The first prize of the 4th “Người Thầy kính yêu” Awards Ceremony organized by Báo Người Lao Động was awarded to Hoàng Nguyễn Vân Nhi, a student of USSH, VNU-HCM. Behind the bright lights and resounding applause is a young woman who once struggled with self-doubt and persistent questioning about whether she had chosen the right path.
Few would imagine that what fueled Nhi’s dedication to journalism was a simple yet powerful image: a child in a mountainous area attending school all year long with only one shirt.
That moment made Nhi deeply aware of her own privileges and the quiet yet profound impact of teachers, whose kind action or word of encouragement can change a child’s life forever.
Growing up with stories of kindness
Nhi’s award-winning entry tells the story of three teachers - Ms. Hiền, Ms. Diệp, and Ms. Ngà - who have spent nearly eight years bringing the project “Good Books for Primary School Students” to remote areas.
From villages without electricity or clean water to winding mountain passes shrouded in clouds, they persistently transported boxes of books uphill, bringing the light of knowledge to places where even a single book can be a luxury.
For Nhi, their story also represents countless Vietnamese teachers who help their students silently with unwavering compassion.
From that story, Nhi says she was “taught a profound lesson in gratitude.” She decided to donate part of her prize to support people in Central Vietnam affected by floods as a way to pass on the kindness that she had been receiving.
Finding her career path: from a self-doubting girl to a young writer
Few people know that the confident young woman on stage today once feared being a journalist.
“I used to think this career would be exhausting, unstable, and not suitable for someone introverted like me,” Nhi recalled. “I assumed I would work in communications, not journalism.” At one point, the confusion grew so strong that she felt she had “chosen the wrong major.”
However, during her years at USSH, VNU-HCM, she has met teachers who are “diverse, highly competent, and truly liberating”, which changed her trajectory. Classes on journalism theory and text analysis were full of their real-life stories, and meticulous feedback sessions gradually showed her that journalism is far more beautiful and humane than she had imagined.
When asked about the most inspiring teacher, Nhi immediately mentioned Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hà. “He’s super kind yet incredibly strict,” she laughed. Receiving a perfect score in Editing was not just her personal milestone, but also a testament to the dedication and rigor of a teacher who patiently helped students down to the smallest details.
Another deep influence was Mr. Nguyễn Quang Liêm, who teaches photojournalism and currently works at Báo Người Lao Động. “His teaching is very practical, guiding even the smallest technique like how to hold the camera properly. This award-winning Khâm Thiên photo series of mine was the result of everything he taught me.”
Those lessons helped Nhi understand that journalism requires not only working with pen and paper, but also “eyes to see, a heart to feel, and hands to do.”
Besides her teachers, Nhi also found guidance from her seniors in the club she joins, where her journey of self-transformation began. From an introverted girl who avoided crowds and feared falling behind, she gradually became someone who dared to write, to step forward, to try, and to accept mistakes as part of growth. “The club is my second home. Without them, I’d probably still be the quiet girl sitting at the back of the classroom.”
When asked what she is most grateful for about her teachers at USSH, Nhi chose a single word: “Diversity.”
Diversity in age and experience.
Diversity in expertise - from print journalism, television, and digital media to communications, law, and professional ethics.
Diversity in teaching styles - some more theoretical, some more practical; some with new cases every year, others sharing wisdom from real journeys and life lessons.
Above all, it is respect for students’ diversity.
“Our teachers let us learn freely, speak freely, and debate freely without imposition. Everyone is heard.”
After winning first prize, Nhi admits she feels some pressure. “I worry that I may not yet be as good as people expect. But what I can do is keep learning and practicing, so that in a few years I can become a strong, capable reporter.”
She smiled gently, her eyes bright: “I believe that surpassing oneself is the greatest gift a student can give to their teachers.”
A message on Teachers’ day: “Thank you for being patient with our uncertainty”
“I want to thank all my teachers for giving me the chance to study in a diverse, kind, and enriching environment. Thank you for being patient with our uncertainty; thank you for teaching us not only knowledge, but how to be a good person.”
“My wish is that all teachers stay healthy, keep the fire in them, and feel happy while watching us grow. To us, teachers will always be our role model.”
We ended our online conversation with Vân Nhi as the screen faded into a soft blue glow and her voice gradually quieted after her final reflections. On the other end, the 21-year-old student remained remarkably calm and mature, as she spoke of field trips, memories with teachers, and her journey of overcoming fear to find her place in journalism.
Through the meeting, Nhi spoke at length about gratitude, about the dedication of teachers at Nhân văn, and about how everyone helped her morph into who she is today. For Nhi, the most meaningful gift for teachers on Teachers’ day lies not in lengthy wishes, but how each student tries their best to grow and live well by the lessons their teachers have taught.
Source: KIM CƯƠNG - NGUYÊN QUYÊN
Translated by: Như Quỳnh Lý
