Pham Thi Hai Yen is a new graduate majoring in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU Hanoi). She recently became valedictorian of the first graduating class in 2026 at the university and graduated six months ahead of schedule.

At the graduation ceremony, Yen delivered a speech on behalf of her cohort. She shared that studying at university is never an easy journey. However, these challenges teach students that science does not tolerate carelessness; even a small error can lead to wrong conclusions, requiring honesty in research and persistence in pursuing problems to the end.

From self-doubt to determination

During high school, Yen excelled in biology. She won a prize in the provincial Science and Technology competition in Nghe An and was a member of her school’s biology competition team.

The turning point came when Yen failed to win a prize in the provincial biology exam for gifted students. Disappointed, Yen decided to switch to chemistry and gradually found her passion for this subject.

Realizing she was suited for a research environment, Yen decided to pursue Medicinal Chemistry at VNU Hanoi. Being admitted was one thing, but the early days were not easy for Yen.

Hai Yen said that theoretical subjects were "quite sublime," while general subjects like math, physics, or philosophy made her lose interest. 

Nevertheless, thanks to her efforts, in the first semester, Yen won an incentive scholarship for academic achievement. But complacency later caused Yen's grades to slide until the end of her second year.

Realizing the problem, she "redefined" her way of learning. Yen registered for more courses each semester, focused on listening to lectures in class to ensure no questions were left unanswered, and spent time reviewing lessons. This change helped her gradually regain her form.

Along with studying, Yen joined the laboratory of Vu Duy Tung, PhD, working on a project to make sensors from copper foam combined with silver and gold nanoparticles to quickly detect toxic substances in food and the environment. Working in the lab helped Yen learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and present scientific research.

Her mentor was responsible for orienting Yen toward postgraduate studies, and supported her in finding study-abroad opportunities. From the end of her third year, Yen began thinking about going abroad, targeting countries with research strengths like China, South Korea, and Japan.

Yen had the opportunity to participate in a two-week exchange program at Peking University. There, she listened to lectures from leading professors and visited modern laboratories in China. 

She was one of three students from the Faculty of Chemistry to go on an exchange at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). There, Yen participated in a small project in the lab under the guidance of PhD students.

“Working and interacting with seniors in an international research environment made me even more certain of my choice. These two trips not only expanded my mindset but also consolidated my determination to choose South Korea as the country to study abroad,” Yen said.

Winning scholarship before graduation

To prepare her application, besides maintaining academic performance, Yen focused on IELTS preparation. She did not need to submit an essay, as evaluation was mainly based on grades, research experience, and an interview.

Her interview took place at the end of January, with questions about her research process, future direction, and compatibility with the lab.

“At first I was nervous, but when talking about the experiments I had done, I became more confident. I saw it as a discussion between people sharing the same passion for science,” she said. She also studied the professor’s research and asked questions about aspects she did not fully understand.

As a result, in early February, Yen received news that she had won a combined master’s–PhD scholarship, covering full tuition and providing a monthly stipend of about 1.5 million won.

Yen believes her profile did not tell a perfect story from the beginning but rather a journey of transformation. “From a student who was once lazy and declined in the second year, receiving the scholarship is proof that as long as you are willing to change and persist, opportunities will come,” she said.

Le Huyen