2021 - YEAR OF THE OX: TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE
The first peach blossoms have bloomed, spreading the beautiful shade of pink throughout the mountains and forests of the Tay Bac region, lingering in each alley of Hanoi, reaching even the island frontiers and every small, cozy home. The Spring of 2021 comes along with the signature chilly weather at the beginning of the year in the North, knocking on the hearts of every Hanoi resident, every student of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School.
As Tet draws near, each child, each student eagerly counts the days left until the Tet holiday. Finally saying goodbye to strenuous exercises, even 16- and 17-year-olds look forward to keeping watch of the rice cake pot, walking down the street, while trying to estimate how much lucky money they would receive this year. However, as Tet draws near this year, the previously-arranged meetings and gatherings to go out on New Year’s Eve, to join in the new year countdown suddenly cannot happen. The school’s final lessons became online lessons. Behind closed windows were only empty classrooms.
Tet coming near also marks the departure of the old year, with many memories, hardship, and experiences. In Hanoi - Amsterdam High School, teachers and students have overcome a turbulent 2020 together, welcomed the new Amsers’ class of 20-23, and made countless novel accomplishments. In the year 2020, along with the whole country, the teachers and students of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted has contributed to the prevention and control of the pandemic, while ensuring the quality of teaching as well as the safety of extracurricular events and activities, creating a very special school year for each Amser.
2020 marks a myriad of major changes around the world, in Vietnam in general and in Hanoi - Amsterdam High School in particular. As this year is coming to an end, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the teachers who steered their students across the river of knowledge regardless of the numerous obstacles. During this year’s Tet holiday, our whole nation will continue to work together to overcome the pandemic and strive towards a brighter future ahead of us.
There are still many difficulties lying ahead, no one knows when life will return to its normalcy. On the New Year’s Eve of 2021 - a very special Tet - I wish us all a moment of peace, a memorable something in the old year ridden with turbulences as well as a gleam of hope for the future. I wish the teachers and all students of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School a peaceful and happy Tet holiday and a prosperous new year.
Reporter: Pham Bao Thai An - Literature Class 2023
Translator: Nguyen Quynh An - English Class 1 2023
