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| A bouquet of flowers, filled with gratitude from Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung to his mother |
Sharing about this trip, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung said it began with a serendipitous encounter in late 2024 during a year-end meeting of Hue Book and Culture Club. At that meeting, Mr. Phan Thien Dinh, Secretary of the Thuan Hoa District Party Committee, expressed his hope that Dr. Tung could provide supports for education in Hue.
Accepting the invitation, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tung returned and delivered talks at several schools. Remarkably, this time, his travel companion was a motorbike.
For 600 students at Hung Vuong Secondary School, his return was an extraordinary event. Ms. Mai Thi Thuy, Principal of Hung Vuong Secondary School, shared that it was a long-awaited opportunity the school had hoped for.
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| Students at Hung Vuong Secondary School welcoming Dr. Tung |
During this first visit, Dr. Tung held a talk on the use of social media - a growing concern in schools. “Our students are glued to their phones, distracted, getting drawn into bad habits that affect their studies and behavior. We’ve been deeply concerned but unsure how to guide them. Thankfully, through his talk, Dr. Tung helped the students clearly see the pros and cons of social media. He also gave teachers and administrators actionable insights,” said Principal Thuy.
This visit was also personally meaningful to Dr. Tung. Ten years ago, Ms. Le Thi Le My - then a homeroom teacher, now Vice Principal of the school - had reached out, expressing a hope that one day he might return and speak to the students about adolescence, academic goals, and future planning. Ten years later, her dream came true. That deep sense of care and hope from the educators was a powerful motivation behind his return.
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| Interacting with students of Huong Long Primary School on cultural behavior in school |
During this trip, Dr. Tung also gave two special gifts to Huong Long Primary School, located at the headwaters of the Perfume River in Kim Long. On the day he arrived in Hue, straight from his flight from Ho Chi Minh City, he headed directly to the school for a talk on cultural behavior in school. He focused on two essential skills: listening and embracing differences among peers. Through real-life scenarios and interactive storytelling, he taught the students to listen with their heart.
Two days later, at the principal’s heartfelt request, Dr. Tung returned for a second talk - this time with the parents. This was also his third talk in a day with 3 schools. Riding out alone from the city center, he arrived at Huong Long Primary School just past 7 p.m.
Under makeshift lights strung from trees in the schoolyard, over 100 parents attentively followed a two-hour session filled with relatable, real-life stories and practical advice on parenting. By the time the talk ended, it was nearly 10 p.m. Quietly, Dr. Tung rode his motorbike back to his home more than ten kilometers away in Dong Di village, Phu Ho, carrying with him a bouquet from the school, which he later gave to his beloved mother.
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| The impromptu talk with parents of Huong Long Primary School had to be carried out at night |
Mr. Nguyen Duy Phuoc - Principal of Huong Long Primary School, shared that the session offered practical skills for schools and parents to partner in supporting students.
He was also especially moved by the Dr. Tung’s message of embracing differences to support the children. According to Mr. Phuoc, when differences aren’t accepted or understood, they often become the source of suffering.
Welcoming differences, leading by example, and working closely with schools - these were the keys Dr. Tung shared with 300 parents and teachers from 82 schools citywide in another talk titled “Parents’ accompaniment in educating children”. According to Secretary Phan Thien Dinh, this event marks the beginning of a broader initiative: a training program to equip parents with essential parenting and education skills. The aim is to build a happier, more supportive learning environment where parents know how to truly walk alongside their children.
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| Teaching children of Phu Ho Kindergarten on kindness |
Despite his packed schedule, Dr. Tung always reserves time for local businessmen in Hue. This visit included a training course on change management - a vital issue for struggling businesses.
One day wasn’t enough. The workshop extended into the evening. The participants were young entrepreneurs facing mounting challenges. “Change or die? In Thailand, every single day, over a thousand businesses vanish because they fail to adapt.”, warned Dr. Tung.
With this urgency in mind, he once again returns to Hue, providing knowledge to help businesses redefine their mission and vision, streamline operations, build a strong company culture, and now - embrace artificial intelligence.
Also in this trip, Dr. Tung made a visit to Phu Ho Kindergarten - his hometown - and spoke to the teachers about the meaning and joy of teaching.
In the serene landscape of lush rice fields in Dong Di, he spent a gentle moment guiding the kindergarten children through an activity on expressing love - with a guitar in hand.
Amid innocent laughter and melodic chords, he seemed to reconnect with his own childhood. Perhaps, in that moment, his beloved hometown further fueled his heart with the love and energy that continues to guide his chosen path, “serving” the society - toward the many dreams he still holds dear.