18-year-old Vu Thanh Lam, from Ninh Binh, is the top scorer entering the Military Technical Academy (MTA) with a perfect 30/30. He achieved perfect scores in both math and physics on the high school graduation exam. While his English score was a 9, his IELTS score of 8.0 allowed it to be converted to a 10. Additionally, he received 1.75 bonus points for winning second place in the provincial math competition.

The MTA stated that Lam is one of 35 students with perfect scores among nearly 950 new students in both military and civilian programs. As the top incoming student, Lam and his family were invited to the opening ceremony on 17/9.

"I'm incredibly proud and moved to have my whole family present at this ceremony," Lam said.

Vu Thanh Lam at the Military Technical Academy's opening ceremony on 17/9. Photo: Duong Tam

Vu Thanh Lam at the Military Technical Academy's opening ceremony on 17/9. Photo: Duong Tam

Lam explained that his father is a civil servant and his mother is an elementary school teacher. From a young age, captivated by historical stories, Lam dreamed of becoming a soldier.

In 2022, he earned top marks entering the 10th-grade math class at Luong Van Tuy Specialized High School. Upon starting, Lam set his sights on winning a national award for direct admission to the MTA. He also focused on English, believing it would open doors regardless of his chosen career.

At the beginning of 12th grade, Lam achieved an 8.0 on the IELTS exam. He secured second place in the provincial math competition but didn't win at the national level.

"Because I focused on math for the national competition, I didn't have time for other assessments and only had three months to prepare for the high school graduation exam," Lam explained.

With a strong math foundation and his IELTS score converted to his English grade, Lam dedicated most of his time to physics for the A01 exam (math, physics, English). He had to review almost all the basic formulas before practicing with past exams. Fortunately, his time on the math team honed his self-study skills and logical thinking, making exam preparation smoother.

Pham Thi Nhieu, vice principal of Dong Huong Elementary School in Quang Thien commune, Ninh Binh, and Lam's mother, also noted her son's excellent self-study habits.

She described Lam's meticulously planned schedule, allocating specific time slots for each subject. Every evening, he started studying at 7:30 pm and never studied past 11 pm.

"Even after the graduation exam, he kept his study routine. After a short 1-2 day break, he returned to exploring math problems and writing English essays," Nhieu said.

Lam with his parents and sister at the MTA's opening ceremony. Photo: Family provided

Lam with his parents and sister at the MTA's opening ceremony. Photo: Family provided

Determined to join the military, Lam prioritized daily exercise and sports, even during intense exam preparation. A week into his program, he reported no physical challenges, only adjusting to the new academic and training regime.

"The first three days were the toughest. Getting used to the 11 daily routines was challenging, but I'm adapting," Lam shared.

Lam hopes to study information technology after six months of military training, as he initially intended.

"Regardless of my major, I'll strive to be a skilled military engineer," Lam stated. "Events like A50 and A80 inspire me to pursue my dream and contribute to our national defense."

Duong Tam