From the village bamboo hedge to the dream of studying in China.

" Finally, I've got my ticket to study abroad – something I've been striving for and aiming for throughout my time studying Chinese ," the girl born in 2002 shared.

Ngoc Quynh's love for China and desire to study abroad began during her high school years. Coming from a background as a literature-specialized student at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted ( Nghe An province ), and having won a provincial award for excellence in Literature, Quynh quickly developed a solid foundation in language and academic thinking.

However, studying abroad was still a distant dream for the girl who grew up " behind the bamboo hedges of her village ," as Quynh herself described.

The turning point came when Quynh chose to study Chinese Language at Hanoi University. Chinese not only opened up a new language, but also a "new horizon" with many opportunities and challenges. Throughout her four years of university, Quynh persistently pursued her goal of studying abroad by maintaining good academic results, actively participating in scientific research and extracurricular activities, and gradually completing her scholarship application.

Trinh Thi Ngoc Quynh has been awarded a full scholarship from the Chinese government for the year 2025.

Ngoc Quynh graduated with honors in Chinese Language from Hanoi University and was accepted into the Master's program in International Chinese Language Education at Nankai University - one of China's leading key universities - in September 2025.

According to Quynh, this year Nankai University only had three Vietnamese students selected for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) in this field, indicating the high level of competition for the program.

The journey of "polishing the gem"

Despite admitting that her grades weren't particularly outstanding compared to many of her classmates, Ngoc Quynh clearly excelled in research. During her studies, she contributed to five scientific research papers, including her master's thesis, which was entirely in Chinese, earning an A grade and was in the International Chinese Language Education major – a key requirement for the master's program.

Quynh currently holds HSK 6 and HSKK advanced level Chinese language certificates, and has also been awarded the titles of "Outstanding Student at the University Level" and "Outstanding Student at the Hanoi City Level" in 2024. These achievements reflect the academic competence, research capabilities, and progressive spirit of this Vietnamese girl.

Beyond her academic achievements, Ngoc Quynh has also made a significant mark in extracurricular activities. During the 2023-2024 academic year, she served as President of the Chinese Language Club at Hanoi University, directly organizing and coordinating numerous prestigious academic events such as "I Am a Public Speaker," "Chinese Language Talent," and the workshop "Chinese or 'Nan' Language." These activities connected a large number of students and young people interested in Chinese in Hanoi and the northern region, contributing to the spread of passion for the Chinese language and culture.

According to her teachers, Quynh is a dynamic student with a high sense of responsibility, actively supporting her friends and always proactive in her studies and extracurricular activities.

A highlight of Ngoc Quynh's application is her personal essay titled "Ngoc," inspired by her middle name. Quynh shared that at the age of six, she asked her parents to change her name from "Yen Quynh" to "Ngoc Quynh," as a way of choosing her own life path. In the essay, Quynh likened her learning and self-improvement process to the journey of "polishing a gem"—long, arduous, but necessary to shine.

Through her essay, Quynh demonstrated a clear study plan, a clear direction for scientific development, and an aspiration to become a "potential gem" in the field of International Chinese Language Education. Her reflective storytelling, combining personal experiences and academic goals, was considered a compelling factor in persuading the admissions committee.

The Chinese Government Scholarship that Ngoc Quynh received includes tuition fee waiver, dormitory accommodation, insurance, and a monthly living allowance of 3,000 RMB. In the future, she aims to successfully complete her master's program at Nankai University, further improve her Chinese language skills and professional competence, and gradually pursue her chosen educational path.

In a letter of recommendation sent to the Chinese partner university, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Trao – Rector of Hanoi University – assessed Ngoc Quynh as “an outstanding student with a progressive spirit and always striving in her studies,” and affirmed that she fully meets the requirements of the Master's program in International Chinese Language Education.

Family has also been an important source of emotional support for Quynh during difficult times, especially when she decided to temporarily stop her stable job to continue her scholarship application journey.

“ I only hope that you will maintain a progressive spirit, live kindly, and contribute many useful things to society, ” her father's message became the motivation for Quynh to remain steadfast in her choice. Ngoc Quynh enrolled in the International Chinese Language Education program at Nankai University in September 2025.

Quynh attended the Opening Ceremony at Nankai University, China, in September 2025.

Ngoc Quynh's journey shows that choices are not easy, but they are built on perseverance, a spirit of self-learning, and the belief that knowledge can take people very far. For a girl who once likened herself to a "gem that needs polishing," today's scholarship is not the destination, but the next step on the long academic path ahead.

After completing her master's program, Ngoc Quynh plans to return to Vietnam to continue pursuing work related to the Chinese language or become a Chinese language teacher.

"I hope to inspire and share my passion with young people who love Chinese culture, helping them to get closer to one of the most difficult but also fascinating languages in the world," Quynh said.

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