Tran Duc Minh: From Aspiring Entrepreneur to Vice Chancellor’s Scholar

Driven by a lifelong passion for business, Tran Duc Minh (Class 12G1, Global Citizen Bilingual Pathway) has successfully secured the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship from British University Vietnam (BUV), covering 90% of his tuition fees.

“My initial goal was the 70% scholarship tier, so the final result was a wonderful surprise,” shared Duc Minh upon receiving the news from BUV.

The announcement came while Minh was in class, forcing him to contain his excitement until he reached home. “That evening, I was allowed to play video games all night without any reminders from my parents. I could tell my mother was truly proud of me,” he recalled.

Minh applied for the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Management, awarded by the University of London. This scholarship is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a desire to contribute to the nation's socio-economic development. Out of hundreds of applicants nationwide, Minh was one of only seven candidates selected.

A childhood steeped in entrepreneurship

Explaining his choice of a challenging major, Minh noted that business runs in his blood. “My passion was sparked by my family. My grandparents raised nine children from scratch, and each of them built their own enterprises—from farms to small shops. Being exposed to this environment early on made me want to dive deeper into the field.”

Minh began his journey toward BUV in 10th grade. After attending career orientation workshops co-organized by Greenfield School and BUV, he set his sights on the international university. Throughout high school, he meticulously mapped out his path to success.

Beyond maintaining a GPA of 8.8+ and an IELTS score of 7.5, Minh focused heavily on building a versatile portfolio. He served as a member of the Finance Committee for the Greenfield Volunteer Club and the Logistics Board for the "Canh Dieu" (Kite) charity project. These roles taught him cash flow management and resource allocation—early proof of his "dare to do" spirit.

Minh’s leadership also extended to the sports field. As Captain of the Greenfield Basketball Club, he led his team to a Silver Medal at the 2025 Provincial High School Basketball Championship. His athletic resume is further bolstered by a Bronze Medal in provincial swimming and multiple Gold Medals in football and basketball at the Greenfield Olympics 2025.

The "touchpoint" of the portfolio: A shoe-cleaning startup

What truly set Minh’s application apart was his hands-on entrepreneurial experience. “During basketball season, my classmates noticed how clean my shoes were and asked if I could clean theirs for a small fee. I saw an opportunity there,” Minh explained.

Through persistence, his shoe-cleaning service expanded across classes. The small change he collected was the result of late nights spent over a washbasin after finishing his homework. For Minh, this "micro-startup" provided invaluable lessons in sales, marketing, and customer service.

To further broaden his horizons, Minh spent his summer breaks interning at a marketing agency and a tech corporation in event and administrative roles. These experiences gave him a front-row seat to how professional enterprises operate.

These stories formed the core of his 1,000-word personal statement. “Instead of just listing flashy achievements, I wrote about my childhood connection to business, my startup project, and how my internships shaped my vision for my time at BUV,” Minh said.

In March 2026, Minh faced a 20-minute interview with a four-member panel. He stayed calm and sincere, sharing his study plans and personal interests. His secret to success? “Always start with a polite greeting and end with a sincere thank you. I simply gave it my absolute best.”

Vision for the future: Revolutionizing supply chains

For Minh, the 90% scholarship is not just a financial award but a validation of his hard work. He remains humble, crediting his success to the support of Greenfield School, specifically his IELTS teacher, Ms. Ai Nhi, and his homeroom teacher, Mr. Dai Hai.

In his recommendation letter, Mr. Dai Hai remarked: “In 15 years of teaching, I find Minh to be a very special case. He is not only a top student but a responsible leader who listens, understands, and inspires those around him.”

Looking ahead, Minh dreams of founding his own company in the Supply Chain sector. He aims to optimize logistics and production links to reduce costs and increase value, ultimately contributing to the sustainable restructuring of the agricultural industry.

Congratulations to Tran Duc Minh on this outstanding achievement. We wish this talented Greenfield student a brilliant journey ahead as he leaves his own unique mark on the business world.