JO: Is there anything special that makes you choose and decide to stick to Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted?

Ms. Nhung: In fact, I applied to Ams because of the long-standing reputation, but until now, only a few years after being wth the teachers and students and witnessing how all the rumors about the school were true, I decided to stay here forever. (Laughter) It's all about the excellence in academic achievement, the dynamism in extracurricular activities, and the most important thing - confidence without arrogance, the activeness in relationships and the capability in various situations. Maybe that's what's holding me back at Ams whether it's the present, the past or the future.

Ms. Nhung’s elegant look in the ao dai

JO: Do you think the current generation of students is much different from the past, and how is it different?

Ms. Nhung: They are worlds apart from each other. In the 4.0 industrial era, or even 5.0 or 6.0 in the future, students today are exposed to many newfangled things. It's not just about the technological progress; it's also about the living attitude. I can now see that you students are more active, confident, breaking many outdated streotypes and having clear goals for life. But it's not that there's no dark side. This excessive expansion of socialization is the cause for many students to have deviant thoughts that do not conform to the customs or religion. As a result, there have been a number of regrettable events.

JO: So what do you expect from future generations of students?

Ms. Nhung: Of course I do look forward to them. I hope you'll go further, not only in Vietnam, but also internationally, to make a name for yourselves; at that moment, you'll be proud to have the opportunity to raise the Vietnamese flag, to be a kid who grew up in this dear Ams school. Well, I have another great desire my students, and my wish is that Amsers would achieve not only countless academic achievements but also countless athletic achievements. I want us to prove that the students of 1 Hoang Minh Giam are all-rounder citizens of both mind and power, and I know that my dream is extremely feasible for talented students like you guys.

Ms. Nhung in her lesson

JO: Many argue that students only choose the school as a place to develop academic achievements and not apply knowledge to the future. What do you think of this opinion?

Ms. Nhung: As a maths teacher, I think this view is not unfounded. Some knowledge at high school as well as university does not really come to be useful for future work. However, studying is by no means unnecessary. It is the state curriculum that has shaped you students’ abilities to analyse with mathematics, use words and communicate with literature and learn about practical knowledge with geography, physics, etc.Not to mention, important skills such as rational time management and ettiquette with teachers and friends have also been learned thanks to the learning environment. The important thing is that you know how to develop and apply it in a way that will benefit the future, right?

JO: Finally, as the 20/11 occasion is approaching, do you have any words for students of the whole school?

Ms. Nhung: I hope that you will be more hardworking at school, in extracurricular activities and develop more healthy relationship. Especially for grade 10, who have suffered a great deal because of the inability to attend school due to the epidemic Covid-19; nevertheless, I believe that with your confidence, humility, and creativity, there will be no challenges that can make Amsers give up. This will be the opportunity for you to show your capability to adapt to different situations. I will meet you guys someday soon, and when that day comes, we will be proud of what has been achieved during this time.

JO: Thank you so much for joining today's interview. I wish you a lot of health, joy, and continuous success in your human cultivation career!

Through the sharing of Ms. Pham Thi Hong Nhung, a young, cheerful math teacher at Hanoi- Amsterdam school, we somehow have the chance to understand and see each teacher’s commitment in delivering not only knowledge but also mentality to us students. On the occasion of Vietnamese Teacher's Day on November 20th, Ams Wide Web would like to send best wishes to teachers, and we hope that they will always be healthy and devoted to their educational careers!

JO: Pham Le Hong Minh - Literature 2124

Photos: Ms. Nhung’s Facebook

Translator: Ngan Ha - Russian 21-24