From an unexpected phone call from the Department of Academic Affairs to the joy of learning that she had become the 2026 Admissions Valedictorian of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Nguyen Tuong An received the achievement with surprise, pride, and humility. For Tuong An, the valedictorian title is not a destination but the starting point of a new journey – a journey of learning, gaining experience, and continuously developing herself at HUIT.

Nguyen Tuong An (center), the 2026 Admissions Valedictorian of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT)

Surprised by the Valedictorian Title

The moment Tuong An learned that she had become HUIT's 2026 Admissions Valedictorian came as quite a surprise. When she received a phone call from the Department of Academic Affairs informing her of the result, An said she was “very surprised and even somewhat doubtful of my own ability.” It was only after confirming the information that her emotions gradually turned into joy and pride. For An, this achievement was the result of persistent efforts throughout a long period of study, when every hour of learning and every day of effort was ultimately rewarded with a meaningful result.

What Tuong An remembers most after receiving the news was actually a very simple moment: calling her father to share the news. Her happiness grew even greater when she saw how delighted he was and how he immediately shared the good news with relatives and neighbors. “I was happy, but I also felt a little embarrassed,” An shared. Behind the valedictorian title, therefore, lies not only a personal achievement but also the joy and pride of her family – the people who have always accompanied An throughout her learning journey.

To achieve a high result in the admissions process, Tuong An said that she did not choose to cram during the final stage but instead tried to maintain a steady study routine. According to An, the important thing is to firmly grasp the basic knowledge and theories of each subject, then combine this with practice tests to assess one's ability to apply what has been learned. Rather than focusing on the number of practice tests, however, An pays particular attention to reviewing and correcting mistakes. After each practice session, she spends time reviewing questions she answered incorrectly, identifying the reasons for the mistakes, and trying not to repeat them.

Nguyen Tuong An, the 2026 Admissions Valedictorian, sharing her thoughts at the Opening Ceremony

In addition, An often sets short-term goals to motivate herself. Achievable goals make studying more concrete and provide additional motivation for her to maintain focus. She also consciously limits the number of practice tests because, in her view, doing too many without taking time to review and retain what she has learned can easily lead to a situation where “you do a lot but retain very little.” For Tuong An, effective learning is not about studying as much as possible, but about understanding, remembering, and gradually improving areas where she can do better.

Choosing HUIT, Choosing a Journey of Growth

As she begins her university journey, Tuong An has chosen to study Food Technology at HUIT. This decision was made after considering both her personal suitability for the field and the practical values offered by the University. According to An, HUIT's long-standing experience in education and training, training quality aligned with business needs, as well as opportunities for hands-on practice, internships, and business engagement were important factors that gave her confidence in choosing HUIT.

For Tuong An, a suitable academic program should not stop at providing specialized knowledge but should also create opportunities for students to gain practical experience and develop essential skills. Therefore, she also hopes that HUIT's dynamic learning environment will provide her with more opportunities to learn, participate in activities, and develop herself throughout her university years.

For Tuong An, a suitable academic program should not only provide specialized knowledge but also create opportunities for students to gain practical experience and develop essential skills

In the journey ahead, Tuong An aims to develop comprehensively in both specialized knowledge and soft skills. In terms of academic expertise, she hopes to build a solid knowledge foundation that she can apply in practice. At the same time, she wants to improve her communication, presentation, teamwork, and time-management skills. These are considered essential skills for a student not only to perform well academically but also to proactively adapt to the working environment after graduation.

For Tuong An, university is not simply a period for accumulating knowledge but also a journey of personal growth. Every activity, experience, and challenge on campus can become an opportunity to better understand herself and prepare more effectively for the future.

The Valedictorian Title Is a Starting Point

Becoming the Admissions Valedictorian has also made Tuong An face a very real pressure: will she be able to maintain good academic performance throughout her university years? However, rather than allowing the title to become a burden, An chooses to view it as a source of motivation. She believes that focusing too much on having to remain at the top could easily create pressure and cause her to forget that the most important things are learning, gaining experience, and developing herself.

“I may not be able to stay at the top, but I will try to become better than the person I was yesterday”. Tuong An shared. For her, the valedictorian title is not something that will define her throughout her university years. Instead, it is simply a milestone recognizing her past efforts and motivating her to pursue new goals.

Tuong An also shared this perspective with students who are preparing for university admissions. According to her, everyone has their own strengths, so no one needs to follow someone else's path. “Everyone has their own strengths; no one is the same as anyone else, and no one has to follow someone else's path,” An shared. What matters is that each student listens to themselves, identifies what they truly enjoy, and carefully considers their abilities and suitability before making a choice.

From an unexpected phone call to becoming HUIT's 2026 Admissions Valedictorian, Nguyen Tuong An's journey began with persistent effort and continues with a simple goal: to become a better version of herself every day. Ahead lies a university journey filled with opportunities and challenges. And if the valedictorian title is a beautiful mark at the starting point, the journey ahead will be where Tuong An continues to write her own story at HUIT.

 TT TS & TT