Huỳnh Thị Ngọc Phương, a student from Ông Ích Khiêm High School in Da Nang, has made headlines by achieving top scores in both the C00 and C04 categories of the 2026 high school graduation exam. With a total score of 27.75 in the C00 category (including 9.25 in Literature, 8.75 in History, and 9.75 in Geography) and 27.5 in the C04 category (with 8.5 in Mathematics, 9.25 in Literature, and 9.75 in Geography), Phương has realized her long-held dream.

Upon receiving the news of her achievement, Phương shared an emotional moment with her mother, stating, "We hugged and cried. I am very grateful for the miracle that life has brought me." Although she felt a bit disappointed with her History score, the joy of being named a top scorer overshadowed any worries.

Coming from a family with four daughters, where her parents run a small business, Phương's passion for literature developed naturally during her middle school years, guided by her teachers. Participating in the school's literature competition team helped her hone her skills and build a solid foundation for her success.

Not only is Phương academically gifted, but she is also an active student who participates in extracurricular activities. She has won first place in the Elegant Student contest, earned the title of school beauty queen, and secured second place in the city-level literature competition in her senior year.

Phương's biggest dream is to become a police officer to serve the community. Her first choice is the People's Police Academy, but if she does not meet the requirements, she plans to attend the University of Da Nang's Pedagogical University.

This year's literature exam included a discussion question asking candidates to propose solutions for producing "Vietnamese Steve Jobs," which surprised many students. For Phương, this question allowed her to express her sincere thoughts. "When I read the prompt, I paused for a moment. I think I will become a useful person, contributing a small part to my country, but I never thought about becoming an icon like Steve Jobs," she reflected.

Instead of discussing grand concepts in her exam, Phương chose to start from small, relatable ideas. "I believe that young people need to change themselves first by reading more books, continuously learning, and developing their morals and character. Only by improving ourselves can we aim for bigger goals and use our abilities to contribute to the country. I believe that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," she expressed.

Phương's study strategy is not about late-night cramming but rather effective learning. She dedicates 2-3 hours daily to complete assignments, combining classroom learning with additional study. To maintain a relaxed spirit, she often listens to her favorite music and actively experiments with study methods like the Pomodoro technique and mind mapping to find what suits her best.

Her homeroom teacher, Đỗ Thị Diệu, described Phương as an all-around excellent student, good at communication, and actively participating in youth movements. For three consecutive years, Phương has been recognized as an outstanding student, not only in her favorite subjects but across all disciplines. Her achievement as a top scorer is a well-deserved result of her relentless efforts.