Medical University, students have multiple exams per semester. It was stressful when events coincided with exam schedules," Quynh Anh shared.

To manage her time effectively, she focused intently during lectures to minimize pre-exam study time. She prioritized tasks based on their urgency and importance.

Quynh Anh finished her first year with a GPA of 8.2/10 and the title of "5 Good Student" at the city level. By her third year, she was elected head of the communications board, receiving numerous accolades from the university and the Hanoi Student Association.

Bui Viet Duc, who has worked with Quynh Anh on the communications board since their first year, admires her thoroughness and attention to detail.

"She is calm and composed, balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and social relationships. Quynh Anh is dedicated to every task and often takes the lead in planning club activities," Duc said.

Quynh Anh at Hanoi Medical University. Photo: Provided by the subject

Encouraged by friends, Quynh Anh decided to enter the Miss Vietnam Student competition, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase her field of study and university. She had not considered participating before.

After registering in December of the previous year, Quynh Anh began preparing for the competition by working out at the gym and practicing her catwalk.

This year, the Miss Vietnam Student competition included a reality TV segment filmed in Ho Chi Minh City. On one occasion, filming clashed with her university exams, requiring her to fly to Ho Chi Minh City and return to Hanoi on the same day.

Quynh Anh valued the experience of sharing accommodations with other contestants, rooming with different groups during each filming session, which allowed her to make new friends.

"That was one of the most valuable things I gained from the competition," Quynh Anh remarked.

Quynh Anh crowned Miss Vietnam Student.

The student in her white coat.

Quynh Anh during the Miss Vietnam Student competition.

Quynh Anh at an event.

Opening performance outfit for the semi-final on 16/7.

The student during a segment of the semi-final.

Quynh Anh presenting her Humanity project.

Quynh Anh during a catwalk session.

Since winning the Miss Vietnam Student title, Quynh Anh has received inquiries about participating in other beauty pageants. However, she is currently focused on completing her medical studies at Hanoi Medical University.

"During the Q&A segment of the semi-final, I spoke about pursuing one's passion. It's not easy, especially in the medical field," Quynh Anh stated. "But I have enough love for this profession and will strive to become a good doctor in the future."

Duong Tam