In Ca Mau, where many roads are not yet fully developed, the sight of students traveling to school by boat has long been familiar. And from those boat trips, a student emerged who won second prize in the national history competition thanks to his passion for the subject.
These ferries carry the dreams of a student who loves history.
The story of Hong Phuc Khang, a 12th-grade student from Vien An High School, is being widely discussed as a significant milestone in education in the Ca Mau region. He is not only the only student from Ca Mau province to win second prize in the national history competition for gifted students (2025-2026 academic year), but also the first student from the Ca Mau region to achieve this feat.
Hong Phuc Khang is the first student from the Ca Mau Peninsula region to win second prize in the national history competition (academic year 2025-2026).
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTOR
Khang's family runs a small-scale aquaculture farm, and their life isn't well-off. To support the family and pay for his son's education, Khang's father has to take on many extra jobs. Perhaps this situation made him understand early on that education is the most important path to changing his future.
Khang's house is a few kilometers from the school, but road access is not yet available. Every day, Khang has to travel by ferry to school. On days when he has extra classes, his father drives him there and waits to pick him up afterward. These ferry trips across the river over many years have instilled in Khang perseverance and a strong will to overcome difficulties. "My parents are always by my side… so I am even more determined to study hard and not let them down," Khang shared.
Learn history through emotion instead of rote memorization.
In the minds of many students, history is often a subject full of facts, timelines, and can easily feel dry. But for Khang, this subject opens up a different world .
What makes Khang's story special is not only his national award but also his approach to history. Khang doesn't learn by rote memorization. He approaches history with emotion, with curiosity and a connection to his homeland and country.
Hong Phuc Khang was driven home by Principal Bui Phuc Xuan after school.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTOR
For this male student, each page of history is not just about events or numbers. It's also about images of different lands, stories of national heroes, customs, traditions, and the journey of the country's formation through various periods. "In each page of history, I feel like I see an image of my homeland and country," Khang said.
Perhaps it was this emotionally engaging approach to learning that made history more relatable to him. Instead of memorizing and then forgetting after the exam, Khang chose to understand the essence of the issues, connect events, and place himself within the flow of history.
Ms. Tran Kim Yen, a history teacher at Vien An High School and Khang's tutor, said that what impressed her most about her student was his proactive learning spirit. During class, Khang frequently asked questions, debated, and expanded on the topic. He always wanted to understand more deeply the causes, context, and significance of each historical event. "His genuine passion for the subject, along with his love for his homeland, is the key factor that helped Khang achieve this remarkable success," Ms. Yen said.
When AI, video, and games are all included in history lessons.
Another distinguishing aspect of Khang's learning journey is his use of technology to study history. In the digital age, this student from Ca Mau doesn't limit his learning to textbooks or classroom lectures. Faced with the vast amount of knowledge and many easily confused timelines in history, Khang chooses to systematize it using mind maps, linking events according to different periods to make it easier to remember.
Hong Phuc Khang poses for a photo with Ms. Tran Kim Yen and friends on the day of the awards ceremony.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTOR
Simultaneously, I leveraged online learning platforms to watch video lectures, find additional materials, and use AI to re-explain difficult concepts, ask further questions, or practice with exam questions. Furthermore, my learning was "softened" through various methods such as watching documentaries, creating video clips, playing history games, and participating in STEM classes.
Notably, Khang doesn't view technology as a substitute for learning, but rather as a way to become more proactive in accessing knowledge. "Thanks to technology, learning helps me understand things more deeply and remember them for longer," the student said.
However, in this age of AI and information overload, Khang also sets clear principles for himself, always verifying and cross-referencing information to avoid historical inaccuracies.
The first milestone of the school in the southernmost region of the country.
Khang's second-place national award in history is not only a personal joy but also a special milestone for Vien An High School. After 20 years of establishment, for a school in a remote area still facing many difficulties in terms of facilities and teaching conditions, this result is not just the achievement of one student but also a recognition of the persistent efforts of the entire teaching staff in this remote region.
Mr. Bui Phuc Xuan, Principal of Vien An High School, said that student Hong Phuc Khang's achievement is a source of pride and also a motivation for the school to continue improving the quality of teaching and learning in the future.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cau-hoc-tro-vung-dat-mui-dam-me-mon-lich-su-185260508081010161.htm
