At the national competition for excellent students in the 2024-2025 academic year, Duong Ngoc Yen Nhi, an 11th-grade history majoring student at Ha Tinh High School for the Gifted, got a score of 16.75, becoming the only female student in Ha Tinh winning first prize in the national history competition.

Nhi's parents are factory workers in Dai Nai Ward in Ha Tinh City. Understanding her parents' hardships, Nhi has always made a lot of effort in her studies. 

Nhi was chosen for the team of competitors at the last minute, but she won the highest score to win first prize amid her teachers’ and friends’ surprise.

Nguyen Thi Vu Ngoc, Nhi’s teacher, said the student is well behaved and hard working, and studies well on her own.

The other students were all 12th graders in the provincial competition, so Nhi won third prize. Students must win first or second prize to be selected for the team to attend the national competition.

But sometines a single exam cannot fully assess a student's capabilities. Believing Nhi’s capability and that she has exceptional qualities in history, her teacher suggested that the provincial education department add Nhi to the team.

Nhi's efforts met the expectations and hopes of her teacher and school. At the exam, Nhi, a junior, competed against seniors, and "her exceptional performance in achieving first place made us very happy," said Ngoc.

Nhi said she has a special passion and love for history. The stories told by her grandparents about the nation's history awakened her respect for the country’s proud past.

"When I was young, sitting and listening to my grandparents' stories every evening made me proud and passionate about my homeland, sparking a thirst to explore and discover the historical treasures of the country and the world," Nhi said. 

“In 9th grade, I won third prize at the provincial contest for excellent students in history. This was a stepping stone for me to strive to secure a 'ticket' to study at the Ha Tinh High School for the Gifted."

Nhi said that she thought she would win second or third prize, and could not believe it when informed that she had won first prize.

Thien Luong