After turning 70, Mr. Pham Ngoc Hong still headed to campus daily to pursue traditional medicine. Earlier, he had earned two bachelor’s degrees from two other universities after age 60.

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Pham Ngoc Hong at his graduation ceremony. Photo: Ngoc Trang

Pham Ngoc Hong, 75, originally from Phu Tho in what is now Vinh Phuc Province, has just received a Doctor of Traditional Medicine degree with high distinction from Hoa Binh University, graduating with a GPA of 3.28 on a 4.0 scale. Finishing university in his seventies, he says age is not a barrier to learning and striving.

To date, he holds three accredited university degrees, all in health sciences. At age 62, he earned his first degree in Nursing from Nam Dinh University of Nursing.

At 68, he gained a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Thanh Do University. This August, he completed a degree in Traditional Medicine at Hoa Binh University.

“With medicine, learning is never enough. Only by studying can we gain new knowledge and experience,” he says.

Pham Ngoc Hong now lives in Hanoi. His wife is a former physician at Military Hospital 109. In his youth, he longed to study medicine but his family was poor and could not afford higher education. He then enlisted in the army. After returning, even while struggling to make a living, he never lost sight of the importance of learning.

Having worked in traditional medicine for many years, he kept the dream from his youth alive. Near 60, he resolved to return to school.

“Medicine is special. We use our skills to hold back the hand of death and win life for our patients. Every time a patient recovers or improves, I feel happy and fulfilled. That is why I want to keep studying,” he says.

Medical study is demanding, but he notes that his prior coursework and practical experience made it manageable.

In a class full of younger students, he was appointed deputy monitor for academics. Over six years in medical school, he is proud that his attendance was the most consistent in class. He missed only one session due to an unavoidable personal matter.

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Pham Ngoc Hong receives his degree at age 75. Photo: Ngoc Trang

“Studying with young people, I find them cheerful, but some go to class only when they feel like it. In a critical field like medicine, missing one class can leave a big gap in knowledge.

I am older and my time is limited, so I must try my best while I can. I often tell the young that our generation had to try very hard to go to school. You are still young. If you do not study now, later you may no longer be able to,” he says.

What delights him most on campus is that some students who had considered quitting decided to keep going after seeing a classmate in his seventies show up diligently every day.

To keep up with medical knowledge, he has long maintained the habit of daily reading to consolidate and expand his learning. He reads at least 10 pages of professional material each day to avoid falling behind.

“A doctor must have knowledge and theory. Otherwise, you will not be respected in practice. To practice, you must be properly trained. Age is not a barrier in that process. It is only an excuse for not trying,” he says.

His family has always supported his academic journey. His spirit of lifelong learning has inspired younger generations. His daughter now holds four university degrees.

He currently runs a traditional medicine clinic in Hanoi. He has also served in many roles in the field, including head of the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Leaders Club from 2012 to 2014, chair of the Tay Ho District Traditional Medicine Association from 2010 to 2024, and he is now standing vice chair and secretary general of the Thang Long Hanoi Acupuncture Association.

After earning his Doctor of Traditional Medicine, he plans to study Law next and then pursue a doctorate.

Explaining his plan, he says the world needs physicians to heal and the legal profession to protect rights. “I chose these fields because they are necessary for life. Studying will help me handle work better and help more people,” he says.

Thuy Nga