Scoring 29.75 points in the 2026 National High School Graduation Examination, Nguyễn Ngọc Trân – the national runner-up in the A00 subject combination – became the incoming student with the highest examination score among those enrolling at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS). Behind this outstanding achievement lies a learning journey that has been far from rigid: Trân continued to make time for her personal life, studied with friends, took breaks when under pressure, and maintained a balanced approach. As she begins university, the Integrated Circuit Design student hopes to take on new challenges with an active mindset and a willingness to step beyond her comfort zone.

Achievement built on knowing when to study and when to enjoy life

When Nguyễn Ngọc Trân learnt that she had scored 29.75 points, her first reactions were surprise and joy. After sustained effort throughout her studies and examination preparation, the result gave her a sense that her hard work had been duly rewarded. The first person Trân shared the special moment with was her mother, who celebrated alongside her immediately after the results were announced.

With 29.75 points, Ngọc Trân became the incoming student with the highest score in the 2026 National High School Graduation Examination among those enrolling at VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS), excluding priority points, bonus points, and converted scores. The achievement also placed her second nationwide in the A00 subject combination. Looking back on the journey towards that result, however, Trân does not suggest that she was always confident or free from pressure. There were also moments when she felt uncertain and doubted her own abilities.

‘At times like those, I did not force myself to keep studying at all costs. I chose to stop for a while and give myself time to rest and regain a sense of calm. Then I gathered myself and returned to studying. I believe that taking a break at the right time does not mean giving up; rather, a break allows us to regain balance before continuing the journey ahead,’ Ngọc Trân said.

That relaxed approach to learning may partly reflect Ngọc Trân’s personality. During her upper-secondary school years, Trân described herself as quite lively, enjoying conversations and feeling at ease with friends. Yet that sociability did not interfere with her studies. Once lessons began, Trân became focused and serious, maintaining the discipline needed to accomplish the goals she had set. She describes her approach to life and learning as knowing when to enjoy herself and when to study: she could have fun and talk with friends outside class, but once she sat down to study, she gave her full attention to the task.

During the examination preparation period, Trân followed a relatively simple routine: mornings were devoted to classroom learning, while evenings were spent completing exercises, working through practice papers, and reviewing solutions. She did not impose overly rigid rules on study hours or workload, instead adjusting her routine according to how she felt. When focused and motivated, she studied; when tired, she rested, allowing her to remain comfortable and sustain a natural rhythm of learning. Among her most memorable experiences were the sessions spent staying behind after class to revise, solving problems with friends, and discussing different approaches to difficult mathematics questions. Studying in a group not only helped her retain knowledge for longer and remain motivated, but also made examination preparation less stressful through the companionship of friends.

Alongside her friends, Đặng Văn Nâu, her form teacher, had a significant influence on Trân during her final years at school. His dedication, practical guidance, and support helped her remain on the right path during this important period. Trân said she did not feel that achieving 29.75 points required her to sacrifice or miss out on other aspects of life, because she was able to balance her studies with her personal life. For Trân, the achievement emerged from a natural and comfortable learning process: remaining lively and enjoying time with friends while always knowing when to focus and take her goals seriously.

Choosing Integrated Circuit Design to take on new challenges

Following her outstanding result in the National High School Graduation Examination, Trân is beginning an entirely new journey in Integrated Circuit Design. Her decision was shaped by a recognition that the field is a strategic area aligned with future technological trends and offers considerable opportunities for development. Trân also considered the academic environment when making her choice. She chose VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) because of the University’s strengths in fundamental science. In Trân’s view, for a highly specialised engineering field such as Integrated Circuit Design, a strong foundation in fundamental science provides an important basis for students to progress further in their studies and professional development.

Even before officially becoming a university student, Trân had begun to envisage the type of work she might pursue in the future. In her view, integrated circuit design is a specialised field requiring meticulous attention, logical thinking, and a very high degree of precision. The work can involve a substantial workload and long periods at a computer. Rather than seeing those demands as obstacles, however, Trân is drawn to the challenges that define the field.

‘What makes me most curious is the challenge of integrating millions, or even billions, of components into an extremely small space while still ensuring the performance of an entire system. The problem requires both specialist knowledge and a high degree of precision and logical thinking. For me, having the opportunity to explore and gradually master such a complex problem is what makes me want to take on this field of study,’ Trân said.

As she enters university, Trân’s first goal is not only to continue performing well academically, but also to explore an entirely new environment proactively. She hopes to become familiar with university life, participate in activities and clubs to gain new experiences, and devote time to developing a deeper understanding of Integrated Circuit Design. After a relatively stable journey through upper-secondary education, university will offer Trân the opportunity to challenge herself in different areas, from academic study to activities beyond the classroom.

If she could send a message to her future self on graduation day, Trân would choose a short sentence that clearly reflects the mindset she hopes to carry throughout the years ahead: ‘Thank you for always trying your best over the years and for never being afraid to step outside your comfort zone.’

With 29.75 points and second place nationwide in the A00 subject combination, Nguyễn Ngọc Trân now stands at the beginning of a very different journey, where achievements at school represent only a starting point. Ahead lie advanced knowledge, challenging engineering problems, and an environment requiring greater independence and initiative. Having learnt to pause when under pressure and return when ready, to work alongside friends in search of solutions to difficult problems, and to pursue academic achievement without viewing success as a trade-off, Trân has identified what matters most for the journey ahead: continuing to make an effort, maintaining a balanced approach, and remaining willing to step beyond familiar boundaries.