On December 4, the 2025 "Outstanding Young Staff" title and "Student with 5 Good Criteria" title event took place at Tran Chi Dao Auditorium, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM). The event recognized the contributions of young academics to teaching and research, coinciding with the university’s 30th anniversary. Among the honorees, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH-VNUHCM), had 102 young staff members and students who received these honorable titles.
Awards as "an affirmation of inner strength"
Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Cao Vinh, Member of the Standing Committee of the VNUHCM Party Committee and Vice Chancellor of VNUHCM, affirmed the role of young intellectuals in building and developing the institution, "Young staff and students are the force that shapes the future and the driving spirit behind VNUHCM's identity and standing."
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Cao Vinh stated that each title is a story of perseverance and belief in oneself and in the pursuit of knowledge - Photo by: THANH HẢI
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Cao Vinh noted that the titles go beyond recognition to affirm inner strength. "Outstanding Young Staff and "Students of Five Merits" awards are not merely prizes, but rather, an affirmation of one's inner value - proof of one’s will, character, and aspiration," he said.
Outlining expectations for the next generation, he said: "VNUHCM expects the youth to be not only talented but also bold, ambitious, and responsible enough to lead the future." He challenged every young student and staff member to think big, lead the way, and shoulder the mission of their generation with intellect and conviction.
Recognizing and honoring contributions
At the festival, the two "Student with 5 Good Criteria" Collective titles went to the K43 Cartography, Remote Sensing and GIS Chapter and the K43 Population and Social Geography Chapter, both from USSH. The university also recognized 1 staff member honored four consecutive times, 4 honored three consecutive times, 5 exemplary Outstanding Young Staff, 12 exemplary "Student with 5 Good Criteria", and 80 "Student with 5 Good Criteria". For the university, each achievement is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and relentless ambition of the youth of VNUHCM.
Nguyễn Huỳnh Minh Phúc, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at USSH, VNUHCM, received the Outstanding Young Staff title for three consecutive terms and was named an Exemplary Outstanding Young Staff member - Photo by: THANH HẢI
Phạm Ngọc Quỳnh Trâm, Faculty of Education, USSH, VNUHCM, is the university's only student to receive the "Student with 5 Good Criteria" title for three consecutive years - Photo by: THANH HẢI
Trần Nguyễn Bảo Di, a second-year student at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, USSH, VNUHCM, received the VNUHCM "Student with 5 Good Criteria" 2025 title - Photo by: THANH HẢI
USSH, VNU-HCM had 102 young staff members and students receive VNUHCM-level titles - Photo by: THANH HẢI
VNU-HCM announced a list of 561 individuals receiving "Outstanding Young Staff" and "Student with 5 Good Criteria" titles in 2025, drawn from member universities, research institutes, and affiliated units.
The program is part of a series of events celebrating the 1st Congress of the HCMC Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Delegates - Photo by: THANH HẢI
During the program, the Organizing Committee presented nearly 10 award categories.
For Outstanding Young Staff titles, 113 individuals were honored for 2025, 16 for three consecutive terms (2021, 2023, 2025), 7 for four consecutive terms (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025), and 57 as Exemplary Outstanding Young Staff.
For "Student with 5 Good Criteria" titles, 448 students were honored for 2025, 10 for three consecutive years (2023–2025), 2 for five consecutive years (2021–2025), 63 as Exemplary "Student with 5 Good Criteria", and 2 "Student with 5 Good Criteria" Collectives.
The “Student Collectives with 5 Good Criteria” title was awarded to the K43 Cartography, Remote Sensing and GIS Student Association and the K43 Population and Social Geography Student Association at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNUHCM. The University also recognized one Outstanding Young Staff member honored four consecutive times, four honored three consecutive times, five exemplary Outstanding Young Staff members, 12 Outstanding Students of Five Merits, and 80 Students of Five Merits.
Scaling and connecting resources
The 2025 figures reflect the growing momentum of emulation movements. The Youth Union Executive Board and Youth Union–Student Associations across units implemented the "Outstanding Young Educator," "Three Responsibilities," and "Student with 5 Good Criteria" models throughout 2023–2025, creating platforms for students and lecturers to engage academically, develop physically, and fulfill community responsibilities.
This year's event also saw private sector participation, with WESET English Center Co., Ltd. awarding 448 English scholarships to all VNUHCM "Student with 5 Good Criteria" title recipients in 2025.
Each scholarship is valued at VND 16,500,000 - Photo by: THANH HẢI
The Outstanding Young Staff title recognizes young staff members and lecturers for their professional competence, research engagement, and contributions to VNU-HCM's development. The "Student with 5 Good Criteria" title is awarded to students who meet five criteria: good ethics, good academic performance, good physical fitness, good volunteering, and good social integration. Both titles affirm the place of young intellectuals in advancing the quality of education and training at VNUHCM.
Source: THANH HẢI - ĐỨC ÂN
Translated by: Như Quỳnh Lý
