Tran Anh Tuan, 24, a former Math-specialized student at Hung Yen High School for the Gifted, recently completed 6 years of studying Odonto-Stomatology at Hanoi Medical University with valedictorian honors.

Right before graduation, the male student prepared for a new journey after winning a Japanese Government scholarship to pursue a doctorate at Okayama University.

From a promise to his grandmother to the white coat

Tuan's decision to pursue medicine was driven by losses in his family. His paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather passed away early. Years later, his maternal grandmother also passed away when the promise "when I finish studying, I will treat your illness" had yet to come true.

Every time he witnessed relatives facing health issues while lacking sufficient knowledge to help, Tuan's desire to become a doctor became clearer.

In 2020, Tuan applied to Hanoi Medical University, but missed the admission cutoff for General Medicine and barely scraped into Odonto-Stomatology. Initially, Tuan repeatedly thought about retaking the exam. However, encouraged by his family, the male student decided to research the major thoroughly and increasingly realized that Odonto-Stomatology was not a "reluctant" choice.

During his early days on the medical campus, the male student could not avoid feeling overwhelmed. The volume of knowledge was so vast that during the very first lecture, the number of textbook pages to absorb equaled what Tuan used to learn across an entire year in high school.

Rather than giving up, the male student told himself "once chosen, I must pursue it to the end." Therefore, right from his freshman year, Tuan's goal was simple: Study exceptionally well to become a good doctor.

To achieve that goal, he adopted a highly disciplined study routine. Before each class, Tuan would check his timetable, make a list of the topics he needed to study, the materials he needed to read and the tasks he had to complete, then track his progress.

He maintained this routine consistently throughout all six years instead of waiting until exam periods to start reviewing.

During his studies, Tuan realized that Dentistry was not a field in which theoretical knowledge alone was enough.

With a talent for drawing, a habit of making handmade items and the ability to use both hands skillfully, Tuan believes these are advantages when entering clinical training. In Dentistry, many procedures require extremely high precision, sometimes down to a millimeter or even less. Doctors therefore need not only professional knowledge but also dexterity and careful attention.

Despite his manual advantage, the male student still devoted considerable time to practicing on models to sharpen his skills, aimed at delivering the best treatment for patients.

From lab to Japanese lecture halls

Alongside specialized studies, the male student began seeking out scientific research and extracurricular activities. Tuan once served as Head of the Odonto-Stomatology Student Club and Member of the Executive Committee of the Odonto-Stomatology Training Institute's Youth Union branch.

He authored 3 international papers and 4 domestic papers, presented at conferences in India, Singapore, and Malaysia, and won awards in several international competitions.

Rather than focusing on a single direction, Tuan proactively researched multiple aspects within the field of Odonto-Stomatology.

“I think that by exploring different fields, I can develop a more comprehensive perspective, which will in turn help me treat patients more effectively. Later, when I pursue advanced studies, I will choose a specialized field to focus my research on,” Tuan said.

Trips to scientific conferences in different countries also gave the student opportunities to engage with diverse cultures and academic environments.

That was among the reasons Tuan decided to pursue studying abroad. From his 4th year at university, the male student set out to seek overseas learning opportunities and built his application portfolio step by step.

After months of preparation, Tuan was accepted by Okayama University as a doctoral researcher and received a MEXT scholarship from the Japanese government.

At Okayama University, Tuan will pursue a PhD in regenerative science, specializing in implants and prosthodontics. He hopes that after four years of study and research, he will be able to hold a PhD at the age of 28.

“I hope that in the future, I can both provide good treatment for patients and share what I have learned, making a small contribution to the medical community in general and Dentistry in particular,” Tuan said.

Thuy Nga