Born and raised in Huoi Xa village, Nhon Mai commune, Nghe An Province, a border commune neighboring Laos, Lo Thi Na Ni, 18, grew up seeing many residents leave to earn a living elsewhere, amid hardship, limited educational opportunities, and few chances for personal development. 

She realized early on that studying was the only way to change her own life and that of her family. With her family’s finances far from comfortable, Ni said her parents had to make many sacrifices to support her education. That starting point became the driving force behind her determination to study.

When entering secondary school, Ni had to leave home to attend a boarding school. Away from her parents’ care, she quickly learned independence, goal-setting, and self-discipline. “I truly cherish the chance to go to school, so I always remind myself to study hard to change my life,” Ni said.

In high school, studying at Nghe An Ethnic Minority Boarding High School, Ni experienced a clear shift in mindset and study methods. There, she studied alongside peers from many mountainous and disadvantaged districts of Nghe An. All were resilient, hardworking, and eager to rise. That environment strengthened Ni’s belief that circumstances do not determine the future, only effort does.

For three years, Na Ni ranked as an excellent student and won second prize in the provincial literature competition. In the 2025 national high school graduation exam, she scored 29.5 points, becoming the runner up among exam group C00 (literature, history, geography) students. Ni said the result came from perseverance, effective study methods, and above all, belief in herself.

“Only when you believe you can do it will you have the perseverance to see it through,” Ni said. She noted that the runner-up title is both a source of pride and pressure, as well as motivation to keep striving, learning and improving.

Thanks to this achievement, Ni was admitted to the International Relations major at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Studying in a highly competitive environment where most classmates come from specialized schools and major cities, Ni sometimes felt insecure about her background, abilities, and study methods.

“At that time, I felt slower than others and realized how much I still didn’t know,” Ni said. But instead of putting pressure on herself or comparing with others, she chose a more sustainable path: learning a little every day and never giving up.

“I think I don’t need to be good from the start. What matters is daring to accept my shortcomings, daring to correct mistakes, continuously learning, and expanding relationships to become more confident,” Ni said. That philosophy has helped her gradually integrate, mature, and grow more confident in the university environment.

Throughout her studies, Ni has achieved certain accomplishments. Yet what makes her most proud is not the numbers or awards, but her own journey of growth, from a girl once insecure about her starting point to someone brave enough to step out of her comfort zone, dare to try, and keep learning to improve herself.

Following these efforts and results, Na Ni was honored as one of 150 outstanding ethnic minority pupils, students, and youth in 2025, recognized and awarded scholarships by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.

“Looking back, I am quietly grateful to my past self for not giving up during difficult years, for persevering through doubt and challenges. To me, studying and growing are not about surpassing others, but about becoming a better version of myself and living a more meaningful life,” Ni said.

At present, Ni said she has not yet formed a clear picture of her future career, but knows she wants to stay connected to education and research. The greatest wish of the young Thai woman is to bring knowledge, technology, and development opportunities back to her hometown, so local people are no longer disadvantaged or left behind.

“If I have the chance to return to my hometown, it would not only be a career choice but also a way to give back to the place where I was born and that gave me the strength to go far,” Ni said.

Thuy Nga