Vietnamese student admitted to China's top three universities after nearly being kicked out of Chinese class

Phuong, an 18-year-old Vietnamese student, secured admission to three of China's most prestigious universities - Tsinghua, Peking, and Fudan - after a near miss during her Chinese language class. These universities rank 12th, 13th, and 36th globally in the Times Higher Education's 2026 World University Rankings, respectively. Phuong began learning Chinese at age 6 upon her parents' encouragement, but she initially showed little interest.

It wasn't until her freshman year of high school that she decided to take the entrance exam for a specialized Chinese class, marking the beginning of her serious dedication to the language.

At first, Phuong struggled with reading, grammar, and pronunciation. Her Chinese teacher, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhan, eventually decided to give her a three-month trial to assess her progress. Phuong's mother supported her, sharing her concerns but never revealing them to her teacher or family. This allowed Phuong to maintain her confidence and make steady progress.

By the summer of 2023, she won a place in the Chinese stream at a selective high school in Hanoi, the Foreign Language Specialized School, scoring nearly 8.5 out of 10 in the specialized subject.

Phuong's academic success continued throughout her high school years. In grade 10, she aced the HSK 6, the highest level of the standard six-level Chinese proficiency test. In grade 12, she earned second prize in the national Chinese contest for gifted students. Her application essay to the universities highlighted her father's gemstone and feng shui business, which inspired her interest in business, economics, and finance.

To prepare for the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, a mandatory entrance exam for international applicants introduced in 2025, Phuong worked tirelessly. She had to balance her preparation for the national contest, end-of-term exams, and separate entrance exams at Tsinghua and Peking University. The Peking University interview took the form of a debate, requiring Phuong to defend her position while demonstrating her language skills.

Although she found this format challenging, Phuong's previous experience as a teaching assistant and Chinese tutor helped her maintain composure and deliver her answers effectively.

Phuong's success story is a testament to her unwavering determination and hard work. Her lecturers at Hanoi University and at the Foreign Language Specialized School praised her exceptional Chinese and mathematics skills. The toughest moments came during her preparation for the Tsinghua interview and the Peking University entrance exam, as she had to cover a vast amount of material. Phuong emphasized that attempting to achieve one's goals is crucial, as not trying at all would guarantee no results.