Ahead of the 2025 graduation ceremony for students in the advanced, high-quality, POHE and Business Analytics full-time undergraduate programs at National Economics University (NEU), this year’s outstanding valedictorian is attracting particular attention with an unusual and inspiring name: Nguyen Hoang Anh Mai Sao, the outstanding valedictorian of her cohort with a GPA of 3.99/4.

The young woman from High-Quality Auditing Class 63A impresses not only with her nearly perfect grades, but also with the breadth, perseverance and depth that have characterized her four-year university journey. With an outstanding academic record, numerous awards and scholarships, and achievements in many intellectual competitions, Mai Sao exemplifies a modern generation of NEU students: professionally competent, socially responsible and confident in engaging with the wider world.

The upcoming graduation ceremony is not only an important milestone for Mai Sao personally, but also an opportunity for the University to honor hard work, share inspiration and recognize the growth of talented students in their pursuit of knowledge.

New valedictorian Nguyen Hoang Anh Mai Sao

A former student in the mathematics specialized class at Bac Giang High School for the Gifted, the young woman from High-Quality Auditing Class 63A is graduating after four years with an outstanding GPA of 3.99/4, as valedictorian at NEU’s upcoming graduation ceremonies on July 21 and 25. Nguyen Hoang Anh Mai Sao also stands out for an impressive series of achievements, including academic merit scholarships in all seven semesters; a Top 50 placement in the NEU Party Organization’s “Fifth Political Essay Competition on Protecting the Party’s Ideological Foundation in Hanoi, 2025”; a bronze medal in algebra at the 2024 National Student Olympiad; first prize in algebra at the 2024 NEU Mathematics Olympiad; a Top 5 placement in the 2023 Student Leader Competition; the “Student of Five Merits” title; and participation in many other activities and competitions.

Mai Sao said: “I truly feel joyful, happy and grateful. I know this is not just my own achievement, but also the result of the support and encouragement of my family, teachers and friends throughout the past four years. There were times when I felt exhausted and wanted to give up, but my loved ones and my belief in myself helped me persevere to the end.

To me, being named valedictorian is not just an achievement, but a beautiful milestone in my youth, reminding me of my tireless efforts and giving me more motivation to embark on the next stage of my journey with greater confidence and kindness.”

Sharing her approach to achieving strong academic results, Mai Sao said she always tries to do the simplest things well, such as listening attentively in class, taking thorough notes and never hesitating to ask friends or teachers when she does not understand something. For her, perseverance and initiative matter most. Every subject presents its own challenges, but Mai Sao believes that with sufficient dedication and effort, results will follow naturally. Maintaining a steady approach to learning, without putting too much pressure on herself or becoming complacent, helped her achieve these results.

Whenever she feels pressured, discouraged or unable to absorb what she is studying, Mai Sao often treats herself to a favorite dish to lift her spirits or sits down to write out why she needs to keep trying. “I always remind myself that my goal is not just good grades, but also scholarships to help ease some of the costs for my parents, and that I must live up to my family’s love and trust.

A Valedictorian With a Memorable Name!

An introvert, Mai Sao is somewhat reserved around strangers. Once she gets to know someone, however, she always leaves them feeling optimistic, cheerful and full of energy.

Speaking cheerfully about her unusually long name, Mai Sao said: “When people first meet me, what probably strikes them most is my name: Nguyen Hoang Anh Mai Sao. It sounds a little long, but it is a very special name to me.

I once asked my father why he gave me such a long and unusual name, and he told me a story—I am still not sure whether it was true or he was just joking. Nguyen Hoang combines my father’s and mother’s family names to symbolize the loving bond in our family. The day I was born, it was very rainy and windy. On his way to bring things to my mother at the hospital, my father suddenly looked up and saw a star shining amid the storm. At that moment, he thought of me—a small but warm ray of light in the gray weather—and that was how the name ‘Anh Mai Sao’ came about.

Ever since then, I have always felt that my name is a gentle reminder: whatever life brings, try to be a positive light, gentle and resilient through gloomy days.”

Beyond her name, throughout Mai Sao’s journey of learning and growth, her family has always been her strongest source of support, giving her love, motivation and confidence.

“My father is a quiet man who is not good at expressing his feelings, but he always watches over me quietly and does everything he can so I can focus on my studies without worry. To me, my mother is the most wonderful person in the world. Although she is getting older, she still works hard every day, in sunshine or rain, hoping only to give me the best possible conditions for learning. She always gives me the best of everything, sometimes even forgetting to take care of herself.

Then there is my older brother, who shows his care in the most direct and personal way. Every time I go to Hanoi to study, he sets aside money from his savings to give me, asks about every little thing and offers all kinds of advice. He may not use flowery words, but the way he cares for me always makes me feel warm and protected.

My family is my greatest source of support and the reason I keep trying—to live in a way that is truly worthy of their love and sacrifices and meets their expectations,” Mai Sao confided.

Discussing her choice of major and career, Mai Sao said she chose auditing rather spontaneously, because it sounded so “impressive.” Only when she began studying and gaining experience did she truly understand that independent auditing is not simply about checking accounting records, but about expressing an opinion on whether financial statements give a true and fair view.

In her third year at university, Mai Sao became an intern at an auditing firm. Practical experience in a professional environment helped her better understand the pressures, responsibilities and value of the auditing profession. From then on, she resolved to work even harder to develop her knowledge, skills and professional resilience, preparing thoroughly for the journey ahead after graduation.

“My upcoming plan is to do my job well at Deloitte Vietnam, gradually becoming a professionally competent auditor while always upholding integrity in my work,” Mai Sao said.

Commenting on Mai Sao, Dr. Vu Van Ngoc, Dean of the Institute of Advanced, High-Quality and POHE Programs at NEU, said: “Mai Sao is an exemplary student who brings together professional competence, critical thinking, political resolve and a commitment to serving the community.

Beyond her academic work, she stands out for achievements across many areas: from a bronze medal at the National Student Mathematics Olympiad and first prize at the University Mathematics Olympiad to University-level scientific research awards in two consecutive years. She also earned the University-level Student of Five Merits title for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024). I am particularly impressed that Mai Sao reached the Top 50 in the 2025 political essay competition on protecting the Party’s ideological foundation. This shows that she is not only professionally competent but also politically and ideologically steadfast—an essential quality for today’s young intellectuals.

With her discipline, tireless effort and dedication to everything she does, Mai Sao exemplifies a student of the High-Quality academic program, which emphasizes integration and social responsibility. I am confident that she will continue to shine in her career ahead and contribute positively to the development of the auditing profession and the national economy.”

Article and photos: Dan Viet Newspaper and Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.