Female student of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy brings special gift to celebrate father's death anniversary

(NLDO) - The day she received the scholarship was also the anniversary of her father's death. The female student from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy burst into tears, determined to fulfill her promise to her parents.

On September 14, Tran Do Thanh Thanh (born 2006), a student majoring in preventive medicine at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, was one of 15 university and college students receiving the 24th "Study-loving female student overcoming difficulties" scholarship, for the 2025-2026 school year, organized by Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper.

Standing at the side of the stage, the female student burst into tears because today was also her father’s death anniversary. She said she would bring a special gift home to show her mother, then place it on the altar as a gift for her father.

Despite her family's difficult circumstances, Tran Do Thanh Thanh has never been discouraged. Her biggest dream is to become a doctor.

The wet rice cake stall raised four sisters.

Thanh confided that her family has 4 siblings, Thanh is the second child. In 2022, Thanh's father passed away from cancer, the family's already difficult situation became even more difficult. All the family's finances fell on her mother's shoulders.

"Since my father passed away, I saw my mother become much more haggard. However, she always tried to encourage her sisters to study hard. Thanks to her wet rice cake business, my older sister was able to get into the Aviation Academy, I was able to get into the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, and my two younger siblings are in middle school. That is something very extraordinary about my mother," the girl choked up.

15 female students from universities and colleges in Ho Chi Minh City received the "Study-loving female students overcoming difficulties" scholarship, each scholarship worth 10 million VND.

Before her father passed away, Thanh confided in him whether or not she should study medicine, because the cost of studying medicine was quite high and it took a lot of time. However, it was her father who "fueled" her determination to pass the entrance exam to the most prestigious medical school in the country.

"If you try to study as hard as possible, your parents will also try to work and earn money to support you and your siblings to finish school" - the female student emotionally recalled her father's words.

In addition to studying, Thanh also works part-time at a convenience store and as a teaching assistant at a tutoring center.

Promise on the anniversary of my father's death

Thanh said that in the 2024-2025 school year, he was lucky to receive a scholarship to support new students from the school, thanks to which the tuition fee of about 50 million VND/year was reduced.

"I appreciate and am grateful for the help and support from the school, philanthropists and society over the years. This is also the motivation that helps me to be more responsible, determined to study well and have a stable job" - the female student affirmed.

Knowing the touching story, Ms. Ly Viet Trung, Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper, kindly visited and encouraged the female student, hoping that the scholarship would give her more motivation to be confident in her studies. The female student also promised to complete her studies well, then go to work, save money and continue her studies.

Ms. Ly Viet Trung, Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Women's Newspaper, encouraged female students.

"The female students receiving the scholarships all have good academic achievements, are in difficult circumstances or are orphaned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the program has awarded nearly 9,500 scholarships with a total value of nearly 15 billion VND," Ms. Ly Viet Trung added.

Choose social work to give back

Nguyen My Kieu Giang, a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-HCM), confided that her mother and grandmother passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Giang's father worked as a welder and single-handedly raised three school-age children. During the difficult period, Giang's family received support from local authorities and philanthropists.

With 12 years of excellent student record, Giang conquered the university door in social work. This is a rather difficult major, the salary after graduation will not be as high as other "hot" majors, but the female student is still determined to work in this field.

"I hope that in the future I can help many people, especially young people with difficult circumstances to excel in their studies. That is also my way of thanking those who have helped me over the past time" - Giang expressed.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/xuc-dong-nu-sinh-truong-dh-y-duoc-tp-hcm-mang-mon-qua-dac-biet-ve-gio-ba-196250914132225785.htm