Hanoi’s 10 outstanding young faces at the commending ceremony

Reporter (R): Hi! How do you feel after knowing that you are one of Hanoi’s top 10 outstanding young faces of 2020?

Manh Quan: I am utterly surprised to have this honor as I am still a student. Receiving this title, along with me is Assoc. Prof. Pham Chien Thang, a person with admirable scientific research. This gave me more determination to study and never stop improving myself to deserve this title. I also feel glad as my effort made studying and practicing diligently is all worth it. 

R: As we know, you participated in many national and even international contests. With which one did you have the most remarkable and unforgettable memories?

Manh Quan: To me, every contest is a remarkable and emotional memory. Though, what may be unforgettable to me was times I got to go out with people from different countries where the contests took place. Not only do I have the opportunity to explore new and unique cultures but I also get to make a lot of foreign friends and learn great knowledge and manners. But that’s only when the contest ended; when the game was on, we got really competitive!

R: You won the most significant prize - the gold medal at IOAA 2019. Astrophysics plays an important part nowadays but is not actually popular and not yet massly taught in Vietnam schools. What difficulties did you encounter while studying this subject?

Manh Quan: The difficulties that I encountered came mainly from the lack of movements or competitions on astrophysics organized by student clubs or events organized by astrophysicists in Hanoi. I and my friends who share the same passion had to figure out a lot through the media or newspapers and famous scientists and astrophysicists’ studies. I am also thankful to the teachers for helping me in revising and finding out more about astrophysics.

Nguyen Manh Quan - Amser of Physics 1 18 - 21

R: The national high school exam is nearing and the last student months are coming to end. What plans and intentions are you having for yourself after graduation?

Manh Quan: After my high school graduation, I plan to study abroad and continue studying physics. To me, the prizes and experience are like a springboard helping orient me to staying focused in the subject I’m following. My teachers have always created favorable conditions for me and my fellow 18 - 21 friends by consulting and supporting us to build our post-graduate plans so I feel rather content and excited about my future plans.

R: Do you want to send a message to the next generations, especially people sharing the same passion with Physics?

Manh Quan: To the ones who are struggling to study Physics, I want to give you a piece of advice: try to solve as many exercises as possible and stay concentrated in listening to the teacher while you’re in class. Though you may feel dispirited sometimes when you see a complex definition or some lengthy maths calculations, there will always exist cool phenomena or experiments that make you fall in love even more deeply with the beauty of this subject. To the ones who have a great basis of physics or carry great passion with the subject, keep on pursuing it and try to find every single opportunity to develop your own ability, sometimes what you receive is really surprising and exceeds your expectations. Difficulties and challenges may be obstacles for you, but the way to the summit is always full of rocks and cliffs, isn’t it?

Thank you so much for the interview! AWW wishes you a lot of luck and we hope you will succeed with your future plans and never stop chasing your passion!

Reporter: Vu Pham Phuong Nhi - Literature 2023

Photos: Lao Dong (Labour) News, Vietnam News Agency, Hanoi Youth Union

Translator: Nguyen Minh Anh - Russian-English 1821