Male student who lost four family members in boat accident in Ha Long Bay receives scholarship.

After 49 days of being orphaned by the death of his parents and his sister in a boat accident in Ha Long Bay, Nguyen Huu Phuoc has been granted a full scholarship worth approximately 250 million VND to attend university.

49 days feels like a lifetime.

This morning, September 5th, 18-year-old Nguyen Huu Phuoc from Dai Thanh commune, Hanoi, attended the opening ceremony at the University of Transport Technology on Trieu Khuc Street, Hanoi, before rushing back home to Dai Thanh commune. There, a 49-day memorial service was being held for his four close relatives: his father, mother, older sister, and younger sister, who all perished in the boat accident in Ha Long on July 19th.

Nguyen Huu Phuoc, a male student who lost four family members in a boat accident in Ha Long, attended the opening ceremony of the new academic year at the University of Transport Technology.

PHOTO: QUY HIEN

Phuoc was also a victim of that boat accident. That day, his father decided to "reward" the whole family with a trip to Ha Long Bay after his son received his high school graduation exam results. It was the first time Phuoc's whole family had gone on a trip together. Then disaster struck unexpectedly. Before he could even celebrate his survival, Phuoc faced the cruel reality of losing all his closest relatives.

Phuoc said sadly, "My younger sister was supposed to attend the opening ceremony today. If she were still alive, she would be in third grade this year. There are three sisters in our family, but my eldest sister is working, so my younger sister and I are very close, even though she always bullies me. We have so many memories together, but I don't want to remember them, I just want to forget them."

Recalling the long and arduous 49 days that had just passed, Phuoc shared: "Initially, I was very depressed, but then I had to accept the reality. Luckily, I received care and encouragement from my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many other relatives, so I gradually calmed down. I've decided that now I must look ahead and strive for the future."

Phuoc was determined to go to university. His father was a driver, and his meager salary had to be used to pay for his mother's medical treatment (she had cancer). Therefore, even before the tragic boat accident, Phuoc had already planned to try to find a part-time job while studying at university to help ease his father's financial burden.

Now that he has to take care of everything himself, Phuoc doesn't know if he can handle it, but he tells himself to just try his best.

The doors of the lecture hall are wide open.

But fate didn't want to push Phuoc too hard. He was accepted into his dream major, Artificial Intelligence and Smart Transportation, at the University of Transport Technology.

On the morning of the opening ceremony (following the online opening ceremony), Phuoc was awarded a full scholarship by the school, estimated at approximately 250 million VND, including: full tuition waiver for the entire course (4.5 years); free dormitory accommodation; and a living allowance of 3 million VND per month.

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoang Long awarded a full scholarship worth 250 million VND to Nguyen Huu Phuoc.

PHOTO: VU TUNG

Phuoc shared: "I am truly grateful to the school. Now I don't have to worry so much about making a living and can focus on my studies. But I still want to work part-time, both to earn extra income and to develop my independence."

Initially, the University of Transport Technology was unaware of Phuoc's circumstances. However, during the enrollment confirmation period, Phuoc's family brought him to the Admissions Committee to explain his situation. After hearing the Admissions Committee's report, Rector Nguyen Hoang Long immediately decided to award Phuoc a full scholarship.

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoang Long said: "Hopefully, with this scholarship and the care and support of the teachers, professors, and fellow students, Phuoc will have a solid foundation to confidently move forward on his future path. We also hope that Phuoc will consider the University of Transport Technology as his second home. During his studies, the teachers and students will not only help him progress professionally but also encourage him to participate in activities, helping him to quickly overcome his grief."

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoang Long added that the scholarship fund of the University of Transport Technology this year has allocated approximately 1 billion VND to new students. Some scholarships are awarded to students with outstanding academic achievements, for example, the valedictorian receives 100 million VND, and the salutatorian receives 50 million VND.

But the school also allocates a large portion of its scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This year, in addition to Phuoc, the school has waived all tuition and dormitory fees for a student with polio (studying at the Vinh Phuc campus).

According to Associate Professor Nguyen Hoang Long, the school will continue to review the situation, and if any of the new students enrolling this year are found to be from disadvantaged backgrounds but are determined to overcome adversity, the school will provide support to motivate them to study well.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nam-sinh-mat-4-nguoi-than-trong-vu-lat-tau-o-ha-long-nhan-hoc-bong-185250905132242314.htm