“A thorough preparation and a strong foundation from an early stage will enable each student and their family to take initiative and adapt to changes. A learning program tailored to each student’s strengths, along with an environment that fosters individual creativity, will be an advantage for them in achieving their dreams.”
These were the heartfelt words shared by Mr. Nguyen The Dung – father of Nguyen Thi Hong Van, Grade 12S1 (Academic years 2023–2025), as he reflected on his daughter’s confident and determined journey with the Australia–Vietnam Dual Diploma Program at Hanoi Adelaide School.
A turning-point decision
At the end of lower secondary school, Hong Van expressed her dream of studying in Australia and her wish to access a curriculum closely aligned with international standards right from high school. From this aspiration, the family decided to choose the Australia–Vietnam Dual Diploma Program at Hanoi Adelaide School as a strategic step to bring her closer to that dream.
After thorough research, Mr. Dung and his family believed that H.A.S was the most suitable choice for their daughter’s academic goals and abilities. Here, Hong Van would study both the Vietnamese and Australian high school programs in parallel. This not only helped her build a solid academic foundation but also gave her opportunities to develop essential life skills such as time management, study planning, and effective task organization — valuable preparation for an independent life in the future.
Beyond saving time, the Dual Diploma Program also enabled Hong Van to complete her high school pathway in just 2.5 years and obtain the Australian High School Certificate — a direct passport to prestigious universities worldwide without the need for a foundation year. At the same time, this certificate can be fully converted to a Vietnamese High School Diploma, allowing her to apply to many universities within Vietnam. This opens wide opportunities, giving her greater flexibility in shaping her future.
“What impresses me most about Hanoi Adelaide School is its student-centered educational philosophy — where every student is encouraged to maximize their own strengths. Modern facilities, dedicated teachers, and their close attention to each student truly reassure me that my daughter is learning and growing in an open, positive, and culturally diverse environment,” Mr. Dung shared.
Walking alongside his daughter on her learning journey at H.A.S
With a strong English foundation, Hong Van quickly adapted to the Dual Diploma Program from her very first days in Grade 10. However, due to the clear differences from the traditional curriculum, the early stage was still a period where she had to make an effort to familiarize herself with new learning methods.
With the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) program, students can choose subjects based on their interests — from Mathematical Methods, Business Innovation, and Economics to Creative Arts and Media Studies. This flexibility allows students to explore specialized fields early on, helping them shape their passions and define a clearer career direction right from high school.
What Mr. Dung values most is that his daughter learns directly from an international team of teachers with extensive real-world experience. These teachers not only deliver academic knowledge but also weave in valuable life lessons drawn from their own professional journeys. In addition, their dedication, attention to detail, and close guidance give students the confidence to discover and develop their individual strengths.
For Hong Van, her teachers, teaching assistants, and senior students have been like trusted companions — always there to answer her questions, stay up late working on assignments together, and guide her whenever she faced challenges.
In particular, the project-based learning approach has helped her develop essential skills for a global learning environment: from research, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking to public speaking — competencies that are indispensable in today’s interconnected world.
“After just one year in the SACE program, I have seen clear changes in my daughter. She has become more confident and proactive, ready to share her thoughts with teachers and friends. Vân has also made remarkable progress in research skills and uses English more fluently in her daily life,” Mr. Dung shared.
The Reward of a Wise Decision
Graduating from the SACE program after 2.5 years of study with an ATAR of 89.1, Hong Van ranked in the top 9% of students worldwide — an impressive achievement. She was admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce program at Macquarie University, Australia, and awarded a valuable scholarship, thanks to her outstanding academic record, strong English proficiency, and well-developed academic skills.
“With the knowledge and skills gained from the SACE Dual Diploma Program, my daughter felt fully prepared when starting her university studies in Australia. This gives our family great peace of mind, knowing that she has the confidence to achieve success and a strong professional foundation for her future career,” shared Hong Van’s father.
Hong Van’s journey is not an isolated case at H.A.S but rather a typical example of a student-centered educational model. At Hanoi Adelaide School, alongside the guidance of teachers, parents also play a vital role — providing support and serving as a strong source of encouragement — to ensure their children’s growth is steady, sustainable, and full of inspiration.
Parents can learn more about the Australia–Vietnam Dual Diploma Program here: https://admissions.has.edu.vn/song-bang
Hanoi Adelaide School
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