Tran Xuan Dam - valedictorian whose father was a construction worker and whose mother was illiterate - was born into a family of four brothers. His parents worked hard all year round but always tried their best to give their children a good education. That helped Dam develop a spirit of self-study and determination to overcome his circumstances.

In the 2025 high school graduation exam, Dam excelled and became one of the two valedictorians nationwide, with a total score of 39/40 in 4 subjects. Of which, Math 10 points, Physics 10 points, Chemistry 9.75 points, Literature 9.25 points.

Sharing his secret to studying, Dam sums it up in two words: Discipline. Because according to Dam, discipline will help him walk in the most confident way.

Dam said that he doesn't go to extra classes so he always tries to study well in class. Because he is in the natural sciences, he invests more time in Math, Physics, and Chemistry.

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Tran Xuan Dam, national valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam.

Every day, Dam sets a goal of doing 2 Math, 2 Physics, and 2 Chemistry tests. When he completes his goal, he will rest and relax, not forcing himself too much. As for Literature, he spends less time.

“I mainly study Literature in class, and only spend 1-2 sessions at home each week to review. When I enter the exam room, I try to concentrate and do my best,” Dam shared.

This year's Literature exam with the theme "Every homeland's sky is the Fatherland's sky" is, according to Dam, an open, interesting and topical topic.

With love for his homeland and country, nurtured through his grandfather's stories from his military days, Dam put his most genuine emotions into his exam.

Dam confided that both his paternal and maternal grandfathers were veterans who had fought and died on fierce battlefields.

Dam never got to meet his maternal grandfather. Dam's paternal grandfather passed away last year.

When his grandfather was alive, Dam often heard him tell stories about the difficult days of resistance.

“My grandfather participated in many major campaigns such as the Route 9 - Southern Laos campaign, 81 days and nights defending Quang Tri citadel.

He told me about the cold nights he and his teammates slept in hammocks in the forest, about the severe dengue fevers he and his teammates experienced, and about the places he had traveled to.

Every road he passed, every forest, every stream… left him with very special emotions and he recorded them all in poetry. I still keep that book of his poems intact,” Dam said emotionally.

According to Dam, the stories his grandfather told were not only memories of war, but also vivid slices of courage, team spirit and love for homeland and country of a generation of soldiers.

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Although he didn't spend much time on Literature, Dam still achieved impressive scores.

It was his grandfather's simple stories that nurtured in Dam a love for his homeland and country from a very young age and grew over the years. Perhaps that's why he was able to write his Literature exam with all his true feelings.

After knowing his exam results, Dam told the good news to his parents and teachers, who have always accompanied and believed in him throughout his journey.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong Don, homeroom teacher of class 12A1, My Loc High School, shared that for her, Dam is a very special student. He is very hard-working, proactive, always has a clear study plan and once he sets a goal, he is determined to pursue it to the end.

Ms. Don added that becoming the valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam is the goal that Dam has cherished and strived for. Therefore, when she learned that her student achieved that result, she was very happy and proud, but not too surprised. Because it is a worthy achievement for a serious and responsible striving process.

Sharing about his future plans, Dam said he plans to study Control and Automation Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology to pursue his dream.

Due to difficult family circumstances, Dam struggled and made a specific plan to both pursue his passion and help his family.

“My family is not rich, but my dreams are high, so I have to try my best,” Dam said.

For Tran Xuan Dam, success is not a destination, but a journey. That is the guiding principle that motivates him to excel and become the national valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam.
The study secret of the female valedictorian of group A00 with 3 scores of 10, owning IELTS 8.0. The female student of Kim Son A High School ( Ninh Binh province) is the national valedictorian of group A00 with absolute score.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ky-uc-chien-tranh-cua-ong-noi-giup-thu-khoa-toan-quoc-ky-thi-2025-dat-9-mon-van-2423336.html