Valedictorian Huynh Dieu Hang: Proud to be part of Van Lang University’s pioneering generation of Dentistry Graduates

On the afternoon of August 10, 2026, newly graduated Doctor Huynh Dieu Hang, Valedictorian of Class 26 in Dental Surgery, represented the graduating class to deliver a speech at the Commencement Ceremony. Looking back on her six-year journey of study and training at Van Lang University, Dieu Hang shared that the greatest takeaway was not merely professional expertise, but a sense of responsibility, meticulous care, and empathy as a medical practitioner.

Dear Leaders of Van Lang University, Lecturers, Dear Parents, and Fellow Graduates!

My name is Huynh Dieu Hang, a newly graduated Doctor of Dental Surgery from Class 26. It is a profound honor and an emotional moment for me to represent the graduating class and speak at this momentous commencement ceremony.

Dear Lecturers and Friends,

Throughout our training years at Van Lang, the greatest asset we acquired was not solely the massive volume of knowledge. The most invaluable lesson for healthcare students is the discipline of seriousness and precision in every minor detail.

In medicine, the foundational principle has always been: "First, do no harm." Negligence in sterilization protocols, a misdirected drill, or a hasty diagnosis - all come at the expense of patient safety and trust.

Beyond dentistry, I believe this standard forms the common heartbeat of all professions: whether sitting at a keyboard, working over blueprints, inside a laboratory, or beside a dental chair - loving your profession means never compromising on standards. That rigor reflects our self-respect and our most genuine commitment to life.

Yet, to uphold those standards, we needed a place to begin. And I am deeply grateful because we found it right here.

In my memory, Van Lang University was not flawless from the outset, just as none of us entered through its gates as fully accomplished individuals. However, the miracle lies in how our Lecturers consistently recognized our potential, even when we doubted ourselves.

Our Lecturers patiently created our space to experience, practice, and question. With every corrected assignment, every field trip, and every clinical case presentation, another invaluable lesson was learned. 

The Faculty of Dentistry also fostered an environment for students to practice empathy and community service. That led to the inception of the "Smile in Sign" project, which my peers and I were fortunate to launch. The initiative originated from practical concerns regarding communication barriers between dental professionals and hearing-impaired patients. Together, we learned sign language and designed specialized oral health education toolkits.

From field work within the community to presenting the project at the Southeast Asia Association for Dental Education (SEAADE) conference in Taiwan, where we were honored with an international award, it was a truly overwhelming journey. That experience demonstrated that when medical expertise merges with genuine empathy, Van Lang students possess the full capability to step onto the global stage and deliver real value to society.

Dear Fellow Graduates,

Together, we have overcome external pressures and skepticism, not to prove ourselves to anyone else, but to look back with pride at who we were yesterday and step forward with confidence toward tomorrow.

On our student IDs or graduation diplomas, only a single name is printed. Yet behind every graduate stands an unwavering foundation of support:

• The tireless devotion and hard work of our families;
• The mentorship, patience, and dedication of our professors;
• The continuous investment, trust, and opportunities provided by the university.

On behalf of the graduating class, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Van Lang University, the Faculty Board, and all our Lecturers for always believing in and nurturing the potential of every learner.

Thank you to the university staff, our classmates, and the junior students who have walked alongside us throughout this journey.

Most importantly, from the bottom of our hearts, the students of the Faculty of Dentistry express our deepest gratitude to all the patients throughout our clinical years, those who placed their complete trust and patience in us, granting us the opportunity to learn, practice, and become dedicated, compassionate doctors.

On this significant day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Parents. We are overjoyed to share this milestone of maturity with our families.

On a personal note, I express my profound gratitude for the guidance of my maternal grandfather, who is seated in the auditorium today. My grandfather has been an immense source of my inspiration to continue pursuing my studies, even after having earned a previous university degree. I will never forget what he told me during my freshman year: that he would do his best to live another six years just to see me graduate. I am deeply thankful that he remains in good health to witness this ceremony today.

In addition, I thank my grandmother for the warm meals waiting for me every time I returned home late, and my parents for their quiet sacrifices, because supporting a child through ten years of higher education is never an easy feat. Finally, I am grateful for the unconditional love of all the loved ones around me.

Dear Professors and Lecturers,

Six years ago, on this very stage at the Trinh Cong Son Auditorium, I had the honor of representing the freshmen of the Faculty of Dentistry to deliver a speech at the Opening Convocation.

Today, filled with gratitude and conviction, I wish to extend my best wishes to the very first generation of Doctor of Dental Surgery graduating from Van Lang University, as well as to all new graduates:

May every graduate step out into the world with a strong sense of responsibility, a compassionate heart, and unwavering resilience!

Thank you very much!

HUYNH DIEU HANG

Valedictorian of Class 26, Doctor of Dental Surgery