A multi-talented female student from the High School for Social Sciences and Humanities conquers a prestigious scholarship in Hong Kong.

"I always set a goal for myself to improve every day."

Nguyen Mai Khanh Chi (born in 2007, Hanoi) is a student at the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

In March of this year, Khanh Chi outstandingly won a 100% scholarship from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) worth 2.6 billion VND. According to the QS Ranking 2025, HKU is the top public university in Hong Kong, ranked second in Asia, and among the top 17 universities in the world.

Khanh Chi excellently won a 100% scholarship from the University of Hong Kong (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

Not only did Khanh Chi receive a 100% scholarship from HKU, but she also received a 100% scholarship worth 2.5 billion VND from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, along with HK$50,000 (equivalent to over 170 million VND), and a scholarship from VinUni University.

In addition, Khanh Chi was also accepted early into the University of Sydney, Monash University, and the University of Queensland (Australia).

After careful consideration of several prestigious options, Chi decided to study Global Studies, part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Hong Kong.

While most Vietnamese students choose to study in the US or Europe, Khanh Chi chose Hong Kong, a relatively new destination for many. "Initially, I didn't have much information about the area. However, thanks to a recommendation from an older student, I started to learn more about Hong Kong universities."

After researching, I realized this place is the most suitable destination for my abilities, family circumstances, and academic aspirations," Chi said.
 

Khanh Chi received the "Outstanding Student" award at the city level for the 2022-2023 school year (Photo: Provided by the interviewee).

Although she hasn't officially started her journey in Hong Kong yet, Khanh Chi believes that it will be a dynamic and open learning environment, a place where the best of Eastern and Western cultures intersect, providing her with the opportunity to develop comprehensively in both knowledge and life experience.

From her early years in high school, Khanh Chi had set her sights on studying abroad as a path she would persistently pursue. With a clear direction, she developed a study plan for each year.

"In 10th grade, I started participating in extracurricular activities and the gifted student team. In 11th grade, I focused on developing those activities and completing the necessary certifications. 12th grade was the time I dedicated to perfecting my essay and systematizing all the achievements and activities accumulated from the previous two years," Chi shared.

Starting with a grand goal, Chi broke down the plan into specific tasks, choosing activities that aligned with her interests and personal aspirations. Thanks to her early and consistent preparation, her application stood out not only academically but also for the depth of her thorough research into her dream school.

Khánh Chi shared that the essay writing process was far from smooth, and there were even times when she felt confused and helpless. "As a literature major with a fairly strong English foundation, I thought that writing essays wouldn't be too difficult, especially with a clear direction. However, the reality was completely different."

"There were many times I had to rewrite my essays from scratch after receiving feedback from seniors. There were times when I felt really discouraged," Chi confided.

Besides the difficulties in writing the essay, Chi's family's limited financial resources also made her hesitate about whether to continue pursuing her dream of studying abroad. After all, not every scholarship is enough to cover all tuition fees. Despite this, she remained determined.

"I think that once you've started something, you shouldn't give up halfway through, because that would mean being irresponsible towards yourself and your future," Khanh Chi shared.

During the final stretch, time management became a significant challenge for Khanh Chi. "In the early years of high school, I still managed to maintain a balance between studying, extracurricular activities, and rest."

"But as I entered my final two years, the pressure started to increase significantly. I always set goals for myself to improve every day. This perfectionism sometimes led me to sleep only 2-3 hours a day," Chi said.

Besides her studies, Chi proactively expanded her activities into the arts and international exchanges. This diverse combination not only helped her gain more experience but also contributed to building the image of a well-rounded, dynamic candidate ready to conquer challenges.

Even a 0.01% chance is still worth a try.

Chi's inspiration comes not only from books, but also from the people around her. In her specialized school environment, she has the opportunity to interact and learn from senior students with many outstanding achievements.

Besides,sportThis also served as a powerful catalyst for Chi. One of the most deeply inspiring moments was watching a video shared by Dominik Szoboszlai, who rose from Hungary to conquer European football and wear the Liverpool shirt at the age of 23.

That journey made Chi see herself in it, a young person striving every day to step out into the world in her own way.

People often describe Khanh Chi as an independent, confident girl who dares to think outside the box and always takes responsibility for her choices. However, hidden behind that strong exterior, she still carries silent fears within her.

Besides participating in activities at her own school, Chi is also the head of the Literature in Thoughts Club at the High School for Gifted Students affiliated with the University of Education (Photo: Provided by the interviewee).

"I was always worried that I wouldn't be able to do it, afraid the results wouldn't meet my expectations. To overcome that feeling, I often watched Formula 1 races, where drivers had to take risks and overcome their fears to reach glory. I thought, I can do that too," Chi shared.

For Chi, if you don't dare to act because of fear, the probability of success is 0%. But if you have enough courage to try, even if the chance is only 0.01%, she believes it's still worth it. She learned to listen to herself to become more cautious but not let fear control her actions. "I always remind myself to live each day to the fullest. Thanks to that, the feeling of anxiety gradually fades away," Chi confided.

Despite failing to pass the selection process for the gifted literature team in 8th grade, Khanh Chi persevered in pursuing her passion. Thanks to a letter she wrote to her teacher, in which she expressed her desire to learn and improve further, Chi was given the opportunity to join the group and continue to hone her skills.

By the 9th grade, Chi was officially selected for the team, winning second place at the district level and advancing to the city-level competition. "I understand that with enough perseverance, miracles can happen. But I also realize that you should never be complacent, because luck doesn't always knock twice," Chi shared.

That remarkable "comeback" achievement served as a reminder for Chi to constantly strive for improvement. "Since then, I've always tried to ensure that every achievement I attain is a well-deserved result, not just a stroke of luck," she confided.
 

Khanh Chi at the "Outstanding Student" award ceremony of Hanoi National University (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

From "music, chess, calligraphy, and painting" to a journey of discovering the value of giving.

Chi not only excels academically but also possesses a diverse range of talents. She is proficient in piano and calligraphy, holds a Grade 8 certificate from Trinity College London, and has a strong foundation in chess and martial arts. These skills not only boost her confidence but also cultivate calmness and the ability to handle situations with composure.

In her 11th grade year, Khanh Chi realized that academic achievement was no longer the most important thing. When she helped the daughter of her neighbor's housekeeper prepare for the entrance exam to a specialized literature program, she clearly felt the joy of sharing. "She passed the exam with high marks. The mother and daughter came to thank me with simple gifts, but it was one of the most touching moments for me," Chi recalled.

Similarly, when tutoring online for children at the SOS Children's Village in Quy Nhon, even though the students weren't outstanding, each word of thanks and New Year's greeting from the children and mothers in the village was a precious spiritual gift to her.
 

Khanh Chi and her family at the graduation ceremony (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)

Those experiences helped Chi realize that achievements or money are not as important as the joy of sharing and helping others. From then on, she appreciated even more the things she already had, from her educational opportunities to her living environment.

At the same time, Chi also began to harbor a desire to become part of non-governmental organizations to contribute more to underprivileged children.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu, Principal of the High School for Gifted Students in Social Sciences and Humanities, commented: "Khanh Chi is a student who has particularly impressed me. She is intelligent, dynamic, responsible, and always takes the lead in class and school activities."

As a former history teacher, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu highly praised Khanh Chi for her independent thinking and clear, effective learning methods.

According to the teacher, even though Chi is a literature major, she still demonstrates profound reasoning abilities and the ability to connect historical events with reality. This shows her outstanding academic, research, and independent thinking skills.

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