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Phung Nguyen Ngoc Anh has graduated as valedictorian of Hanoi National University of Education's Class of 2022-2026 after earning an outstanding cumulative GPA, completing a journey that began with helping her mother collect scrap metal to support the family.
During her four years at the university, Ngoc Anh completed 48 courses totalling 141 credits. She earned an A grade in 46 of them, receiving B+ grades only in Educational Psychology and Marxist-Leninist Political Economy during her first year.
She also achieved perfect 10-point scores in nine subjects, including Introduction to Computer Science, Single-Variable Calculus, Real Analysis, Mathematical Software, Foundations of Geometry, Basic Algebraic Structures, Mathematical Probability and Statistics II, and both teaching practicum courses.
With a cumulative GPA of 3.98 out of 4.0, the mathematics education student from Phu Tho became the university's top graduate in 2026.
Speaking to VietNamNet, Ngoc Anh said she was delighted that years of dedication and perseverance had been rewarded.
Her achievement is even more remarkable given her family's financial circumstances. Her mother earned a living collecting scrap materials, while her father worked as a driver.
From sixth grade, Ngoc Anh accompanied her mother on scrap collection rounds after school. Later, while attending high school, she began tutoring younger students to help supplement the family's income.
"After school, I tutored two or three evenings a week. I earned VND200,000 (US$8) per session, contributing around VND1.5 million (US$57) each month to help support my family," she recalled.
Despite these responsibilities, Ngoc Anh won two third prizes in Vietnam's National Excellent Student Competition in Mathematics during Grades 11 and 12.
She continued tutoring throughout university while also working as a teaching assistant from her second year to gain classroom experience.
Ngoc Anh believes her academic success came from spending more time studying independently than attending lectures.
"In addition to classroom learning, I devoted a great deal of time to self-study. I always reviewed lessons before class and went over my notes again afterwards," she said.
Before each examination, she carefully organised a revision schedule for every subject and practised using previous years' exam papers to become familiar with question formats and commonly tested topics.
For mathematics, she believes understanding fundamental concepts and definitions is more important than memorisation.
"Besides logical thinking, diligence and persistence are essential," she said.
Despite receiving offers from several well-known private high schools in Hanoi, Ngoc Anh chose to return to her hometown to teach at Vinh Phuc High School for the Gifted, where she has already been recruited.
Looking back on her university years, she said her only regret was not having more opportunities to travel and explore different experiences.
Alongside teaching, Ngoc Anh plans to pursue a master's degree in Mathematical Theory and Probability and Statistics.
"I hope the coming years will allow me to experience more and discover many new things," she said.
Thanh Hung
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