Reporter: What is your most remarkable memory of Christmas at Ams?

Vũ Hiền Thảo - 11 English 1: For me, this year's celebration is perhaps the most exciting one at Ams after years of the pandemic, and we didn't have a Christmas tree back then. This year, our school plotted a huge tree in the main hall, which brightened the atmosphere considerably, especially since everyone has been eagerly “checking in” at the tree since the start of December.

Nguyễn Lê Hiểu Văn - 11 I.T.: My first Celebration of “X-mas” at Ams was back when I was a 6th grader and studying under foreign English teachers. The teachers were full of beans and even gave us Christmas presents in the form of riddles and games themed around the Christmas holiday. The presents, though small, meant a lot to me.

The students happily posing with the Christmas tree

Reporter: What are your plans for Christmas this year?

Nguyễn Đình Anh - 11 Physics 2: Honestly, I've never been as busy on Christmas as I am this year, since normally, I would have been done with all of my tests already and I would be able to put my feet up. However, because I'm preparing for Ams' Got Talent with martial arts club this year, I have to go to practice non-stop, so my plan for Christmas is to simply spend the entire day with the club to make the best preparations for a perfect performance.

Đình Anh and other members of Hanoi Amsterdam Martial Arts Club (HAMAC) practicing hard for the upcoming final round of the show Ams' Got Talent

Trương Bảo Hân - 11 English 2: This Christmas, I hope to spend some time on myself after all those stressful weeks just revising for the final exams of the first semester and working on deadlines after deadlines. I want an entire day to unwind, take a breather and tune out things that distract me. Plus, New Year is approaching, so I want to look back on the year that I've had, appreciate the things that I have and learn from my regrets. Furthermore, I want to give myself a try at a new challenge - baking cakes for my friends and family.

Reporter: When someone says “Christmas at Ams”, what is the first thing that you think of?

Nguyễn Hoàng Phương Anh - 11 Geography: When I think of Christmas at Ams, I think of “sweetness” – the sweetness of friendship, of the rapport between teachers and students, and of love. (laughs) The last few days, I've been surfing the news on social media, and I've seen so many people tag each other to express their gratitude for the pretty pastries that they've received (I'm also one of those people) that I can clearly feel the warmth of everyone's love in this 10°C weather. People usually bake pastries themselves or order them through an event called The Merry Express of Ams Baking Club and Humans of Hanoi – Amsterdam to give to people. No matter the gift, I think that everyone at Ams is lovely. Ams’ Christmas is great!

Students gifting each other pastries and letters through The Merry Express

Nguyễn Lê Hiểu Văn - 11 I.T.: I immediately think of the end of the year when all tests are taken and we get to watch movies with the teachers. I usually sneak away to play football with my friends in those times. The most memorable thing is still the Christmas atmosphere at Ams, when everyone's giving each other presents and dressing in the white, green, and red of warmth.

Reporter: What do you usually eat at the canteen during this season?

Nguyễn Hải Phong - 11 History: No matter the season, I always eat everything in the canteen: from banh mi, sticky rice, and ramen, to dumplings, soda, and ice cream, along with other things. I think a lot of people eat hot food in winter like banh mi, sticky rice, and ramen, but I like ice cream and cold drinks sometimes. Maybe it's because I'm addicted to the food here!

Nguyễn Diệu Linh - 10 History: Be it winter or summer, I'll always stick to my sticky-rice-with-smoked-beef-and-egg routine at the canteen. When you’re in the cold, a hot bowl of sticky rice really is the best thing ever!

Reporter: Aside from the cold, do you also feel empty with all that “smooching” happening around you? (laugh)

Trương Bảo Hân - 11 English 2: Definitely! PDA is Ams' specialty, and I’m not even mentioning the freezing cold weather and my 16 years of solitude. I'm not exactly desperate, but seeing everyone gifting each other pastries and people canoodling everywhere from the canteen to the football pitch, sometimes, I wish I had a lover, too. Hopefully, Santa will have heard my woes and will give me a special present this year - a boyfriend on Christmas Eve.

Vũ Hiền Thảo - 11 English 1: Oh my God, yes! (laughs) Although I am a bit shattered inside with all this loneliness, I also feel quite happy for my friends who have found for themselves love. Ams' specialty is surely PDA, which only ever increases in frequency during winter. I'm a bit sick of it everywhere, let me tell you. The weather's cold enough already, why make me feel that cold on the inside, too?

Reporter: Is there anything new for Christmas at Ams this year?

Nguyễn Diệu Linh - 10 History: As a student who has studied in the school for nearly 5 years, the novelty of Ams' Christmas lies in the beautifully decorated Christmas tree at the front hall. Normally, the school wouldn't put one up, but this year, we have two whole trees! We were able to freely take pictures and pose next to the tree for some gorgeous and memorable pictures on the Christmas of 2022.

Phan Tú Linh - 11 Physics 2: To prepare our gifts, the whole physics faction prepared and wrapped pastries together in three days at the house of the President. We poured our hearts into every step, from wrapping the gifts up to writing the cards. Although some people were not very skilled with their works, we can all say that these tiny gifts to other factions just before the NHAT finals were from the bottom of our hearts.

Members of 11 Physics 2 posing next to the Christmas trees with their colorful gifts

Reporter: You are given one wish for Christmas. What do you wish for?

Vũ Hiền Thảo - 11 English 1: At the moment, I'm pretty content with what I have so far, so if I were given a wish, I would grant it to my family and friends. My wish would be for my loved ones to have a happy and felicitous Christmas holiday. Especially for people of my age who are shouldering so much stress from their studying right now—I wish you all a relaxing Christmas, carefree and full of laughter!

Nguyễn Hải Phong - 11 History: The days that I spend at Hanoi - Amsterdam are about to run out. After graduating, I also have plans to attend a university abroad so it will be quite hard for me to return to Ams once more. After seven years attached to Ams, everything here feels like home to me and I think I will eventually feel blue and lost in the near future, when I will have to part with the wonderful time I've made under this school. Because of that, if I were granted a wish, I would want to be able to be in Ams for a little longer so that I can enjoy, even for just a little more, the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of Ams during every holiday, eat the delicious food at the canteen, and be accompanied by  incredible teachers, flavors unique to Ams and can be found nowhere else!

Thank you all so much for sharing your unique perspectives on this holiday with Ams Wide Web and the readers. On behalf of the editorial board of Ams Wide Web, we wish you all a merry special Christmas beside your loved ones!

Translator: Phan Khánh An - English 1 2225

Image: Self-provided