Orphaned female student becomes valedictorian in Yen Thanh, the 'rice-growing' hometown.

Dang Thi Thuong impresses those she meets with her innocent and intelligent face. Thuong is the youngest of two sisters in a family from the rice-growing village of Vien Thanh (Yen Thanh). Few know that Thuong and her sister experienced a childhood full of hardship, lacking a father's love. Their father tragically passed away while Thuong was still in her mother's womb, so she was born without ever having the chance to call him father.

To support her two children's education, Thuong's mother had no choice but to leave her two daughters with their paternal grandparents and go abroad to earn money to make ends meet. When Thuong was in 7th grade, her mother remarried, leaving the two orphaned daughters with their paternal grandparents. Having grown up without a father's love, and now without their mother's constant presence, Thuong and her sister were initially very upset. "But as I grew older, I understood why my mother had to do that, so I wished her well in finding a new support system in her life," Thuong said.

After their mother remarried, Thuong and her sister lived under the care of their paternal grandparents. Every month, their mother still sent them money for food and education. Because their grandparents were elderly and frail, Thuong and her sister often helped them with household chores outside of school hours.

At the end of 9th grade, Thuong's grandfather passed away. Thuong's older sister, after finishing 12th grade, went to Taiwan on a work-study program to support herself. Because her grandmother was old and frail (now 79 years old), Thuong's uncle took her in to care for her. In recent years, Thuong's mother unfortunately suffered from kidney failure and could no longer provide for her daughter. With Thuong's sister ill and her niece orphaned, her maternal aunt took Thuong in to raise her and continue her education.

Living up to her family's expectations, Dang Thi Thuong consistently achieved the title of excellent student for 12 consecutive years. She personally won an honorable mention in Mathematics in 9th grade and second prize in Geography at the provincial level for 12th grade. Thuong shared: "I don't prioritize studying to get into university. For me, my personal motivation to study well is seeing my mother's smile and happiness," Thuong revealed.

In the high school graduation exam, Dang Thi Thuong excelled with a score of 56.8 points (Mathematics: 8.80, English: 9.00, Literature: 9.50, History: 9.75, Geography: 10, Civic Education: 9.75), achieving the highest score in Yen Thanh district and ranking in the top 5 of the province in the Social Sciences subject combination.

Upon learning her exam results, Thuong said she wasn't entirely satisfied with some subjects, such as Math, where she made mistakes on two easy questions. Sharing her study secrets, Thuong said: “I study less, rest when I'm tired, and don't put too much pressure on myself, but whenever I do study, I do it seriously. I often create my own study schedule and plan. To gain more knowledge and before tackling difficult problems, I don't hesitate to ask my teachers and friends for help.”

Currently, while waiting to enroll, Thuong helps her aunt's family sell goods every day. Upon learning her exam results, Thuong stated that she will choose the Logistics major at Hanoi University of Industry. "People say I could have chosen a better university, but I still chose Hanoi University of Industry. I feel it doesn't matter which university I attend as long as I try my best to achieve the highest possible results," Dang Thi Thuong shared.

Speaking about her student, Ms. Phan Thi Thu Ha - homeroom teacher of class 12D1, Phan Thuc Truc High School, said: "Thuong is a very determined student with exceptional intelligence. Throughout her three years of high school, Thuong consistently led her class in academic achievement. Knowing her circumstances, the school has always provided support through scholarships to help students overcome difficulties. Her top score in the high school graduation exam is proof of her tireless efforts in her studies."

“Currently, Thuong is applying for the Vietseed scholarship, which is a scholarship specifically designed to provide financial support to new university students who lack the financial means to pursue their studies. We hope she will receive this scholarship to pursue her dreams at university,” added Ms. Phan Thi Thu Ha.