A solid foundation for dreams

Y Run Knul, a final-year student at Tay Nguyen University, was previously honored at the 2022 national award ceremony for outstanding ethnic minority students.

His mother, H’Biat Knul, of the Mnong ethnic group in Dak Mil commune, Lam Dong province, shared that Y Run is the third of five siblings.

The family relies primarily on three hectares of coffee for their livelihood.

Though life remains difficult, they have always encouraged their children to pursue education.

“When we saw Y Run being honored on TV in 2022, the whole family was overwhelmed with pride,” H’Biat recalled.

“I still remember that moment clearly - I cried watching him on screen. His achievement was the result of his hard work and a huge source of encouragement for our family. We’ve worked so hard to ensure none of our children have to drop out of school.”

A province-wide push for education

Nay H’Nan, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in Dak Lak province, said the province is home to 45 ethnic groups, with ethnic minorities making up 25.4% of the population.

In recent years, the Party and the State have implemented many education-focused policies for these regions - from upgrading infrastructure and teaching equipment to expanding support programs for students.

Beyond improving access to education, these recognition programs have boosted motivation for young ethnic students.

The annual award ceremony for outstanding ethnic minority students, hosted by the Committee for Ethnic Affairs (now the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs) in coordination with various ministries, is a key part of that.

According to Nay H’Nan, honoring those who excel in academics, research and personal development has become a meaningful way to uplift and inspire ethnic youth.

It encourages them to pursue knowledge, develop their skills, start businesses and contribute to both their communities and the broader nation - especially in remote and mountainous regions.

Where ambition meets support

In far-flung villages where educational conditions are limited, students who make it to university represent a remarkable success.

Principal Ha Duyen Tung of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School still vividly remembers the pride he felt when former student Le Thi Tuyet Nhung was honored at the 2024 award ceremony.

Nhung scored an impressive 29.37 in the national high school graduation exam and went on to enroll at Hanoi National University of Education.

“To see Nhung’s name called was emotional,” said Tung.

“These honors prove that ethnic students can absolutely achieve their goals when given the right support and when they set their minds to it. Her story now inspires many others in our school.”

Cultural pride and academic excellence

Nguyen Thao Vy, born in 2004 and from the Dao ethnic group in Ba Che commune, Quang Ninh province, was honored in 2022.

Both of her parents are elementary school teachers in a mountainous region, instilling in her from a young age a strong pride in the family’s tradition of education and the cultural heritage of her people.

Throughout her school years, Vy remained a top student and won a provincial third prize in literature.

She was admitted to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in 2022 with a total score of 27.25.

Commenting on her success, Ba Che Youth Union Secretary Hoang Thi Phuong Loan said: “Nguyen Thao Vy is a role model for local students and youth.”

“These recognition programs are not just about morale - they also drive support systems like scholarships, educational funds, and mentoring for ethnic minority students.”

“This opens doors for more students and builds a network of young leaders who inspire others in their communities.”

Lighting the path for the future

Thanks to the cooperation of families, schools and local governments, the annual award ceremony - now organized by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front - has become a national symbol of the Vietnamese people’s passion for learning.

Each year, hundreds of young people take to the stage, carrying the dreams of their villages and the strength of their culture.

In the years to come, it will be these students - once growing up in remote hamlets and border towns - who drive change and contribute to the prosperity of the nation.

My Dung - Quynh Tram - Le Huong