Three hours waiting for my child outside the school gate.

On the morning of May 30th, as more than 1,700 students at various exam centers in Dong Anh commune took the Literature exam, many parents still lingered outside the school gates. Some sat under trees to avoid the sun, others constantly checked their watches, and some snatched a few hours of sleep after many nights of studying with their children. More than three hours of anxious waiting passed, culminating in bursts of joy when the students emerged from the exam room, shouting, "Mom, I did well on the exam!"

Three hours waiting outside the school gate felt like an entire day. Every passing minute was a moment of anxious anticipation for the parents. (Photo: MK)

The stone benches and the worries of 10th grade.

At over 6 a.m., Ms. Pham Thi Lien (from Thu Lam commune) brought her son, Pham Son, a 9th-grade student from Thu Lam Secondary School, to the exam site at Viet Hung Secondary School.

Ms. Lien and other parents wait for their children to finish their exams. Photo: MK

Despite constantly telling herself that her child had prepared thoroughly for this important exam, the mother couldn't hide her nervousness. The night before, Ms. Lien repeatedly checked her child's exam notification slip, citizen identification card, pens, and other necessary supplies. When her child walked through the school gate, she decided to stay and wait instead of returning home.

"Sitting here, I feel more at ease. Seeing other parents waiting for their children like me, I feel a sense of shared experience," said Ms. Lien.

At the examination centers located at Viet Hung Secondary School and Co Loa Secondary School, after the candidates entered the examination rooms, many parents still chose to stay under the trees, in the covered corridors, or in the exam support areas.

Some people brought plastic chairs from home. Others fanned themselves continuously in the sweltering summer heat. Many parents sat in small groups, initially strangers, but after a few conversations, they became close friends, sharing the same anxiety of waiting for their children to finish the exam.

A mother recounts her child's aspiration to attend a top-tier public school. A father shares how, for months, his entire family has altered their daily routines to support his child's exam preparation. These seemingly personal stories find common ground among people meeting for the first time.

Taking her child to the exam for the second time, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh (Dong Anh commune) still couldn't hide her nervousness. "I thought having experience would make me less anxious, but it wasn't. I kept checking the clock every few minutes. My child was taking the exam, but I was more anxious than her," she laughed.

Parents take a quick nap while waiting for their children. Photo: MK

Meanwhile, many parents snatched a few hours of sleep after long nights of studying with their children. Some reclined on park benches, others leaned against their motorbikes under the shade of trees. But as soon as the loudspeaker blared or there was any movement at the school gate, they would open their eyes and look inside with anxious anticipation.

Overwhelmed with joy after the final bell rang.

The waiting time seemed to drag on slower than usual. While his child was taking the exam, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (from Dong Anh commune) kept checking his phone to review his child's 9th-grade year-end report card.

"My child is doing quite well in Literature. Now I'm just reviewing it to encourage myself, because sitting here can't help my child anymore," Mr. Hung shared.

Mr. Hung took the opportunity to review his child's academic performance. Photo: MK

Not far away, Ms. Tran Thi Mai (from Dong Anh commune) still held a bottle of cool water and a carton of milk prepared for her child after the exam. "I haven't felt like eating or drinking anything since this morning. I just hope my child comes out of the exam room quickly," she shared.

At exactly 10:05 AM, the bell rang, signaling the end of the exam and indicating that the candidates had completed their Literature test. (Photo: MK)

At 10:05 AM, the bell rang, signaling the end of the Literature class. The atmosphere in front of the school gate immediately became lively. Parents sitting under trees, in cafes, or in resting areas all stood up. Hundreds of eyes turned towards the school gate.

Then the gates opened. A stream of students poured out, their laughter and chatter filling the air. People hurried through the crowd, searching for their loved ones.

As soon as she saw her mother, Nguyen Thi Hong Ngoc, a student at Thu Lam Secondary School (Thu Lam commune), immediately ran to hug her. "Mom, I finished my assignment!"

Hong Ngoc and her mother review the exam paper she completed: MK

That brief statement lifted all the tension that had weighed on Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Anh throughout the morning. The mother hugged her daughter tightly, constantly asking about her test results and health. "Sitting here was even more nerve-wracking than taking the exam itself. Just hearing her say she did well made me feel so much better," Ms. Van Anh shared emotionally.

In many other corners in front of the school gate, smiles also appeared after hours of waiting. Some immediately handed their children bottles of water. Some patted them on the shoulder to encourage them. Others simply looked at their children silently and smiled as if all their worries had just been lifted.

This afternoon, students will take their second exam session, the English subject. Photo: MK

Perhaps, during exam days, the school gate is not just a place to drop off and pick up students. It's also a special "emotional waiting room," where thousands of parents go through their own exam – an exam of love, expectations, and companionship.

And after more than three hours under the sun, the greatest reward for them is sometimes just a simple statement: "Mom, I finished my homework."

The 10th grade exam in Dong Anh commune: the numbers.

The entrance exam for 10th grade in public high schools for the 2026-2027 school year in Dong Anh commune has 1,792 registered candidates, who will be assigned to 3 examination locations at Viet Hung Secondary School, Ngo Quyen Secondary School, and Co Loa Secondary School, with a total of 76 official examination rooms and 6 reserve examination rooms.

During the Literature exam on the morning of May 30th, all examination centers operated safely, seriously, and in accordance with regulations. Three candidates were absent from the Viet Hung Secondary School examination center, one of whom was absent due to illness; the other two centers had no absent candidates. Security, order, traffic safety, and support for candidates were implemented comprehensively, contributing to the smooth running of the exam.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ba-tieng-cho-con-ngoai-cong-truong-976289.html