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| Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho and Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao looked at photographs and documents about outstanding generations of Quoc Hoc - Hue students |
Lessons carried from Quoc Hoc
For Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho, former Standing Deputy Secretary of Thua Thien Hue Provincial Party Committee and former Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, his three years in the specialized Mathematics stream at Quoc Hoc, from 1978 to 1981, coincided with a period when the country was still facing numerous hardships. Outside the classroom, he and his classmates took part in growing vegetables and sweet potatoes to supplement their meals, particularly for boarding students living far from home. “Those were years when we worked hard, studying while taking part in production activities with the school. It was a youth of hardship, but one we are also proud of,” recalled Mr. Tho.
More than four decades have passed; those memories remain vivid. Besides the knowledge and the dedication of teachers, it was the learning environment and the tradition of Quoc Hoc that instilled in students a determination to strive and a desire to make useful contributions to the community once they grew up.
For Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao, Deputy Director of the Center of Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery, Hue Central Hospital, and the runner-up in the fifth ‘Road to Mount Olympia’ competition (in 2004), his deepest memories of years in the specialized Chemistry stream are of his teachers’ care. He recalled that before each competition for excellent students, teachers always created favorable conditions for students to concentrate on revision, sought out additional learning materials, and sometimes personally delivered carefully prepared materials to them. “What I found most wonderful about Quoc Hoc was the wholehearted support of the teachers,” shared Dr. Bao.
As for Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, Acting President of Hue University and Rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, his years in the specialized Mathematics stream at Quoc Hoc laid an important foundation for his later studies and career.
Looking back on his path, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy said that the values underpinning Quoc Hoc’s tradition had been nurtured across generations, particularly through the dedication and talent of its teachers and the efforts of its students. He cherishes what he learned there, noting that it provided not only a scientific knowledge base, but also a broader understanding of life, equipping him with knowledge for his later studies and career.
Dreams for Hue
After leaving Quoc Hoc, each of them entered a different field and took on different responsibilities. But when it comes to Hue, they all have their hopes and own ways of contributing to their hometown.
In the years following his graduation from Quoc Hoc, Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho held various positions in the government, including Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee. The ‘Green Sunday’ movement, launched in 2019, was one of the hallmarks associated with his tenure. It encouraged people to join hands in protecting the environment through practical actions in their own neighborhoods.
In a conversation at Quoc Hoc, when asked about his dream for Hue, he not only spoke about construction projects, the urban landscape, and development goals, but also placed greater emphasis on the people’s quality of life, a peaceful society, as well as a more approachable and friendly government. Having met students on many occasions, he often shared stories about the history, culture, and difficult periods, hoping the younger generations would understand and cherish the values built up in their hometown, and find greater motivation to study. “We want to inspire them to dream of carrying Hue’s dreams forward, so that Hue’s people can live more prosperously; Hue’s society can be more peaceful, and Hue’s government can be more friendly,” said Mr. Tho.
For Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, his contributions to Hue are reflected in medical training, scientific research, and university management. As a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, he has spent many years teaching, conducting research, and engaging in international cooperation. Hue has strengths in higher education and specialized healthcare, but leveraging these strengths requires a high-quality workforce, a favourable research environment, and access to new scientific advances. Through training, research, and international cooperation, he and his team of lecturers and scientists have helped improve the quality of the workforce, create better conditions for Hue to develop its areas of strength and attract talent.
If Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy is dedicated to training generations of doctors and scientists, Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao applies his professional expertise directly to patient care at Hue Central Hospital. After years of studying and conducting research in Japan and gaining exposure to advanced medical techniques abroad, he chose to continue developing his career in his hometown.
After 130 years, Quoc Hoc has seen many generations of students grow up and achieve success in various fields. The stories of Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, and Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Thai Bao are only three of many journeys that began at this school. Looking back on their school years, they still remember the guidance of their teachers, the bonds of friendship, and the values nurtured during their time as students. They are also inspiring examples for future generations of Quoc Hoc students, who will go on to write beautiful and meaningful stories in life.