From a student at a specialized high school to the valedictorian of the Literature major: Every day is a better version of myself.

What's even more remarkable is that this achievement didn't come from a "prodigy" journey or spectacular leaps forward, but was built on perseverance in very ordinary things: reading another book, writing a better research paper, understanding a work more deeply, and constantly improving oneself.

Nguyen Duong Phuong Anh – a student from the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Born in 2005, Phuong Anh was a student in the High-Quality Class 1 at the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities. Throughout her time at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, she maintained excellent academic performance while actively participating in student union activities, serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Literature Faculty Student Union for the 2023-2025 term and as class president of the K68 Literature class. She received academic achievement scholarships and talent attraction scholarships for nine basic science majors over several semesters, along with numerous certificates of merit from the University and the Student Union.

Behind that impressive record lies an inspiring story of a female student's growth, nurtured within the very educational ecosystem of Vietnam National University, Hanoi – from the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Specialized High School for Social Sciences and Humanities - A foundation for a lasting journey.

When asked what aspects of her time at the High School for Social Sciences and Humanities served as the foundation for her achieving the top honors title, Phuong Anh didn't mention any special study methods or outstanding early achievements.

What I remember most is "a positive attitude towards learning".

During her time as a student at the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Phuong Anh participated in many student union activities.

"During my high school years, I wasn't a student who achieved success early on. It wasn't until my final year that I won an award in the National University of Hanoi's High School Literature Olympiad. There were many students around me who were more outstanding than me. But what's special is that I didn't feel the need to compete or be envious of them."

According to Phuong Anh, the environment of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities helped her realize that everyone has a different pace of growth. By no longer being overly concerned with comparing herself to others, she can focus on the most important goal: improving herself every day.

That same mindset continued to stay with me when I entered university.

Instead of aiming to be at the top of her class or achieve numerous accomplishments, Phuong Anh chose smaller goals: understanding a topic better, reading a new book, or writing a better research paper. Looking back on her three years of study, she believes that these seemingly small steps have accumulated into significant achievements.

What the top-scoring female student is most grateful for is not just the final result, but also the people who have always been with her on that journey. “What I am most proud of is that I didn't give up at any stage. And what I am most grateful for is always meeting people who are willing to believe in and support me: my family, teachers, and friends. I think no one can go a long way just through their own efforts.”

Phuong Anh represented the graduating class and delivered a speech at the 2026 graduation ceremony.

Perhaps what many people remember most about Nguyen Duong Phuong Anh is not only her valedictorian title, but also her emotional speech at the graduation ceremony of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Instead of talking about outstanding achievements or grand goals, the valedictorian chose to begin with the word "ordinary."

Phuong Anh shared that there was a time when she longed to be truly different, even determined to finish her university program a year early to make her youth more memorable. But the further she went on that journey, the more she realized she wasn't a "superhero," but just a young person who knew how to worry, how to feel pressure, and how to overcome challenges step by step through very simple things: studying little by little, completing small plans, and still making time for bubble tea and meals with friends.

"Young people today are living in an era where they are constantly urged to be different. But I believe that difference is created from the most ordinary things. Just by being better than ourselves each day, small steps will eventually lead us to our goal," Phuong Anh shared.

The moment the valedictorian expressed her gratitude to her parents and teachers, and reminded her fellow graduates to "not forget to thank yourselves," received a round of applause in the auditorium. This also reflects the spirit that has permeated Phuong Anh's journey: not chasing excellence, but steadily growing through gratitude, perseverance, and belief in the value of daily efforts.

Discipline to cultivate a love for literature

Many people believe that studying Literature is a journey of emotions, but becoming a valedictorian requires a great deal of discipline. Phuong Anh smiled when she heard that comment and said that she herself wasn't overly strict with herself.

There are still days when I want to sleep in, watch a movie longer than planned, or spend more time with friends. However, I always have a very personal "rule": "If I take two hours away from studying today to rest, I'll give back exactly two hours tomorrow."

According to the top-scoring student, discipline isn't about forcing yourself to work continuously, but about knowing when to return to fulfill the promises you've made to yourself.

My three years at university also helped me realize that studying Literature doesn't just happen in lecture halls or libraries.

Journeys, conversations, encounters with people, and even the most ordinary experiences of life become valuable material for understanding the work, understanding people, and understanding oneself.

"Emotions help me open myself up to learn from life, while discipline helps me transform those experiences into knowledge and personal skills."

In the context of artificial intelligence changing the way people learn and research, Phuong Anh said she also uses AI as a supporting tool. However, the important thing is not the use of AI, but how humans develop irreplaceable capabilities.

In my opinion, today's literature students need to know how to utilize technology but at the same time cultivate critical thinking, the ability to read deeply, write coherently, and especially the ability to understand people. "Because after all the technological changes, society is still built on very real relationships between people. Literature has long helped people listen, dialogue, and empathize. That is a value that is very difficult to replace."

University – An environment for learning and growing.

For many students who love literature, the biggest question is often not whether they like the field of study, but rather the career opportunities after graduation.

Phuong Anh, however, has a different perspective. She believes that university is not primarily a place to prepare for a specific career, but rather a place to cultivate one's level of awareness.

"Careers can change a lot throughout life. But what remains after your university years is not just professional knowledge, but also the way you think, the way you approach a problem, and the way you learn new things."

According to the top-scoring female student, studying Literature is not just about understanding literature, but also about learning how to interpret a phenomenon before hastily judging it, learning how to view a problem from multiple perspectives, learning how to analyze instead of just drawing conclusions, and learning how to listen to others.

It also serves as preparation, enabling each individual to adapt to various fields in the future.

The moment the top-scoring female student received her certificate of merit and diploma from the school's leadership marked the beginning of her journey to maturity.

Sending a message to students who love Literature but are still hesitant about entering university, Phuong Anh hopes that you will not let career worries overshadow your passion.

"If you truly love Literature, I hope you won't worry too much that your major will determine your entire future. The most valuable thing a university offers is perhaps not a profession, but the ability to continuously learn, adapt, and grow on any path you choose."

Valedictorian Nguyen Duong Phuong Anh always believes that you don't need to become an excellent version of yourself like others, but simply strive to become a better version of yourself every day.