The inspiring story of Le Trung Quan
In every generation of students in the International Relations program - Faculty of History & International Relations, there are always faces whose growth journeys become vivid proof of the value of education and persistent learning.
The story of Le Trung Quan is one such journey, a journey that began in the International Relations lecture hall with a desire to contribute something useful to the homeland.
Starting from the “IR home”
For many students, the International Relations major is not just a training program, but a place where global mindset and civic responsibility are formed.
At the “IR home”, students are exposed to international politics, diplomacy, global economics, development issues, and governance. But more importantly, it is a process of learning how to understand the world, understand one's own country, and find one's position within the great movements of the era.
Le Trung Quan, born in 1989 in Dong Thap, matured from that very academic environment. The years studying International Relations helped him form a foundation of thinking about policy, development, and the role of Vietnam in a changing world.
That was also the foundation for his later choice to work in the public sector - where knowledge is transformed into action and responsibility towards society.
The first steps
Between 2014 and 2020, he worked at the Office of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee, taking on the responsibility of advising and proposing socio-economic development, external affairs, and local image building. This was a period that helped him deeply understand the realities of local governance and the challenges of agricultural-rural development.
In 2018, he participated in the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), one of the largest international youth exchange programs in the region. This experience helped broaden his international perspective and connect with youth networks from many countries.
From local to central level
After his time working in Dong Thap, he moved to the central level to work at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, participating in policy consultation related to agricultural, rural, and farmer life development.
In the context of Vietnam's deep integration into the global economy, issues that seem purely domestic such as agriculture, trade, standards, or supply chains are all closely tied to international factors.
And it is here that the knowledge from the International Relations lecture hall has become an important foundation.
Since 2025, he has taken on the position of Secretary to the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, equivalent to the rank of Department Director - a position that requires synthesis capabilities, policy thinking, and a deep understanding of the national governance system.
Currently, Le Trung Quan is running for a seat in the 16th National Assembly, term 2026-2031, in Constituency No. 2, Dong Thap Province (according to Resolution 151/NQ-HĐBCQG of the National Election Council).
When IR knowledge steps into practice
Le Trung Quan's story shows IR generations something very thought-provoking:
International Relations does not just train diplomats.
This major also trains people who always want to understand reality and approach a holistic, multi-channel, multi-disciplinary, and multi-dimensional perspective.
In an increasingly connected world, almost every field - from economy and environment to agriculture - has an international dimension.
A civil servant working in the government apparatus today needs to understand:
- Global trends
- International agreements
- Modern governance standards
- Vietnam's position in the international system
- “Glocal” - a global mindset combined with local understanding, valuing indigenous resource values.
Those are the competencies that the International Relations major aims for.
Message for IR students
For today's student generations, Le Trung Quan's story delivers many messages:
- Academic knowledge has long-term value.
What you learn today can become a tool to solve very specific social problems in the future.
- A career path tied to the desire to contribute to the homeland requires perseverance and steadfastness.
It is the experiences at different working levels that will help you build the most solid foundation for the future.
- And most importantly:
Open-mindedness: dream, and ask questions. Know how to feel the unique things of life around you, while constantly asking questions and striving to find practical answers.
From lecture hall to the future
The International Relations home - Faculty of History & International Relations, has over the years trained many generations of students who work in diplomacy, journalism, business, international organizations, and state agencies.
Each person has a different journey.
But their common point is an open mindset and a spirit of dedication.
Le Trung Quan's journey is the journey of a student who answered the sincere message of his teachers: “To love the country is to make the country more lovable”.
And for IR students today, that story suggests a very important question:
After leaving the lecture hall, how will we use our knowledge and experience to contribute something useful to our family, our community, and our country?
From the lecture hall, stepping into the world.
Proudly sending a greeting: “Come to our homeland!”
