With an admission score of 29.75, Tran Minh Ha, a Grade 9 student from Newton Secondary and High School, became the highest-scoring candidate in Hanoi’s 2026 public high school entrance examination. Earlier, she had won first prize in the city-level literature competition for the 2025-2026 academic year.

After Hanoi’s Department of Education and Training released the examination results, Minh Ha emerged as the overall top scorer with a total admission score of 29.75. She earned 9.25 in Literature, 9.5 in Mathematics and a perfect 10 in English, along with one bonus point because her mother belongs to the Muong ethnic minority group.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Minh Ha said she was delighted when she received her results but never imagined she would become the top scorer in Hanoi’s public high school entrance examination.

Her mother, Quach My Linh, recalled that her daughter waited at the door for her to return home from work so she could share the news with a hug.

From maths team member to literature champion

Linh said Minh Ha has always been highly motivated and goal-oriented.

“When she studies, she is completely focused. Sometimes I have to remind her to stop and not stay up too late,” Linh said.

In her studies, Minh Ha prioritises understanding concepts thoroughly and learning from mistakes.

“I never set vague goals like simply wanting to study well. I usually define a specific target, such as the average score I want to achieve, and then make a clear plan to reach it,” Minh Ha said.

Linh stressed that the family does not place pressure on academic achievements. Instead, they encourage self-discipline, effective time management and healthy daily routines. Minh Ha typically finishes her homework before 9:30 p.m. and goes to bed no later than 10 p.m.

“If children are healthy and well-rested, they can stay focused and absorb lessons more effectively the next day,” Linh said.

She also expressed gratitude to the school, particularly Minh Ha’s homeroom teacher, for helping her daughter develop careful and meticulous habits.

“Intelligence alone is not enough. Without learning to be careful and thorough, it is difficult for students to achieve outstanding results in school and later in life,” she said.

That attention to detail was evident in Minh Ha’s perfect English score this year. Although she completed the exam in just 20 minutes, she spent the remaining time checking and reviewing her answers several times.

A turning point from mathematics to literature

Linh said Minh Ha loved mathematics from an early age and won numerous awards in maths-related competitions. By Grade 7, she was still part of the school’s maths training team. However, recognising her daughter’s ability to organise ideas and express herself in writing, Linh encouraged her to explore literature.

From that point, Minh Ha decided to pursue the subject more seriously.

“Since childhood, Minh Ha has always been compassionate and willing to view issues from different perspectives. Perhaps that is one reason she excels in literature, analysing topics deeply and presenting balanced viewpoints in both her writing and everyday life,” Linh said.

Her talent became increasingly evident as she developed into one of the standout members of the school’s gifted literature team, eventually winning first prize in Hanoi’s city-level literature competition during the 2025-2026 academic year.

A setback in Grade 8 and a remarkable comeback

Minh Ha believes perseverance and determination are essential to achieving any goal, especially during difficult periods.

She points to her own experience as proof.

In Grade 8, she competed in the city-level literature competition for Grade 9 students but failed to achieve the result she had hoped for. The disappointment left her deeply discouraged and at times doubtful of her own abilities.

Instead of giving up, however, she reviewed her weaknesses, learned from her mistakes and systematically improved every aspect of her writing.

The effort paid off. By Grade 9, her essays had improved significantly, surprising her teachers and helping her secure first prize in the city-level literature competition.

“Sometimes failure becomes the motivation that pushes you to work harder,” she said.

In addition to topping Hanoi’s public high school entrance examination, Minh Ha was also admitted to the specialised literature programme at Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. She scored 7.25 in the specialised subject examination, giving her a total admission score of 43.25, four points above the admission benchmark. Earlier, she had also been accepted into the specialised literature programme at Hanoi National University of Education High School for Gifted Students.

Minh Ha describes herself as outgoing and sociable. She enjoys playing the piano and says music helps her maintain balance after long hours of study. Beyond academics, she actively participates in extracurricular activities at school.

Having studied within the Newton school system since primary school, Minh Ha said that despite gaining admission to several prestigious public and specialised schools, she has chosen to remain at Newton High School for the next three years.

“All of the opportunities are excellent, but I feel this environment is better suited to my goals because it allows me to develop across a broad range of subjects. I want to continue studying here, and our family fully supports that decision,” her mother said.

Thanh Hung