Passion for Chinese earns Vietnamese student full scholarships to China's top universities

A high school student from Hanoi has secured full scholarships to four prestigious Chinese universities, including Peking University, after a year of intensive preparation and outstanding academic performance. Nguyen Ngoc Dan Khanh, 18, a Literature student at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, received a full government scholarship to Peking University, as well as offers from Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, and Fudan University.

Khanh has chosen to attend Peking University, where her scholarship covers tuition and dormitory fees, along with a monthly living stipend of approximately VND9 million (US$362) for her studies in the School of Journalism and Communication.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, Peking University ranks first in China and 14th globally, while the other three universities are also highly regarded, ranking in the top 10 in China and the top 50 worldwide. "I'm thrilled to have won the scholarship and been accepted into my dream university," Khanh expressed.

Nguyen Ngoc Dan Khanh’s journey showcases her deep passion for literature and language, which began in childhood. In middle school, she fell in love with Chinese literature and pursued extra language classes. By 12th grade, she had chosen to study journalism and communication in China, recognizing the sophistication of the language in that field.

Despite the pressure of a tight timeline, Khanh meticulously crafted her application, showcasing her strong academic record, IELTS and HSK certifications, and extracurricular activities. She maintained an impressive average above 9, won first prize in Hanoi's Literature contest, and ranked second nationally in the same subject. She achieved HSK 6 and an IELTS score of 7.5.

Khanh faced challenges preparing for the HSK exam, especially with the complexities of Chinese characters, often using Sino-Vietnamese homophones as a clever but risky strategy. In contrast, her English studies were more straightforward due to a solid foundation, supported by her friends.

Her study plan was a standout aspect of her application, tailored to highlight her admiration for Beijing’s culture and her commitment to preserving it. Khanh took on leadership roles in extracurricular activities and participated in online courses from Chinese universities to bolster her application.

She applied for the Intergovernmental Scholarship, eliminating the need for an interview, but managing her time between school and application prep was challenging. Khanh initially struggled with sleep deprivation but eventually reorganized her schedule to balance her health and academic goals, successfully passing her language exams.

Her teacher, Ly Quan, praised her reasoning skills and rapid progress in Chinese, attributing it to her dedication to reading and staying informed.

At Peking University, Khanh aims to major in Journalism while participating in related extracurriculars. She plans to learn Arabic to broaden her career prospects, aspiring to be a foreign correspondent or work in a multinational corporation’s communications department. Khanh emphasizes that mastering new languages is crucial in today’s globalized world.