Walking through every step of the university journey with their mother…

She prepared for the university entrance exam while pregnant, then six years later walked across the graduation stage with her two children to receive her medical degree. The journey of newly graduated physician Truong Le Minh Thu (Class K20, Phan Chau Trinh University) is an inspiring story of perseverance and determination.
 

It was not only a newly graduated doctor who walked onto the stage. Two little children followed their mother—one eight years old, the other six. She bent down, held their hands tightly, and smiled as they walked together toward the stage. It was more than the moment Thu officially became a physician after six years of dedicated study; it was the beautiful ending to a journey the three of them had shared together.

Preparing for the Entrance Exam While Pregnant

Few people know that when Minh Thu entered medical school at the age of 26, her second child was only two months old.

Her path to medicine was unlike that of many of her classmates. Before enrolling in medical school, she had studied health sciences and later pursued pharmacy. Marriage and motherhood soon followed, with two children born in succession. At times, she thought her dream of becoming a doctor would remain unfinished, yet she never stopped trying.

In 2020, Minh Thu decided to retake the university entrance examination. At that time, she was pregnant. Just two months after giving birth, she entered the examination room carrying all the hopes of a young mother. When later asked how she managed to study, she smiled gently and replied, “Whenever my baby slept, that was when I studied.”

The words sound simple, but behind them were countless sleepless nights. There was no quiet study room, no uninterrupted revision sessions like many other candidates enjoyed—only textbooks opened between a baby's cries, bedtime lullabies, and unfinished family meals.

Her determination paid off. She scored more than 25 points in the Mathematics–Chemistry–Biology combination, earning admission to Phan Chau Trinh University.

“At first, I was undecided between Phan Chau Trinh University and several other universities because I didn't know much about them. Eventually, I chose PCTU because of its excellent facilities, highly qualified lecturers, and its exclusive focus on health sciences,” Thu shared.

Six Years of Motherhood, Six Years of Becoming a Doctor

The six years she spent studying medicine were also six years of learning to balance two demanding roles: medical student and mother. During the day, she attended lectures and completed clinical training at hospitals. In the evenings, she devoted herself to caring for her young children. There were nights on hospital duty when she struggled to find someone to look after them.

“During that time, my lecturers were very supportive and allowed me to adjust my duty schedule. My classmates also helped by swapping shifts whenever I needed to stay home with my children. Their kindness is something I will always cherish,” she recalled.

Her second year of medical school was the most challenging. Academic pressure, financial concerns, family responsibilities, and raising young children all weighed heavily on her shoulders. There were moments when she seriously considered giving up because there simply was not enough time. But every time she looked at her children and remembered her dream, she found the strength to continue.

Throughout that journey, her greatest source of quiet support was her mother. She shouldered much of the family's living expenses and cared for the grandchildren so her daughter could focus on her studies.

Looking back on six years of medical school, Minh Thu remembers most vividly the long overnight hospital shifts and the three-week community placement in Nam Giang. Meeting people in remote mountainous communities with limited access to healthcare helped her realize that being a doctor is not only about treating illness but also about bringing knowledge, compassion, and hope to the community.

During her clinical training, she also encountered a critically ill patient at the Oncology Hospital for the first time. That experience made her realize she needed to study harder and become more competent so that one day she would be able to stand before her patients with both knowledge and responsibility.

Beyond the classroom and the hospital, Minh Thu found balance through running. What began as a way to lose weight and improve her health gradually became a source of emotional strength, helping her relieve stress, build resilience, and recharge after demanding days of study. To her, caring for others begins with learning to care for oneself.

Her Children Grew Up Alongside Their Mother's Dream

Two white school uniforms stood beside their mother's graduation gown. Three people, two generations, sharing one unforgettable moment. One day, when the children are older, they will understand that the graduation ceremony was not only the day their mother became a doctor—it was also a precious chapter of their own childhood, intertwined with her six-year journey through medical school.

The medical degree Truong Le Minh Thu received on graduation day represents far more than six years of medical education. It stands as a testament to the perseverance of a mother who raised her children while pursuing her lifelong dream. And perhaps throughout that journey, her two children were the greatest reason she never allowed herself to give up.

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