From chemistry enthusiast to anesthesiologist

There are decisions that change your life and there are decisions that come from the heart and thoughtful thinking. Resident Doctor Nguyen Dinh Hoang - VinUni University has made such decisions at important times with courage and determination.

Nguyen Dinh Hoang was a student majoring in Chemistry at Nguyen Tat Thanh High School for the Gifted, Lao Cai Province. In 2019, he was one of four contestants on the Vietnamese team participating in the 51st International Chemistry Olympiad in France. Competing with 300 contestants from 80 countries and territories, Hoang was honored to bring home a Silver Medal for the Fatherland. "That is truly a memorable milestone, a motivation for me to continue on the path ahead" - Hoang shared.

After that success, Hoang received many invitations and many scholarships, but the 18-year-old boy that year chose Hanoi Medical University. He decided to wear a white blouse when visiting his father who was being treated for cancer in Hanoi. Witnessing the doctors' dedication and devotion to taking care of patients, Hoang saw that medicine is a noble profession that can help many people. He believes that each medical field has its own characteristics and studying in the country will help him get acquainted with those characteristics and contribute more to the country's healthcare system.

Entering medical school, Hoang brought with him the passion and desire to become a doctor. Always aiming for “medicine associated with famous medical schools”, the student studied and worked part-time to earn money to study foreign languages ​​and improve his knowledge.

During his years at university, Hoang has won many more awards, such as: Second prize in the 2023 National Biochemistry Championship, First prize in the 2024 National Medical Academic Competition within the framework of the 8th National Medical Education Conference... After graduating from university, Hoang excellently defended his graduation thesis "Early restart of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in patients with large-vessel ischemic stroke after thrombolysis and opportunistic thrombectomy" in French.

The recent "Match Day" event, also known as the day of choosing a major for residency training at Hanoi Medical University, received special attention because the residents are called "the cream of the crop" - the best of the best. From more than 1,000 applications, 426 students passed the fierce competition to become residents in 2025.

Each major has a limited quota and will be “closed” when it is full. Therefore, even though students have high scores, they are not sure to choose the desired major because priority belongs to those who have higher scores in the “most difficult of the difficult exams” and can only take it once in their life.

Ranked 61st in this exam, Hoang had every opportunity to choose his desired major. However, having chosen a different path, this young doctor did not want to waste time or lose the opportunity of others. The moment when new doctor Nguyen Dinh Hoang refused to choose a major made the whole hall burst into cheers. Doctor Nguyen Dinh Hoang's "not choosing a major" became the highlight of this year's Match Day.

Hoang shared: "Many doctors are very good, very worthy to become residents. However, to become a good doctor, a great doctor, it is not necessary to become a resident. A good doctor is always dedicated, cares for patients, always promotes knowledge and seeks to improve knowledge no matter what the circumstances are." Hoang believes that he will become such a person, it is not necessary to follow the common path.

The path Hoang chose was to become a resident physician of the 6th course of VinUni University, specializing in anesthesia and resuscitation. However, no path is paved with roses. To become a resident physician of VinUni University, candidates must go through 3 rigorous selection rounds.

The application round will review transcripts, academic records, academic achievements, university faculty recommendations, and three essays in English. In round 2, candidates will have to take the IFOM®CSE multiple-choice test (a set of questions developed by the US Medical Examiner) similar to the US Medical License Exam (USMLE). This is a widely implemented exam worldwide that provides global medical knowledge standards applied by VinUni. In round 3, candidates will have a direct interview in English with program directors to help candidates demonstrate their suitability for the program they are applying for.

To prepare for the residency exam at VinUni, Hoang said he did not study intensively but focused on systematizing the knowledge he had accumulated over 6 years of university.

With his courage and clear strategy, Hoang achieved 86/100 points in the IFOM®CSE exam, ranking first in the IFOM exam at VinUni, equivalent to the top 4% of candidates taking the IFOM®CSE exam worldwide from 2020 - 2024 according to data from NBME.

Explaining why he chose the specialty of anesthesia and resuscitation, Hoang hopes that patients will be best prepared before performing procedures and will be cared for and supported to have a stable recovery.

Officially entering the real learning and working environment of a resident physician at VinUni University with a busy schedule of studying theory and working directly at major hospitals, Nguyen Dinh Hoang's journey is filled with passion, a desire to contribute and a spirit of always learning as well as knowledge, skills and medical ethics. In particular, on that journey, Hoang always has the encouragement and support of his loved ones.

"The family always trusts and supports all of Hoang's decisions" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong Huyen mentioned her son with proud eyes.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tu-dam-me-hoa-hoc-den-bac-si-gay-me-hoi-suc-post886067.html