Nguyen Tran Yen Nhi, a graduate of Cua Lo High School in Nghe An province, earned a near-perfect 29.75 out of 30 on the national high school graduation exam, securing the top spot in the social sciences combination (literature, history, and geography). The Ministry of Education and Training released the scores on 16/7.
Nhi said she had checked the answer key after the exam and believed she would score above 29. However, she was still nervous when the official results were released. "Seeing 29.75, I burst into tears," Nhi said. "My mother hugged me and cried too. For the first hour or two, I still couldn't believe I was the top scorer nationwide."
The eldest of two children, Nhi lost her father when she was 4. Her mother, a middle school biology teacher, has worked tirelessly to support the family, often relocating for work. Aware of her mother's sacrifices, Nhi and her younger brother, now in 10th grade, have always prioritized their studies. Nhi maintained a perfect academic record throughout her 12 years of schooling and won second prize in the provincial literature competition in her final year.
On 16/7, Nhi's phone was flooded with congratulatory messages and calls. "It's a shame my father isn't here to see this," she said, her voice breaking.
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Nguyen Tran Yen Nhi, the top national graduate in social sciences. Photo courtesy of the subject |
Nguyen Tran Yen Nhi, the top national graduate in social sciences. Photo courtesy of the subject
Nhi described the social sciences exam as challenging, particularly the literature section, her strongest subject. She admitted to initial confusion with the essay prompt, which required analyzing the concept that "every local sky is also the sky of the Fatherland." "I connected it to the merging of provinces and cities, and the role of young people in the nation's development," she explained.
Confident in her history and geography preparation, Nhi expected to excel in these subjects. Her perfect scores confirmed her diligent study and analytical approach.
Following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, Nhi plans to study literature education at Hanoi National University of Education. "The image of a teacher has always inspired me," she shared.
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Yen Nhi with her mother and younger brother in their graduation photo. Photo courtesy of the subject |
Yen Nhi with her mother and younger brother in their graduation photo. Photo courtesy of the subject
Her homeroom teacher, Nguyen Thi Ut Suong, praised Nhi's resilience and determination. "This achievement is no surprise," Suong said. "Nhi consistently scored among the highest in practice exams."
Nhi dedicated significant time to literature, emphasizing foundational learning through attentive classroom work and online supplemental study to refine her writing. For history and geography, she focused on analytical thinking and systematic review since 11th grade.
Nhi maintained a rigorous study schedule, working from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm daily. Music and movies provided stress relief. "Music soothes me," she said. "And when I'm down, a hug from my mother always lifts my spirits."
At university, Nhi aims to excel academically and join volunteer clubs to gain experience and life skills. She holds dear her mother's advice to value even the smallest achievements and to strive for success through hard work, rather than relying on luck.
Duc Hung
