At just 24 years old, Trieu Phan The Phuong - an ethnic Dao student and graduate of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy - has already lived through the highs and lows of the medical profession.
At 24, Trieu Phan The Phuong, a member of the Dao ethnic group and now a trainee at FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, has already lived through a journey of intense highs and lows in his pursuit of medicine. Victory and disappointment seem to have traveled side by side in his story.
Phuong was once a star student in Grade 12 at Nguyen Du Specialized High School in Dak Lak, majoring in Biology. Seven years ago, he won second prize in the national biology competition and made it to the second round of selection for the international team. These achievements secured him direct admission to the General Medicine program at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy - one of the most prestigious degrees in Vietnam.
“When things got chaotic, my mother told me, ‘If you fail, come back home to me’”
Trieu Phan The Phuong was once a national biology champion and later graduated with distinction in General Medicine from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Photo: Provided by subject.
Over the last seven years, Phuong evolved from a national academic champion to graduating with distinction as a general physician. But when he tells his story, he doesn’t dwell on the triumphs.
Instead, he remembers the moments when he nearly gave up - the nights spent racing deadlines in coffee shops, the words of comfort from his mother, and the friendships that kept him afloat.
The first pillar that kept Phuong grounded was his family. During times when studying, part-time work, and extracurriculars overwhelmed him, his mother would say gently, “If you don’t succeed, just come back home to me.” Those simple words helped him keep going.
The second was friendship. Phuong had a close-knit group of friends from the provincial biology team, many of whom also pursued medicine. They studied, laughed, and even pulled all-nighters together in cafes. At university, he found new connections in his class group Y2019, Group 22, whom he describes as siblings - always supportive and uplifting.
Third, he credits his teachers - from high school to university - for igniting his passion and perseverance. Their knowledge and life lessons helped him see beyond the textbooks.
But most importantly, Phuong believes he was his own strongest motivator. Before entering medical school, he already knew the path would be tough. But nothing could have prepared him for the daily grind. When exhaustion hit, he reminded himself why he began. Volunteering and clinical practice also exposed him to stories of hardship, which deepened his sense of purpose.
“There wasn’t a single turning point - every day taught me a little more”
Phuong on graduation day from the General Medicine program at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Photo: Provided by subject.
Phuong holds many accolades: national biology competition winner, top scorer in the national biology student Olympiad, and multiple “Five-Good Student” awards. But he doesn’t see any of these as his moment of “growing up.” Rather, he views them as steady milestones.
When he left Dak Lak seven years ago for the bustling city life of Ho Chi Minh City, he carried big dreams. The pace of the city, combined with the intense curriculum, made even 24 hours feel too short. But through that pressure, he matured in unexpected ways - through difficult clinical cases, stern feedback from professors, and simply pushing past fatigue.
Four years ago, during the Covid-19 outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City, Phuong volunteered to join the frontline response. As part of the support team for patients and at-risk individuals in District 8, it was the first time he truly felt like a healthcare provider, contributing to public health.
“No sleep, heavy pressure - but I reminded myself why I chose this path”
By his sixth year, the coursework intensified - especially during internal medicine clinical training at Cho Ray Hospital, known for its complex cases, tough evaluations, and a high failure rate.
Some days, Phuong barely slept.
But he kept his eyes on the goal. He learned to manage time better, prioritize his health, and find the right study groups. Collaborating with peers helped solve problems more efficiently and kept him motivated.
The biggest lesson he’s learned?
Never stop learning.
“In medicine, things change by the day, even by the hour. If we don’t keep up, we’ll be left behind - especially now, with AI advancing so quickly,” he said.
A shining moment - and a painful fall
Phuong is currently a trainee at FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Provided by subject.
Looking back, Phuong identifies his “peak” as his first year of college, when he won the university-wide biology Olympiad and received the only Excellence Scholarship for his class.
But the hardest fall came just two months ago, when he missed out on securing a residency position in his dream specialty - by just 0.5 points.
There were many reasons, he admits. One was that he had a stronger inclination toward research, and in the later years, the program shifted more toward clinical training, where he struggled to adapt quickly.
“At first, I was devastated. But I got back up fast because I realized that life doesn’t stop for anyone,” he said.
Now training at FV Hospital, Phuong sees this as a valuable chance to work in a modern, internationally-standardized medical environment. The hospital’s support for young doctors motivates him to keep learning and growing, and to continue pursuing his passion.
Throughout his journey, Phuong has encountered countless stories of hardship - from patients and peers alike. As he prepares to step into his career, he doesn’t yet speak of “serving society” - that still feels too grand.
Instead, he simply vows to give his best, to honor the trust of his family, friends, and mentors.
“In an era where social media spreads misinformation about medicine and patients suffer because of it, I hope to be skilled enough to help - at the very least, to do no harm. And in the long run, I want to rebuild trust and spread accurate knowledge that improves community health,” Phuong shared.
Some of Trieu Phan The Phuong’s notable achievements:
2019: Second Prize in the National Biology Competition; selected for the international team selection round; direct admission to Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
2020: First Prize and top scorer in the national biology student Olympiad; “Five-Good Student” award from the Faculty of Medicine.
2021: “Five-Good Student” award from the Faculty of Medicine.
2022: Second Prize in the national biology student Olympiad.
2025: Graduated with Distinction in General Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
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