Six years after his extraordinary story of carrying a disabled friend to school for 10 years inspired people across Vietnam, Ngo Minh Hieu has officially graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree, bringing him one step closer to fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a physician.

Hieu, from Thanh Hoa Province, first captured national attention in 2020 through his remarkable friendship with Nguyen Tat Minh.

For a decade, Hieu carried Minh to school every day after his friend, who was born with severe physical disabilities affecting both legs and one arm, was unable to walk independently.

Despite his condition, Minh remained determined to pursue his education, while Hieu volunteered to become "his legs," carrying him to school through rain and sunshine alike.

Their story of compassion, perseverance and friendship resonated with readers across the country.

From an inspiring student to a young doctor

After graduating from high school in 2020, Hieu scored 28.15 out of 30 in Vietnam's university entrance examination for science subjects, including 9.4 in mathematics, 9.75 in chemistry and 9.0 in biology.

He narrowly missed admission to Hanoi Medical University by 0.25 points and instead enrolled at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

His decade-long act of kindness also earned him recognition as VietNamNet's Inspirational Figure of 2020.

On August 1, Hieu officially graduated from the university's Doctor of Medicine program.

Although he fell short of his goal of graduating with honors, Hieu said earning his medical degree represents a much greater achievement - the realization of a dream he has held since childhood.

A childhood dream fulfilled

Hieu previously told VietNamNet that he first dreamed of becoming a doctor at the age of five.

During a visit to a hospital with his parents, he impressed a physician by reading a "No Smoking" sign. When asked what he wanted to become when he grew up, he immediately answered: "A doctor."

Years later, caring for his close friend only strengthened that ambition.

He believes medicine offers an opportunity to help people facing illness and hardship, just as he once supported Minh throughout their school years.

University life, he said, also helped him develop not only professional knowledge but stronger communication skills and greater emotional maturity.

"When I carried Minh to school for 10 years, I simply wanted to help my friend. Studying medicine made me realize I now carry a much greater responsibility for people's health and lives," Hieu said.

Through hospital rotations and encounters with patients facing difficult circumstances, he said he has become even more committed to compassion, responsibility and medical ethics.

Looking ahead

Hieu is currently preparing for Vietnam's highly competitive medical residency entrance examination.

If unsuccessful, he plans to complete clinical training at healthcare facilities before taking the national licensing examination required to practice medicine and eventually seek a position at a hospital.

He said he hopes to train at major hospitals where he can gain experience treating a wide range of patients, although he is also willing to work in his hometown.

A friendship that continues

Hieu and Nguyen Tat Minh remain close friends.

After graduating in Computer Science from Hanoi University of Science and Technology in 2025, Minh now works as a web programmer for a company in Thanh Hoa.

The two still visit each other's homes and regularly stay in touch, sharing updates about their lives.

Thanh Hung