Valedictorian of Class 27 in Business Administration: A turning point and the journey to rekindle passion at Van Lang University

On the morning of August 14, 2025, Van Lang University held the Commencement for new Master's and Bachelor's graduates in Business Administration and Accounting. During the solemn ceremony, Bachelor Trinh Minh Quan, Valedictorian of the Class of 27 in Business Administration, shared his courageous story of changing majors, rediscovering academic passion and growing into his best self at Van Lang University.

Dear Lecturers, Parents, and fellow new Masters and Bachelors,

My name is Trinh Minh Quan, Valedictorian of Class 27 in the Business Administration major.

I would like to dedicate this meaningful speech to sharing my personal journey at Van Lang University – the place that taught me invaluable lessons in maturity.

I was born in 2001 and raised in An Giang. Six years ago, like many of my peers, I entered university filled with excitement, freely choosing my school and major, though I was still uncertain about my strengths, passions, or long-term goals. I initially pursued a degree in Engineering. Though my academic performance was stable, the initial excitement began to fade. I spent a lot of time in reflection: “If I keep going like this, am I really becoming a better version of myself?”

Eventually, I decided to stop and make a bold move: changing to Business Administration and transferring to a new university. This wasn’t just an academic decision — it was a life-changing one. No longer a leap of faith like two years prior, this time I conducted thorough research and chose Van Lang University with conviction, where I rediscovered both confidence and academic joy.

At that turning point, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my parents. Although I knew you were worried, you never tried to stop me. Instead, you simply said: “We believe in you.”

I remember during our nightly phone calls, you never asked “What grades did you get?” but always “Did you get home from class early today? Have you eaten yet?”. Those simple questions made me realize that your greatest concern was my happiness and personal growth, not just academic performance. Your unwavering trust became my greatest emotional support throughout my journey at Van Lang University . Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always believing in me.

Starting anew at Van Lang University, I felt energetic every day, just as I had hoped: “Today’s me will be better than yesterday’s”. I promised myself to make the most of every opportunity the University offered; and truly, there were many.

I worked hard to maintain strong academic performance each semester and actively participated in activities held by my Faculty and the University. These persistent efforts brought me a priceless reward: being selected as a member of the Outstanding Student delegation to visit and study at the Hung Kings Temple in 2023. That journey was not only long in distance, but also deep in meaning of ancestral roots.

Amid the sacred Ancestral Land, we felt immense pride as students of a southern university honored to carry the name of Vietnam’s first national title. The University's anniversary, which coincides with the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, traditional cultural events, and the President’s frequent reminders of our generation’s responsibility to preserve national heritage — all of these shaped in us valuable lessons for our future paths: to honor the past so we can stride confidently toward the future. To me, this is a unique quality of Van Lang University students and one we are proud of.

A single step can start a journey, but it is the hands that hold tight together that take us far. At Van Lang University, I gained something priceless – friendships. A close-knit group of classmates who set clear academic goals, supported one another unconditionally, and never left anyone behind.

They were not just study partners, but shoulder lenders, a second family in a city far from home. Thanks to them, I learned that success doesn’t come solely from individual effort but also from the power of companionship, empathy, and trust.

I would like to thank Van Lang University for fostering an environment where every student is encouraged to make a meaningful impact, true to the spirit of Where Impact Matters. I may not be the best student, but I am proud that today’s Minh Quan is the best version of himself, mature and confident. That is the greatest gift Van Lang University has given me, and I treasure this four-year journey dearly.

On behalf of my fellow graduates, I sincerely thank our Lecturers, not only for imparting knowledge but for inspiring us to embrace change and dream big. You gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and try things I never imagined I could do.

Though my student journey concludes today, I don’t see this as a goodbye. My goal is to return to Van Lang University as a university lecturer, following in the footsteps of the Lecturers I deeply admire. When that day comes, I hope to share inspiring stories about Van Lang University with a new generation of students.

To all Van Lang University's new graduates, may we keep our enthusiasm and confidence, and create truly meaningful legacies on the journey ahead. 

TRINH MINH QUAN
Valedictorian of Class 27
Bachelor of Business Administration (Standard Program)