From the dream of age 18
After two days of exams on June 11-12, more than 1.2 million candidates nationwide have completed the 2026 high school graduation exam - the largest exam ever.
4 exam subjects in 3 exam sessions, time passed very quickly, but the journey of preparing for that exam was not short at all. Doan Yen Nhi - a student at Chu Van An High School for the Gifted (Lang Son) recalled that in many days before the exam, she started her new day at 7 am. After a simple meal, she sat at the desk in a small room full of textbooks, notebooks and exam preparation plans. Nhi's study schedule was divided into clear sections: History and Geography review in the morning; Literature in the afternoon; Math in the evening.
Some days I study until 1 am because "night is quieter and easier to concentrate" - the female student expressed.
Yen Nhi is a student with outstanding achievements: Third prize in the national excellent student exam in Literature and qualified for direct university admission. But behind those certificates of merit is a family with many difficulties. Her mother is a teacher, had a kidney transplant and still has to take medicine every day; her father is a freelancer, and his health is unstable. In recent years, the family has devoted many resources to treating his mother's illness.
If I study well, I can receive a scholarship, saving some family expenses. That is also a motivation for me to try" - Yen Nhi said.
Her love for Literature and inspiration from her Literature teacher made Nhi choose the Literature Pedagogy major. She wants to become a teacher who knows how to listen and accompany students, especially those in difficult circumstances like the one she has experienced. During the exam preparation days, Nhi's mother does not create more pressure. She only reminds her to eat enough meals, rest at the right time and take care of her health. The glasses of water placed on the desk or the reminder "go to bed early, child" become a quiet but persistent companionship.
If Doan Yen Nhi strives to study to share the burden with her family, then in a place thousands of kilometers away, Pham Thanh Lan, a student of Lai Son Secondary and High School (Kien Hai special zone, An Giang), brings a different journey to this year's exam.
Her father passed away 3 years ago. Thanh Lan's mother works as a housekeeper with an income of about 3 million VND per month to support her children's education. Over the years, in addition to her mother's extravagance, Lan has also received support from schools, philanthropists and the "Children Raising Border Guard Stations" program.
12 consecutive years as a good student, Lan clearly understands the difficulties that her family has gone through so that she can continue to go to school.
To be present in this year's exam, Thanh Lan and 134 students from the Kien Hai special zone crossed the sea to the mainland to take the high school graduation exam. When the ship docked at Rach Gia port, they were supported by the police force to be transported to their accommodation and exam sites.
“I can continue studying, to be present today to participate in this exam is a difficult and challenging time. In addition to the family who have worked hard to raise me to study, there is also the support of many people. I am very grateful and will try to study and take the exam well so as not to disappoint everyone who has helped me” - Lan shared.
... to a lifelong desire to study
If 18-year-old male and female students like Yen Nhi and Thanh Lan came to the exam site with a desire for a bright future, then Mr. Nguyen Van Mao, 39 years old, from Nghe An, came to the exam site in a different mindset.
Mr. Mao graduated from Hanoi Architectural University, has participated in the high school graduation exam 18 times and has been admitted to many universities such as Vinh University, Hanoi Architectural University, University of Civil Engineering, University of Transport, Electricity University... And this year, he will still continue to take the exam.
For many people, the high school graduation exam is the door to enter university. For Mr. Mao, it is also a way to maintain his study habits, challenge himself and refresh himself.
Currently, Mr. Mao works in the field of art and bamboo flute business, regularly sharing about folk music and the spirit of learning on social networks. Before each exam, he systemizes basic knowledge and spends more than 3 hours rereading everything before the exam day.
Among millions of 18-year-old candidates, the appearance of a 39-year-old makes many people curious. But Mr. Mao's story is not to set a record. It reminds that learning is not limited by age or time.
What I am most proud of is not the number of times I have taken the exam, but the spirit of constantly learning. I don't want to lose basic knowledge. Studying is to not forget the old things" - Mr. Mao shared.
The 2026 high school graduation exam has closed, but for many candidates, this is only the starting point of a new journey. Behind more than 1.22 million registration numbers are different circumstances, choices and aspirations: Some people cherish the dream of changing their lives, some people persistently pursue their studies as an indispensable part of life.
As the education sector perceives, the high school graduation exam is not only a knowledge test, but also a milestone recognizing the maturity of students after 12 years of studying. And in that milestone, the aspirations of the age of 18, along with the belief in the value of learning, have met in one common point: The desire to move forward with their own efforts.
