In addition to studying, Quynh Mi often helps her mother sort bottle ticks to make a living. The 20m2 house of the mother and daughter has nothing of value except dozens of certificates of merit hanging on the wall.

Ngo Dang Quynh Mi (Lan Phong commune) is the valedictorian of the entrance exam for grade 10, school year 2025-2026 of province (old) with a total score of 28.5. More admirable, Mi’s mother raised me alone with the profession of buying bottle ticks.

Mi and her mother, Ms. Ngo Thi Kim Mai (60 years old), live in a house of only 20m2. In the house, there is only one bed, an old set of tables and chairs and dozens of certificates of merit hanging all over the wall.

Ngo Dang Quynh Mi and her mother (Photo: Quoc Trieu).

On the veranda, on the old bicycle was a pile of bottle ticks that Mrs. Mai had just bought. The profession of buying bottle ticks helps Ms. Mai have more income to feed Quynh Mi.

Previously, when Mi started going to school, Ms. Mai was given a small house by her parents that was a grocery store to live in. Although Quynh Mi’s childhood passed in difficulties and deprivation, the small house was still full of laughter.

Every day, Ms. Mai takes Mi to class and then takes advantage of buying bottle ticks. The image of an elderly mother carrying her young daughter in a car to buy bottle ticks has become familiar to locals.

The small house of Quynh Mi’s mother and daughter in(Photo: Quoc Trieu).

In grade 2, Quynh Mi had a lymphadenoma in her neck. The tumor is located near a blood vessel, so it cannot be completely removed surgically due to the risk of complications. Therefore, Mi’s health has declined a lot. However, inside a small body is a whole outstanding energy.

“Being a single mother has never been easy. Mi and I were often sick. However, both mother and daughter tried to overcome,” Ms. Mai shared.

Mi has a sense of self-study, so her academic performance is always at the top of her class. During her 9 years of elementary and junior high school, Mi has always achieved excellent student achievements. She also achieved high results in district and provincial excellent student exams.

The mother who picks up bottle ticks is always proud to have an energetic daughter (Photo: Supplied character).

The house is too difficult, so Quynh Mi does not study more. Mi studied online on her own with her old phone. In her free time, Mi helped her mother sort bottle ticks.

Since self-learning online, Mi suddenly has a passion for the information technology industry. Therefore, the female student is oriented to study this major at the university level.

“My biggest obstacle is my health. Therefore, I have to arrange appropriate study and rest time. For me, studying is the only way to change my life and repay my mother’s gratitude,” Quynh Mi said.