From TikTok to Tsinghua: How Vietnamese student turned her hobby into scholarship at Asia's most prestigious university

Bui Ngoc Ha, 25, from Lao Cai Province that borders China, gained prominence within the Chinese-language learning community through engaging content about life abroad, amassing over one million views on her social media channels.

Her experiences as a content creator not only boosted her online presence but also honed her communication skills, a key factor in her successful scholarship application at Tsinghua University, which was recognized as the most prestigious institution in Asia and 8th globally, according to the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2025.

"Studying at China's top university has opened new opportunities and is a significant step in my journey," Ha said.

Bui Ngoc Ha. Photo courtesy of Bui Viet Ha

Ha was initially awarded a governmental scholarship in 2018 to study Chinese language at Nanjing University, where she excelled academically, winning numerous awards, including first place in a provincial Chinese speech contest for international students in Jiangsu.

Despite graduating online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ha maintained her momentum by working and sharpening her language skills, achieving a high level of proficiency (HSK 6).

In 2024, Ha applied to Tsinghua University and Peking University, choosing Tsinghua for its strong communications department and innovative research into artificial intelligence (AI). Her application highlighted clear academic goals, solid achievements and her passion for cultural communication enhanced by AI.

"Being from a border province, Chinese opened doors to entirely new experiences," she wrote in her personal essay, reflecting on her academic journey and passion for creating impactful content.

Ha prepared meticulously for the rigorous Tsinghua admissions interview, conducting intensive practice sessions with a friend just two days ahead of the scheduled discussion with a panel of six professors. Although initially unsure about her performance, Ha received her acceptance letter in June 2024.

Adapting to a new academic environment posed challenges at first, but Ha quickly found her footing by dedicating extensive hours to studying in the library and seeking guidance from professors. After her first semester, she achieved an impressive GPA of 3.6 out of 4.

Associate Professor Changhuo Xu from Nanjing University praised Ha, describing her academic record as extraordinary for an international student, emphasizing her intellectual curiosity and clear career objectives.

Now focusing on research and practical experience through internships, Ha plans to eventually return to Vietnam to leverage her education and build her career.