Impressions of candidates from outside schools
At Match Day 2026 of Hanoi Medical University, Vu Thi Huyen Trang was named in 15th place and chose Obstetrics and Gynecology major.
Trang was born in 2001, from Dong Anh, Hanoi, and is a student at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Nguyen University.
In previous years, my school had a doctor who reached the top 49, and in the previous year there was a doctor who reached the top 27. This year, I am lucky to be in the top 15" - Trang shared.
Standing in the middle of the hall and receiving the encouragement of everyone, Trang said she felt proud of the school she used to attend, and considered the results achieved as a lucky thing.
The 2026 resident doctor exam of Hanoi Medical University has 1,114 registered candidates, from 18 training institutions in health sectors nationwide. Among these, 780 people reached the quality assurance threshold to participate in Match Day, while the total enrollment quota is 444.
According to the process announced by Hanoi Medical University, candidates are called by name in order of total scores from high to low. People with higher rankings are prioritized to choose their major first.
For Trang, being in 15th place not only helps her have the advantage of choosing her favorite major but is also the result of a long and stressful preparation process.
More than 10 hours of study per day and the "hot" choice of major
Trang started preparing for the resident doctor exam from the 5th year. The period she focused the most time and energy on was the second semester of the 6th year.
In the early days, female students still maintained about 8 hours of sleep per day. But as the exam approached, the rest time decreased to about 5-6 hours, while the study time in some days exceeded 10 hours.
“I don't have any special experience other than being diligent and having more luck,” Trang said.
The luck that the female doctor mentioned was not the random factors in the exam room, but the fact that she met people who were willing to support her in the learning process.
Friends often encouraged, reminded and urged Trang to study. Her family also respected her choice, did not require her to follow a specific major, but only instructed her to take care of her health during the exam preparation time.
Despite receiving the companionship of those around her, Trang admitted that the resident doctor exam still creates great pressure.
The recent exam preparation period can be called the most "huge" pressure exam in my life. I am very stressed, but I feel that my efforts will be rewarded adequately" - Trang shared.
The pressure comes first of all from the large amount of knowledge. Besides, being a candidate from a school outside Hanoi Medical University also made Trang feel less confident than the candidates studying here.
However, the female doctor affirmed that the exam was fair to all candidates.
Trang has never thought about giving up, even though there was a period of frequent insomnia and drowsiness. When there were only a few months left before the exam, she reminded herself that she had gone almost the whole way and needed to continue to try so that she would not regret it later.
Trang's review process is mainly based on self-study spirit. Her initial goal was not a specific ranking but simply trying her best to be able to pass the exam.
In the end, Trang ranked 15th and chose Obstetrics and Gynecology - a major she said she had loved before.
I really like children and I like Obstetrics the most, because this is a major that brings happiness to many families" - Trang said about her decision.
After Match Day, the female doctor has not set too far-fetched plans. Her immediate goal is to start three years of resident doctor training and try to study well in the chosen major.
