Lê Minh Hiếu, a twelfth-grade student from Quỳnh Lưu 1 High School in Nghệ An, has made headlines by achieving a remarkable score of 29.75 in the A00 category of the 2026 National High School Graduation Exam. His stellar performance included perfect scores of 10 in Mathematics and Chemistry, along with a score of 9.75 in Physics.

On July 1, when the Ministry of Education and Training announced the exam results, Hiếu eagerly checked his score. The moment he saw the results, he was overwhelmed with joy and disbelief. "I was very surprised and happy because the results exceeded my expectations. I never expected to be the top student. I immediately called my parents to share the good news," Hiếu expressed.

Hiếu is the second child in a family that values education highly. His older brother is currently a final-year student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Throughout his twelve years of schooling, Hiếu has consistently been recognized as an outstanding student. At Quỳnh Lưu 1 High School, he served as the class study leader and was always among the top students.

Regarding the exam, Hiếu noted that the Physics questions this year were more challenging than in previous years, with a clear differentiation in difficulty. Most questions were based on fundamental knowledge, but a solid understanding was necessary to avoid losing points early on. Conversely, he found the Mathematics and Chemistry exams to be manageable, which gave him confidence in achieving high scores.

Hiếu shared his study habits, stating that he often studied until midnight. About a month before the exam, he focused on consolidating his knowledge, practicing past papers, and honing his test-taking skills. In the final week, he intentionally reduced his study intensity to relax and maintain a positive mindset. "I believe that my family is the best support system for relieving pressure and motivating me to strive harder," he said.

After the exam, Hiếu plans to apply to Hanoi University of Science and Technology to pursue a degree in engineering.

His homeroom teacher, Nguyễn Thị Tám, praised Hiếu's achievements as the result of persistent effort. "Hiếu has determination, sets high goals, and continuously pushes his limits," she remarked.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, Hiếu won two first prizes in provincial competitions for Mathematics and Physics. Besides his academic excellence, he actively participated in school activities and was inducted into the Communist Party of Vietnam on June 13.

Teacher Tám also highlighted that many students in class 12A1 achieved outstanding results. Alongside Hiếu, Phan Trung Long scored 29.25 points in the A00 category, with perfect scores in Mathematics and Chemistry and 9.25 in Physics. Long, who comes from a low-income background, has worked hard to achieve excellent results in the graduation exam.