There are probably not many high schools in the world that are acknowledged and appreciated by international friends so much that each former "Amser" when studying at distinguished universities carries with them both pride and responsibility to live up to the name of Hanoi - Amsterdam. This is not only the pride of generations of students at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in particular but also the highlight of our country’s education in general.

Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted.

The history of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted is not as extensive as many other schools in the capital of Vietnam, but it has a remarkable significance and the school's reputation has reached many countries around the world. The people of Amsterdam (Netherlands) were eager to commiserate the losses of Hanoi’s citizens and join hands in rehabilitating the Capital after the brutal days of the war. The Mayor at that time, Dr I.Samkalden had an initiative that encouraged Amsterdam’s residents to donate and help Hanoi build a wonderful and adequate school with the hope that the students would restore the country after the victory day and serve the country better. On September 5, 1985, Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted officially opened its first school year. Since then, Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted has become a training ground for generations of excellent students in the capital and the nation’s supply of talents.

Our message, as well as mission, is: “Teachers and students of the school must continue the glorious chapters in our history, establishing the image of a school having both top-tier facilities and the education quality that can rival local and international high schools.” The prestigious medals in worldwide competitions, the escalating number of national excellent students and the names of famous former “Amsers”... have illustrated how students and teachers of Hanoi - Amsterdam fulfil that purpose.

“Amsers” are not only good at studying.

At this school, the blossoming potential in each student is nurtured and developed into proficiency. The best facilities are equipped to promote creativity, artistic and physical talents, soft skills, independence, interpersonal skills for teamwork and integration as well as mastering foreign languages for international communication.

Therefore, not only do they possess a profound and solid knowledge base, but “Amsers” also excel in social activities, the fields of art, physical training and sports, receiving many certificates of merit, medals, awards… domestically and globally. One will see how talented HNA students are when they visit the exclusively HNA’s activities organized by “Amsers” themselves such as “Ngay hoi anh tai”, “Made in 12”, “Folklore Festival”, “Reading Day” and many other club activities…

With that in mind, the experiences that “Amsers” obtain after years of studying under this school’s roof is not only noble titles, admission invitations from universities or valuable scholarships... but more importantly is a stable foundation of personality, knowledge, methods and skill sets to become competent citizens in the future.

The Vietnamese team competes in the 2021 International Mathematical Olympiad, Do Bach Khoa (of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted) stands in the middle.

The biggest difference between Hanoi - Amsterdam School and other schools.

The goal of teaching students to graduate, get admission to university or have scholarships to study abroad, is not too important to the school even though the annual university pass rate is up to 95%. The primary pursuits of our school are: constituting an open education model, complying with the standards of a top-quality high school, and at the same time striving to inaugurate the most advanced educational method, centering on students, replacing training with self-training, always updating education sciences advancements and technology to enrich the teaching content and approaches. Ams spirit: “learn hard, play hard” has thoroughly seeped into the students’ minds, so despite being a specialized school, HN-Ams has the most comprehensive education quality.

Nguyen Hong Hanh Nga shared her sentiments when she became the second “Amser” to receive a scholarship from the esteemed Harvard University: “All I have achieved is thanks to Ams. Without Ams, I would not have been able to be presented with these learning opportunities. Even my identity and personality today are shaped by Ams. The energetic environment here motivates me to follow and perfect myself, aiming to be like the predecessors I used to admire.” This is perhaps the dream all Amsers have in common.

Disclosing the secrets of the school's success, teacher Tran Thuy Duong —  Principal of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted said: “Education is always the core ideal that determines the development of our country, promoting the stature and prestige of our nation. Therefore, educators of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in particular and the whole country in general have to shoulder a great duty for the cause of “growing people”, nurturing talents for our country’s future. With those sacred obligations, over the past 36 years, the teachers under the roof of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted have zealously taught and guided generations of students to become productive members of society. It is the hard work of many teachers that writes the dazzling chapters of a forerunner in cultivating intellectuals for the Capital and the country using modern educational methods. For the past years, our school has continuously achieved outstanding accomplishments in contests for excellent students of all grades and international Olympic competitions. The ceaseless efforts of the teachers have steadily affirmed the duty of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, a school at the forefront of Hanoi capital.”

After more than 36 years of progress, with its achievements, Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted has won the emulation flag of the City for many consecutive years, in 2020 won the emulation flag of the Government; Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Education and the Central Committee of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. Above all, generations of parents and students have placed their trust in the school’s education quality. They have given full confidence to the school in discovering and fostering Hanoi's talents. The schools’ students have been and will be the elite human resources of the knowledge economy, making great contributions to facilitating industrialization and modernization of the country.

(Nguoi Ha Noi)