Võ Minh Anh, a Grade 11 student at Hung Vuong High School for the Gifted in Gia Lai, is among the province’s standout achievers in the 2026 competition. His success reflects years of perseverance under challenging family circumstances, having been raised primarily by his grandmother.
For many years, residents along Huynh Thuc Khang Street in Dien Hong Ward have been familiar with the image of an elderly woman cycling slowly uphill, carrying both her grandson and sacks of recyclable materials. That boy, once seated on the back of the bicycle, is now a top-performing student.
Minh Anh’s grandmother, Truong Thi Trang, 77, has borne the burden of raising him alone after a series of family tragedies. Two of her sons died young, while Minh Anh’s father works far from home with unstable income. His mother left when he was just over a year old, leaving the elderly couple to provide for him.
To support the household, Trang collects scrap materials daily, ensuring her grandson can continue his education. Throughout his childhood, Minh Anh accompanied her, often helping gather discarded cans and bottles on the way home from school.
Despite the hardship, Minh Anh has never felt ashamed of his background. Instead, he expresses pride and gratitude toward his grandparents, who have supported his education despite their limited means.
“I feel more love for my grandmother when I see her waiting for me at the school gate”, he said. “I’m proud of them”.
Their home reflects their modest circumstances, with the yard filled with recyclable materials and household items largely repurposed. Yet from this environment, Minh Anh secured admission to the school’s specialised mathematics class before excelling in Physics competitions.
His gold medal is the result not only of academic ability but also of sustained effort and resilience. Along the way, he has received support from teachers, local organisations and benefactors, who provided scholarships, a bicycle and study materials.
Ngo Van Hoa, head of a local “Teachers and Students” guitar club that has supported the family, described Minh Anh as an exceptional case. He noted that the student’s determination and lack of self-consciousness about his circumstances set him apart.
Today, the old bicycle remains outside the family home, a reminder of years of struggle. While his grandmother continues her daily work, Minh Anh is focused on advancing further in his studies, driven by a clear goal.
“In the past, my grandmother carried me”, he said. “Now, I want to become strong enough to carry her, so she won’t have to struggle anymore”.
