Valedictorian of Hanoi Medical University studies more than 13 hours/day

As the valedictorian of the residency exam, newly admitted doctor Vu Ngoc Duy had the privilege of being the first to choose a major. Before the dramatic turn, Ngoc Duy boldly chose obstetrics and gynecology amid applause and cheers from the entire hall.

Doctor Vu Ngoc Duy, valedictorian of the residency exam at Hanoi Medical University - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

New doctor Vu Ngoc Duy, 24 years old (from Phu Tho, former Vinh Phuc province) is a former student of Vinh Phuc High School for the Gifted. With second prize in the national math competition, Ngoc Duy was directly admitted to the medical school of Hanoi Medical University.

The most special residency exam ever

After 6 years of studying medicine at Hanoi Medical University, Ngoc Duy graduated with a medical doctor degree with honors, with an average score of 8.11/10. This school year, the entire school only has 46 out of more than 1,070 students graduating with honors, no one is excellent.

Besides, Ngoc Duy also won scholarships for 7/12 semesters from Hanoi Medical University.

After completing the program, Ngoc Duy immediately registered for the school's residency exam.

In the exam dubbed the "toughest" for medical students held in mid-August, Duy became the valedictorian of the exam with 25.09/30 points, topping the "competition" of nearly 1,000 candidates.

"The Hanoi Medical University's residency exam took place on August 16, and the results were released on August 27. At around 3 p.m., I was at home when I received a series of congratulatory messages from friends. I clicked on them to see that I was the valedictorian of the residency exam. My mother and I screamed with joy. My relatives also sent many congratulations," Ngoc Duy recounted.

On the afternoon of September 9, in the most anticipated registration section for the residency program, Vu Ngoc Duy was the first person from the medical field to have his name called.

During the 30 seconds of dramatic and suspenseful selection, Ngoc Duy loudly said: "Vu Ngoc Duy, number 01, chooses Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanoi Medical University". Behind the hall, the whole audience applauded and cheered, friends hugged the new doctor when he "finalized" the major.

Ngoc Duy said that at first he was hesitant between oncology and obstetrics and gynecology, but decided to choose obstetrics and gynecology because he felt he was suitable for this working environment since his clinical studies.

Ngoc Duy announced his choice of residency major at March Day, the afternoon of September 9 - Photo: HMU

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Tu - Rector of Hanoi Medical University - said that this year's residency exam of Hanoi Medical University has many special features. In particular, the total number of candidates taking the exam has never been as high as this year (nearly 1,000 candidates), while the quota for residency doctors is only over 400, the highest competition rate ever.

This year's exam is also the first batch of medical doctors of the school following the new program. It took 4 years of preparation, 6 years of implementation, a total of 10 years to complete the "backbone" program of the school.

"Because it is a new program, this year's residency exam is also completely new. The previous residency exam used the old question bank, but this year there are 2,000 completely new questions in all subjects, from basic to clinical. This year's exam most closely assesses the learning ability of new doctors," said Mr. Tu.

Review of the residency "just study and study"

Ngoc Duy said that the past 6 years of studying medicine were not too stressful, but it is important to start early from the 2nd and 3rd year, so that in the 6th year when facing a large amount of knowledge it will be easier.

From the second semester of his fifth year, Ngoc Duy officially focused on studying for his residency exam. He studied in the hospital in the morning, studied theory in the lecture hall in the afternoon, and studied at home in the evening.

The final years are spent reviewing for school subjects and aiming to study one subject a week for the residency exam.

The residency exam has 3 main exams with 8 subjects. The first exam is a basic comprehensive exam (combining many basic subjects), the second exam is a specialized exam 1 (internal medicine and pediatrics), the third exam is a specialized exam 2 (surgery and obstetrics).

Ngoc Duy believes that if he studies the basics, he will understand the clinical aspects, and the clinical aspects will find the basics meaningful. Therefore, from year 4 to year 6, the male doctor tried to combine both basic and clinical knowledge, so that when he reviewed it, it would be easier.

"During the residency preparation period, I just study and study. In the morning, I go to the lecture hall from 7am to 10:30pm, have lunch and dinner at school. Every day, I can study 13 hours in the lecture hall, then come home in the evening, shower and continue studying," Ngoc Duy recounted.

According to Ngoc Duy, becoming the valedictorian of the residency exam is a joy and a stroke of luck. In the next 3 years of study, Ngoc Duy will try to accumulate as much knowledge as possible, going through a journey that not everyone can reach the finish line.

Ngoc Duy and his classmates check in with the results of the residency exam - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

Inspired by my mother

Ngoc Duy said that he pursued medicine partly because of his family's influence, as his mother is an ophthalmologist and his brother is a nurse at the old district hospital. From there, he had many opportunities to learn about medicine and felt it was suitable for him.

"Because my mother opened a clinic, I had to put down my chopsticks while eating and go see a patient if they called in the middle of the night - those were my impressions of the profession since I was a child.

Looking at the work my mother does, I see the hardship and joy that the medical profession brings, different from other professions," Ngoc Duy said.

NGUYEN BAO

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-khoa-bac-si-noi-tru-y-ha-noi-hoc-hon-13-tieng-ngay-20250909164513234.htm