Sending my faith in my child's footsteps.

The mild weather of a summer morning seems to alleviate some of the anxiety and nervousness of students and their families before the exam, which is considered a significant milestone in their school life.

From early morning, at the exam site at Quy Chau High School, hundreds of parents brought their children to school. Some took the opportunity to give their children a few words of advice before the exam, while others silently watched their children disappear behind the school gate. Every glance, every encouraging pat on the shoulder, was filled with so much love and hope.

This year, Quỳ Châu High School has 589 candidates taking the exam. To ensure the exam is conducted seriously and safely, security guards and volunteer youth union members were stationed at the school gate to guide and remind candidates to comply with regulations, especially regarding not bringing documents, phones, or high-tech devices into the examination room.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, Head of the examination center at Quy Chau High School, preparations had been meticulously carried out many days in advance.

“We have instructed invigilators to intensify inspections and prevent the introduction of high-tech devices into the examination rooms from an early stage. Security personnel have also been instructed to perform their duties seriously and promptly remind those who violate the regulations to ensure the exam takes place safely and in accordance with the rules,” Mr. Cuong shared.

For students in mountainous regions, the high school graduation exam is not simply a test of knowledge. It is also an opportunity for them to open new doors to the future, a journey to realize dreams that have been nurtured for many years in remote villages.

At the exam center at Que Phong High School, many candidates are children from the communes of Tri Le, Nhon Mai, Thong Thu, Tien Phong, and Muong Quang. To attend high school, many students have to live in boarding schools or rent accommodation far from home. Some students only get to visit their families for weeks, even months. Therefore, during the high school graduation exam, not all candidates have their parents by their side to encourage them.

Nevertheless, behind every student is the watchful eye and unwavering belief of their family from the remote villages and border regions. Short phone calls before the exam, simple words of encouragement from parents, become a great source of motivation, giving the students the confidence to enter the examination room.

Xong Va Po, a candidate taking the exam at Que Phong High School, said that her parents couldn't accompany her because of the long distances and difficult travel conditions.

"My parents couldn't come to see me. I just hope to do well on the exam so I don't disappoint my family and teachers," Pó shared.

Those simple words reflect the shared sentiments of many students in mountainous regions during this year's exam. Behind each paper are the months of hard work by their parents in the fields, the careful saving of every penny so their children can continue their education. For these students, the exam results are not only the culmination of 12 years of studying but also a gift to their loved ones who have always sacrificed and placed their complete trust in them.

While at the Que Phong High School exam center, many candidates quietly entered the exam room without family members by their side, at the Quy Chau High School exam center, a large number of parents lingered after their children had gone into the exam rooms. Some sought shade under trees to wait, others walked around the schoolyard, their eyes constantly fixed on the rows of exam rooms. The atmosphere was somewhat quiet, but filled with a wealth of emotions.

From the communes of Huu Khuong, Chau Binh, and many remote villages, many parents traveled dozens of kilometers to bring their children to the exam sites. Some had to wake up at 3-4 am to prepare food, while others took time off from farming to accompany their children during these important exam days.

For them, being present at the school gate doesn't necessarily help their children do better on exams, but it's a way for them to feel the encouragement and support of their family.

Despite being 63 years old this year, Mr. Vi Quang Phuong, from Le village, Quy Chau commune, still personally brought his grandson to the exam. He said that he doesn't know much about different professions or universities, but he always hopes his grandson will get a good education.

"My grandson should try his best to study as much as he can. I just hope he stays calm, does well on his exams, and later has a stable career and a less difficult life than his grandparents and parents," Mr. Phuong said.

Not far away, Mr. Ha Van Duc from Ke Can village, Chau Binh commune, was also waiting for his son to finish the first exam. This is his second son participating in the high school graduation exam. "The family doesn't expect anything extravagant, we just hope our son achieves good results so he can continue his studies, have opportunities to develop himself and build a better life," Mr. Duc shared.

Among the crowds waiting for their children outside the school gate, many parents were experiencing the nervousness of exam season for the first time. Mr. Cao Van Le from Hoa Hai hamlet said that this year was the first time his eldest son was taking the high school graduation exam.

The father couldn't hide his anxiety, but also his confidence, when talking about his son's dream. "He's liked the transportation industry for a long time. The family has always respected his choice. We just hope he does well on his exams so he has the opportunity to study the field he loves," Mr. Le confided.

For Ms. Lang Thi Dan, the greatest joy is seeing her daughter persistently pursue her passion for sports. She hopes her daughter will do well in the exam so she can continue her studies at the Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports. "Whatever field she likes, she should try her best to pursue it. As parents, we only want our children to study, grow up, and live a useful life," Ms. Dan said.

A noticeable trend this exam season is the shift in mindset among many parents. While in the past many families placed great emphasis on grades or school placements, now many choose to support, listen to, and respect their children's decisions.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ha from Chau Binh commune shared: “Parents are always worried. But we put our faith in our children. Whatever field they want to study is their right to choose, as long as they try their best and become useful members of society.”

These simple words reveal that parental love lies not only in expectations of achievement, but also in the desire for their children to live their passions and choose a path that suits their abilities and dreams.

The high school graduation exams will conclude in a few days. The papers will be graded, and the doors to university will open or close for each student. But one thing remains unchanged: the love and support of family.