Diep Minh Tien's will to overcome difficulties

Overcoming fate

Born with damaged hands, congenital heart disease and lung disease, Diep Minh Tien had to rely on his parents for all his daily activities since he was a child. At the age of 3 (2008), Minh Tien was fortunate to have the Ninh Thuan Province Association for the Support of Poor Patients (formerly known as Ninh Thuan Province) mobilize benefactors to sponsor the cost of his congenital heart surgery. A few days after the heart surgery, Minh Tien continued to undergo lung surgery with the cost supported by benefactors. Since then, Minh Tien's health has improved, but he is still weak because he has to live with many other underlying diseases such as asthma and high blood pressure. Every time the weather changes, Minh Tien still needs medicine to treat his illness.

Diep Minh Tien (left) received a savings book symbol worth 5 million VND at the Light Up Dreams Program in July 2025.

Diep Minh Tien (left) received a savings book symbol worth 5 million VND at the "Lighting up Dreams" Program in July 2025.

Minh Tien's family in Do Vinh ward is in a difficult situation. In 2019, Minh Tien's father passed away from liver cancer. Since then, the burden of the family has been on the mother's shoulders. To earn an income to take care of the family, in previous years, Minh Tien's mother worked as an hourly cleaner. Now, because she is old and has to take Minh Tien to school every day, she receives cashew nuts to shell at home, so her income is not high. Minh Tien's older sister is currently a contract teacher, with a modest income, but she always tries her best to help her mother take care of her younger brother every day.

“When I was young, I used to think and feel sad about my shortcomings. Later, when I grew up, I realized that if I kept thinking about my shortcomings, I would always fall behind. Therefore, instead of losing confidence and blaming myself, I saw my shortcomings as a unique point and told myself to always try my best every day,” Minh Tien shared.

Thanks to positive thinking, especially the care and support of his mother and sister, over the years, Minh Tien has always strived to excel, studied seriously, and lived with dreams and ambitions. During the 12 years of high school and the first semester of university, Minh Tien has always achieved the title of good and excellent student. The certificates of merit are treasured by him and hung on the wall of his family's small house. That is a reward and also a testament to the journey of overcoming difficulties of a young person with great will and determination.

Currently, Minh Tien is studying Business Administration at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry in Ninh Thuan. Minh Tien expressed: "The biggest motivation that helps me overcome all difficulties and obstacles is when I see my mother and sister constantly trying every day, always caring, looking after and helping me. I tell myself that no matter how many difficulties and incidents I go through, I will always try to study and move forward. Because I realize that only the path of study can help me change my life and my family's in the future, as well as become a useful person for society."

Light up the light of hope

At the "Lighting up dreams" program in July 2025 organized by Khanh Hoa Newspaper, Radio and Television in collaboration with BIDV Ninh Thuan Bank and Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry in Ninh Thuan, Minh Tien was one of two students who overcame difficulties and studied well from schools in the southern region of the province to receive a scholarship of a savings book worth 5 million VND.

Sharing the difficulties with his family, over the years, many philanthropists have also supported and given Minh Tien scholarships, helping him have more conditions to go to school. “Diep Minh Tien is a shining example of perseverance in overcoming adversity to study and rise up. Admiring that spirit, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry in Ninh Thuan has waived tuition fees and connected and sought scholarship sources to light up his dreams, giving him more motivation to continue his life journey. Immediately after the program “Lighting up Dreams” by Khanh Hoa Newspaper, Radio and Television was broadcast, a philanthropist who is a seafood business owner in Ho Chi Minh City, currently with a branch in the southern region of Khanh Hoa province, proactively contacted the branch to support all tuition and living expenses for Minh Tien until he graduates from university, and at the same time committed to officially hiring him to work at the business right after graduation” - Dr. Tran Dinh Ly - Vice Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, Director of Ninh Thuan Branch said.

LAM ANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202507/nghi-luc-vuot-kho-cua-diep-minh-tien-2e95743/