Valedictorians, those who have achieved outstanding academic achievements in higher education institutions, are valuable assets to the capital city and the country.

The Chairman of the Hanoi City People's Committee, Tran Sy Thanh, made this statement at the ceremony held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Hanoi on the evening of October 10 to honor 96 outstanding valedictorians who will graduate from universities and institutes in the city in 2023.

"Talents are national resources, especially for Hanoi, one of the largest academic centers in the country," Thanh said, stressing that the tradition of study and appreciation for learning has always been promoted and preserved throughout Hanoi's historical periods.

Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Municipal People's Committee, delivers a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Pham Hung/ The Hanoi Times

The Mayor of Hanoi also outlined the city's important policies to attract talent, develop high-quality human resources, and achieve sustainable development for the capital and the country.

Thanh expressed his hope that each valedictorian will promote the youthful spirit of volunteerism, make efforts to raise the intellectual level of the people, strengthen the country, and make significant contributions to the cause of national construction and defense.

"Many have made positive contributions in various aspects of life, which shows that the city's recognition of outstanding students has served as an encouragement to young people in their studies and training," the official added.

He expressed his appreciation for the dedication of teachers and the support of universities and colleges. "They are an invaluable motivation for all of you to overcome any difficulties and achieve the title of valedictorian," he said.

According to the mayor, Hanoi is in the next stage of development with great expectations. Politburo Resolution No. 15 on Hanoi's Development Goals for 2030 with a Vision for 2045 expects the city to become a world-class city with a high standard of living based on comprehensive economic, social, and cultural development by 2045.

At that time, Hanoi would be at a similar level of development to the capitals of developed countries in the region and the world.

Ninety-six valedictorians from Hanoi-based universities and institutes are honored.

In this context, Thanh expected today's graduates and young people to take responsibility for realizing these ambitious goals, adding that all graduates must set an example for others to follow. "A living example is more valuable than hundreds of speeches," the mayor stressed.

Over 20 years, Hanoi has honored 2,165 valedictorians from the city's universities and colleges. Many of them have achieved early success in their careers after graduation and have made positive contributions to the construction and development of the capital and the country. They serve as examples of promoting creativity and upholding the national tradition of hard work in learning.

Chu Hong Minh, Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union, highlighted the national tradition of dedication to learning.

"For many years, the city's Party Committee and authorities have issued policies to attract and nurture talent to build a prosperous, beautiful, and modern capital city. Hanoi's future depends on the success of the young generation in life," Minh said, adding that the ceremony aims to recognize the students' continuous efforts in their learning process.

The youth official expressed her belief that they will keep their spirits high under all circumstances and fully utilize their creativity to bring more achievements to the capital and the country.

On behalf of the valedictorians present at the ceremony, Tran Thi Thu Hien from the Foreign Trade University expressed her gratitude to the authorities, teachers, and parents for their unwavering support during their academic journey.

Tran Thi Thu Hien, a valedictorian from the Foreign Trade University in 2023 speaks at the ceremony.

"We have just completed our university journey. While the time may not have been long, it has been sufficient for us to amass knowledge, gain experience, and learn valuable life lessons. This is the baggage we carry with us as we step into life, ready to dedicate all our skills, energy, and enthusiasm to contribute to the development of the capital city and our beloved country," said Hien.

She called upon the Party and the Government to provide more support to the youth and create a favorable environment for young talents to actively participate in the growth of Hanoi and Vietnam.

Feeling honored to be among this year's valedictorians, Pham Thuy Dung, an outstanding student from Hanoi Procuratorate University, told The Hanoi Times via phone, "I am immensely proud to be recognized as one of the 96 valedictorians in Hanoi's Golden Book. This recognition serves as a strong motivation for me to continue putting forth my utmost efforts in the future to contribute to the development of the capital city and the country."

Dung expressed her hopes that today's young people, armed with enthusiasm and knowledge, will take a leading role in driving socio-economic development and help realize the city's aspirations for innovation and progress.

In addition to the ceremony on the evening of October 10, the Class of 2023 engaged in various meaningful activities. These included paying tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and visiting the Mausoleum of Uncle Ho, meeting with students from the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, engaging with pioneering enterprises in innovation, creativity, and digital transformation, and participating in other significant events.