Choose your own path.
Nguyen Minh Tri's story began with a bold move. Tri had settled abroad at the age of 18 while his peers were settling down. However, this young man, born in 2006, decided to return to Vietnam and start over.
Tri confided: "After living and studying in Japan for a while, I realized that the environment and culture weren't suitable for my personal development, so I decided to return to my country."
Aware of my relatively late start, when researching schools and classes, my family and I proactively chose to enroll in the 9+ program at Ho Chi Minh City International College.
"I prefer the college program because it combines general education with vocational training. Upon graduation, I will have both a high school diploma and a vocational certificate, which will enhance my career development opportunities in a balanced and long-term way," Tri added.
However, the journey to integrate into the new school wasn't as simple as he imagined. Tri clearly remembers feeling awkward and struggling to make friends due to differences in study habits, but with the guidance and encouragement of the teachers, he gradually became more open.
Minh Tri added that because the class size is small, teachers always closely supervise students, observing their learning methods to identify each student's strengths and weaknesses. Thanks to this, he feels a responsibility to develop self-discipline and self-awareness, and to continuously strive for improvement in his studies.
In the 2026 High School Graduation Exam, Nguyen Minh Tri chose four subjects: Mathematics, Literature, Geography, and History. With impressive results: Mathematics 6.75; Literature 8, Geography 8, and especially History with a score of 9.5, Tri became the student with the highest graduation exam score at Ho Chi Minh City International College.
The male student honestly admitted that Math was his most worrying subject. Therefore, during his studies, Tri proactively mastered the fundamental knowledge to avoid losing points unnecessarily on basic questions and successfully maintained a safe score.
I found Geography difficult because of the broad exam content and the lack of atlas usage, so practicing with sample questions until I was proficient would help me utilize my knowledge more effectively when taking the exam.
For History – the subject in which he scored the highest – Tri's motivation came from his homeroom teacher, Cao Thi Hai. Throughout the three years of high school, she not only showed Minh Tri attentive care and support but also instilled in him a love and pride for national history through lively lessons and a scientific teaching method using mind maps.
"From then on, I memorized knowledge naturally, without pressure, and learned to think about problems in terms of historical events," Tri shared.
"Passing on the passion" through practical lessons.
Sharing his feelings upon learning his exam results, Tri confided: "At first, I felt very happy and surprised because all my hard work studying had paid off."
It is known that Nguyen Minh Tri studied and was very passionate about Hotel Management at Ho Chi Minh City International College. However, he revealed that he had no intention of studying this field initially, but during his studies and practical training at the school, and with the advice of his teachers, he realized that he had the aptitude and ability to thrive in a professional service environment.
"It was the opportunities to visit and intern at large businesses or hotels organized by the school, and to interact with senior professionals in the field, that strongly inspired me to be more determined in the field of Hotel Management," Tri excitedly recounted.
The school not only teaches academics but also proactively connects with reputable businesses, ensuring graduates have practical job opportunities. For Minh Tri and many other students, this is not only a "safe ticket" but also an affirmation of their abilities and an encouragement in the context of an increasingly competitive job market.
Looking back on his journey, Minh Tri proudly said: “With the achievements I have made, I hope to contribute to motivating each student to always strive their best towards their goals, confidently choosing to study at a college because the cultural and vocational curriculum will bring many experiences and practical benefits for their future career orientation.”
According to Ms. Huynh Thi Thu Tam, Vice Principal in charge of the High School Department at Ho Chi Minh City International College: With a strong academic foundation and early self-reliance skills, Tri proactively participated in MC activities and singing competitions at school from his first year. In subsequent years, he was encouraged by vocational teachers to participate in activities and competitions to improve his skills.
In 2026, Minh Tri excelled, winning second prize in the city-level excellent student competition in Literature. This result is well-deserved, reflecting the efforts and hard work of the students.
At Ho Chi Minh City International College, right from the moment students enter the school, we clearly guide them on their strengths, helping them build their own learning goals. At the same time, the school organizes and coordinates appropriate educational activities to foster class cohesion and cultivate collaborative and critical thinking skills.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/truong-nghe-khong-phai-lua-chon-cuoi-post783789.html
