2 excellent students in the same class in Ho Chi Minh City win first prize in the national exam

One class has two first prizes

The 2025-2026 national excellent student selection exam marked a special milestone for Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted when 4 students won first prize in English, coming from 2 classes, each class has 2 students.

In which, Nguyen Tuan Phong and Tran Gia Vy, students of 12th grade CA1, are one of two pairs of students in the same class, with the same English team, who both won first prizes at this year's exam.

This achievement is not only the pride of the students themselves but also reflects the effectiveness of the school's key student fostering work.

For Nguyen Tuan Phong, this year's First Prize is a milestone marking the end of many years of attachment to the English team. Previously, Phong won the Second Prize in 10th grade and the First Prize in 11th grade.

The award is a recognition for the long-term effort, not only of me personally but also of the teachers and the team," Tuan Phong shared.

Meanwhile, Tran Gia Vy entered this year's exam with the mindset of someone who used to be in the highest position. This is the second consecutive year Vy has won the First Prize. If last year was a bursting emotion, this year, joy came more gently.

I am satisfied because I have maintained my form. This is my final year, so completing the goal makes me feel very fulfilled," Gia Vy said.

Although both students achieved high results, both students said that after leaving the exam room, they did not dare to be absolutely sure about the results, because they always saw points that could be done better. This view helps them maintain humility and long-term learning motivation.

Although continuously achieving high results in exams, few people know that even from the early years of high school, both Phong and Vy had no clear direction to participate in the national excellent student exam.

Being discovered by teachers and selected into the team initially brought a lot of confusion, even pressure. Phong said that the early stage of reviewing was the most difficult time because he had not determined the appropriate learning method. "You have to do many tests, make many mistakes, then you will gradually understand what you need to improve," Tuan Phong said.

For Gia Vy, the biggest challenge came at the beginning of 12th grade, when the motivation to "win prizes" was no longer big enough. "I have to find a new goal for myself, which is to overcome myself from last year," Vy shared.

When friends and teachers create motivation together

As classmates for many years, Nguyen Tuan Phong and Tran Gia Vy are not only teammates in the team but also a source of motivation for each other. Both admit that studying together, practicing together and seeing the progress of friends makes them not allow themselves to be negligent.

Both friends and motivation for everyone to try harder," Gia Vy said.

Tuan Phong also believes that a friendly learning environment, without negative competition, has helped them best develop their abilities.

Both students emphasized the important role of the teaching staff and the school. Not only providing professional support, teachers also pay attention to psychology and reduce the pressure of achievement for students.

If we encounter difficulties in subjects in class, the school and subject teachers will provide timely support. That helps us feel secure in focusing on the team," Tuan Phong said.

For Gia Vy, three years of attachment to the team is a memorable time, because the teacher-student relationship does not only stop at teaching and learning but also understanding and companionship.

Besides knowledge, Tuan Phong and Gia Vy both believe that exam psychology is a key factor. Before the exam day, students actively reduce their intensity of study, spend time resting, and maintain a stable spirit.

Breathing exercises, sitting still, and focusing on breathing rhythms are considered effective ways to help students enter the exam room in the best condition.