Nguyen Duc Binh, 23, from Hanoi, was one of 95 outstanding top graduates honored by the Hanoi People's Committee at Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam on the evening of 14/11.

Binh majored in criminal investigation of social order, graduating with an excellent academic average of 3.81/4. This achievement allowed him to graduate with the rank of lieutenant, which is typically a second lieutenant upon graduation.

Before this, Binh earned the "5-Good Student" title from the Ministry of Public Security and achieved other accomplishments. Binh expressed pride but also acknowledged the greater responsibility that comes with the trust placed in him by his teachers and superiors.

Nguyen Duc Binh, top graduate of the People's Police Academy in 2025. Photo: Provided by subject

Binh shared that his family has a tradition of working as teachers and in the armed forces. During high school, he weighed both options but ultimately decided to apply to the People's Police Academy, seeking a highly disciplined training environment.

Upon enrollment, Binh underwent six months of basic training. Accustomed to parental care, he initially found the strict regulations, conduct, and routines challenging. The most difficult aspects were the physical exercises, including new subjects like martial arts and swimming.

While training inevitably led to scrapes and minor injuries, Binh noticed he became more agile and stronger. His demeanor and speech also became more disciplined. Binh recognized these changes as signs of adapting to a structured way of life.

The Hanoi native was then assigned to the criminal investigation of social order specialization, focusing heavily on law and essential skills such as evidence collection and analysis, criminal psychology, and forensics.

The demanding nature of his major required Binh to read extensively. He not only mastered various laws, including Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and the Law on Organization of Criminal Investigation Agencies, but also studied numerous legal documents and foreign materials.

Binh emphasized understanding the essence of the material rather than rote memorization. He consistently questioned "why" to grasp the logic of documents and linked concepts to specific cases to improve retention. For any lingering uncertainties, Binh proactively consulted lecturers or discussed with friends.

Additionally, Binh participated in scientific research, completing four projects. These focused on the younger generation in the online environment and strategies to prevent drug influence on youth.

Binh was one of 95 top graduates honored by Hanoi City, on 14/11. Photo: Provided by subject

With a demanding curriculum and numerous activities, Binh admitted feeling overwhelmed many times, especially during exam periods. In such moments, he reflected on his past efforts to motivate himself to persevere.

During his internship, Binh worked at the former Nam Tu Liem District Police Department. He observed that the experiences with investigation procedures and principles mirrored his classroom knowledge, but actual cases demanded far more detail. Over six months there, Binh gained further professional expertise, developing composure and courage in handling specific situations, which deepened his commitment to and passion for the profession.

Beyond academics, one of the most enriching aspects of university life for Binh was living in the dormitory with many friends from across the country. As a Hanoi resident, he would not have had this experience if he had attended a civilian university. Binh not only learned to integrate and care for himself but also gained insights into different regional languages and cultures.

"I am always grateful for the police environment, as it transformed me from a rather shy student into a mature individual, both in demeanor and thought," Binh stated.

Thanh Hang