Over 100 students who topped university entrance exams this year have been asked to continue with their academic projects, and become an active factor in building a learning society and a develope a knowledge -based economy.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the request in Hanoi on August 21 during his talk with 112 students who had got the highest marks at the recent university and college entrance exams. Hung also shared his experience in studying and working in the financial sector.

“We should have a passion for whatever we do, then we can do it well, and determination will lead us to success,” said Hung.

He said youth was the most beautiful period of a person’s life, and students must take advantage of this time to study, dedicate themselves to a worthy cause and take responsibility for not only their families but also for social communities and the country.

Students must try their best to overcome difficulties and feel proud of themselves as young Vietnamese who contribute to bringing prosperity to the country and heighten its prestige in the international arena, said Hung.

He also urged them to promote the enthusiasm and energy of youth by making practical contribution to the cause of national construction and development aimed at turning Vietnam into an industrialized nation by 2020.

The NA Chairman expressed his belief that students with a good foundation of knowledge will gain more achievements in studying and working to realize their dreams of becoming the leading experts and intellectuals in the near future.

At the meeting, the students talked about their aspirations. Mai Van Chu, top scorer at the University of Civil Engineering, said he came from a poor family in northern Nam Dinh Province’s Thien Truong Commune, and wished to become a civil engineer so that he could have the chance to help many people.

The students thanked the Party and State for their trust in the young generation. Pham Thi Hong Tham, who came top at the entrance exam to Hanoi Pedagogical University No 2, asked the Party and State to pay more attention to investing and raising incomes for people working in the education sector.

The same day, a ceremony was also held for Hanoi’s laureates to sign their names in a large-sized and specially-designed letter to send to soldiers garrisoned in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago area.

Addressing the ceremony, Ngo Thi Doan Thanh, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee asked the students to promote the learning tradition of the thousand-year old capital city. The Party and State always attach importance to building a contingent of intellectuals as part of important human resources for the country.

On the occasion, State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan conferred certificates of merit on the laureates.