Valedictorian Nguyen Le Hien Mai causes a 'storm' on the internet: 'Don't compare yourself with anyone else'

Representing more than 3,000 new students speaking at the new school year welcome ceremony, valedictorian Hien Mai sent the message that each individual is a unique version, each worthy of a unique crown.

Hien Mai and 9 valedictorians of Foreign Trade University sent their thanks to parents and teachers - Video : NGUYEN BAO

On the morning of September 17, Foreign Trade University held a ceremony to welcome the new school year 2025 - 2026, welcoming more than 3,000 new students of the 64th course.

Notably, for the first time, the 10 national valedictorians and the entire school valedictorians stood on stage together, representing the new students and trainees, sharing their feelings, expectations and goals on the upcoming 4-year university journey.

Among them is the national valedictorian of group A00, Nguyen Le Hien Mai - who once caused a "storm" on the internet because she was both talented and beautiful, and is one of the 10 valedictorians of the Foreign Trade University. The female student studies the standard foreign economic program.

National valedictorian of group A00 Nguyen Le Hien Mai at the new school year welcome ceremony - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

Speaking at the ceremony, Hien Mai brought the message: "Don't compare yourself with anyone else. Be confident, steadfast, and steady, because each individual is a unique version of themselves, and deserves a unique crown."

After the high school graduation exam, Hien Mai was known as one of the 8 candidates who achieved the highest score in block A00. Hien Mai was also one of the 9 candidates who achieved a perfect score of 30 in this year's high school graduation exam.

Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , Hien Mai said that after her national valedictorian achievement, she suddenly became known to many people on social networks. This made her life change a bit, adding pressure due to expectations, but the female student did not worry too much, but focused on cultivating and developing herself.

"My future plans are to try to improve my knowledge, participate in many extracurricular activities, and contribute to society and my family. If I have the opportunity to study abroad in the future, I will also go," Hien Mai said.

The Principal of Foreign Trade University awarded a certificate of merit to the top student in the entrance exam - Photo: FTU

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thu Huong - Principal of Foreign Trade University - advised new students that entering the university environment is entering the journey of "learning to master" their own growth process.

At this time, new students will gradually define more clearly the "path" they truly want to choose, when they understand more clearly what their "dream" is and what they must do to achieve that dream.

"You should start your journey by practicing doing a "difficult task" every day because when we practice doing difficult tasks, we also train our own abilities and discover our own potential, and when you can find and promote the excellence within each individual," said Ms. Huong.

List of 10 top students in the 2025 entrance exam awarded by Foreign Trade University on the morning of September 17:

STT	Valedictorian	Field of study	Title
1	Nguyen Le Hien Mai	Foreign Economic Standards Program	- National valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam, group A00. - Total admission score 30/30.
2	Nguyen Dieu Linh	Foreign Economic Standards Program	National valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam, group A00. - Total admission score 30/30.
3	Dang Tung Son	High quality program in foreign economics	- The school's valedictorian uses high school learning results combined with international language certificates in 2025 - Total admission score 30/30. - Total high school graduation exam score: 30/30 (including priority admission points) - First prize in the national English competition for excellent students. - IELTS: 8.5.
4	Nguyen Xuan Duc	International Economic High Quality Program	- Top student of the whole school using the method of high school learning results in 2025 - Total admission score 30/30. - Total high school graduation exam score: 30/30 (including priority admission points). - Third prize in national math competition.
5	Nguyen Ngoc Anh	Advanced program in foreign economics	- The school's top student uses the results of the 2025 Competency Assessment. - Total admission score 30/30. - SAT: 1.590; IELTS: 8.0.
6	Vo Minh Hoa	Advanced program in foreign economics	- The school's valedictorian will use the results of the high school graduation exam combined with international language certificates in 2025. - Total admission score 29.5/30. - Co-valedictorian of the whole school in the A01 high school graduation exam. Total score of the high school graduation exam: 29/30. - IELTS: 8.0.
7	Huynh Thuy Du	International University Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (CSII)	- The school's valedictorian will use the results of the high school graduation exam combined with international language certificates in 2025. - Total admission score 29.5/30; IELTS: 8.0.
8	Nguyen Trung Thanh	Foreign Economic Cooperation Program (CSII)	- Valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam, subject group A01. - Total admission score 29/30.
9	Huynh Huy Cuong	Foreign Economic Cooperation Program (CSII)	- Valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam, subject group D07. - Total admission score 28.5/30; Top 3 nationwide of group D07.
10	Nguyen Van Khanh	CLC Business Chinese Program	- Valedictorian of the 2025 high school graduation exam, subject group D01. - Total admission score 28.25/30. - The candidate with the highest score nationwide in group D04.

NGUYEN BAO

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-khoa-gay-bao-mang-nguyen-le-hien-mai-dung-nen-so-sanh-minh-voi-bat-ky-ai-khac-20250917122642347.htm