VSL Writers and Vietnam Letters 2018: The lingering echoes of beautiful emotions

The "VSL Writer and Vietnamese Letter Award 2018" ceremony was held at the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language.

"VSL Writing Contest and Vietnamese Letters 2018" is an annual writing competition organized by CMC for Vietnamese and international students both inside and outside the university. The contest aims to explore and celebrate the beauty of the Vietnamese language through writing and sharing stories, memories, and emotions that each person has experienced. This year, with 69 entries from Vietnamese and international authors, the contest showcased many high-quality submissions with interesting ideas and, most importantly, evoked beautiful emotions in the readers.

Letter from Vietnam: There is a Vietnam like that!

The "Vietnam Letter Contest 2018," themed "Vietnam Through My Eyes," received a positive and enthusiastic response from international students. 25 authors from 6 countries – China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Russia, and Poland – submitted entries in diverse forms: letters to mothers, letters to friends, accounts of experiences, and insightful and unique observations about their time living and studying in Hanoi. Notably, one foreign student even wrote poetry.

All the entries demonstrated the serious and respectful attitude of the writers towards the competition. The 25 entries were 25 heartfelt confessions about life in Vietnam, especially in Hanoi. The articles shared very honestly the difficulties foreigners face, such as the weather, traffic, differences in customs and traditions, lifestyles, and language barriers. But these difficulties did not discourage the participants. By striving to overcome them and integrate into their new lives in Vietnam, they gradually discovered the hidden beauty in the Vietnamese way of life. Many entries made interesting discoveries about Vietnamese cuisine and transportation – subtle observations that Vietnamese people, sometimes due to their familiarity with these things, might not notice. For example, one participant noticed a similarity between Vietnamese filter coffee and the Vietnamese people. The subtle aroma of filter coffee is likened to the "gentle smile of a Vietnamese person"...

The Russian students had just participated in an event at the Russian Cultural Center and returned in time to prepare for a cultural program with the song "Ka chiu sa".

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thien Nam(Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language) shared: "This competition is held every year, but every time I read the entries from foreign students, I am deeply moved. First of all, they write very honestly, describing both the good and bad aspects of their experiences with Vietnamese culture and lifestyle. Secondly, some students, who initially had only beginner-level Vietnamese language skills, have shown remarkable progress in their Vietnamese language proficiency through this competition. Therefore, I am very happy to see the results of the training process at the Department reflected in this competition."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities)

At the awards ceremony,Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan(The Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) shared: He was impressed with the first-prize winning essay by Naoko (Japan) when he happened to read it on the university's website. The essay captivated readers with its gentle, pure style and the author's subtle sensibilities: "Just reading the title, you know it's by a foreign student, but a foreigner using Vietnamese is even better than a native Vietnamese speaker!"

Naoko Kobayashi, the first-prize winner of the "Vietnamese Letter" contest, is reading a passage from her letter about the Vietnamese people's quality of "forgiveness."

Of course, there are still some awkward expressions, grammatical and spelling errors, but above all, the articles show genuine affection for Vietnam and its people. One author shared: "The most precious thing in Vietnam is human kindness." Another author shared the same thought: "There is so much to say about this beautiful country. But if I could only choose one word to describe Vietnam, I would choose 'affection'." Another foreigner wrote: "The space of Vietnam, besides its natural beauty, also contains a beauty of humanity..." Or there are sentences that bring tears to the reader's eyes: "I witnessed the most wonderful time of my youth, thank you Vietnam for giving me beautiful memories that I will never forget."

These articles help spread the message: Come to Vietnam, learn and experience life like the people here to discover that there is a Vietnam like this in the world!

VSL pen: the pure and intense emotions of youth.

Associate Professor Hoang Anh Tuan and representatives from the Dao Minh Quang Foundation presented the First Prize for "Vietnam Letter 2018" and the First Prize for "VSL Writer".

While the "Letters from Vietnam" contest awakened readers to the values ​​of Vietnamese culture, the "VSL Writers" contest entries were brimming with youthful spirit and aspirations. The 44 entries came not only from the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language but also from other faculties such as Literature, Linguistics, History, Oriental Studies, Management Science, Tourism Studies, and Sociology. The contest sparked creative inspiration and a love for the Vietnamese language that transcended the confines of the VSL campus.

Dr. Dang Hoang Giang- The competition secretary stated: "The appeal of this competition is proof of our shared hopes and aspirations for a humane and liberating academic future, beginning with the life stories of young people, with the creative inspiration and aspirations of youth, and with their ability to use a truthful, beautiful, pure, and trustworthy Vietnamese language with mastery, even skill."

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thien Nam presented the award for the most popular article to two authors.

Compared to last year, this year's competition features more profound confessions and nuanced, deeply moving perspectives on life and current events. Each entry is a charming self-reflection on the innocent romances of youth, filled with thoughtful memories such as: "Be braver, to walk through youth," "Youth is for missing out," "Who isn't confused in their youth?", "Not goodbye, but see you again"... There are also stories about the vibrant and passionate days at university, where each student experienced countless joys and contributed to the community in the color of volunteerism.

Some authors recount their rich youth to their readers: "My youth was spent searching for and empathizing with the youth of others, through each page of a book." Youth also leaves its mark in sincere dreams about teaching, literature, and side stories that awaken human emotions. Youth also takes on the form of "memories of yesterday" with boundless, honest confessions. Youth is also imprinted in a fictional space full of emotion through the image of "The Feet," with a sentimental story like a contemporary lyrical journalistic piece.

Two second prizes in the "VSL Writer" and "Vietnam Letter 2018" competitions.

“To my friend named ‘Youth.’ You are the second stage of my life. Like a wild, vibrant green meadow, full of life. Be sharp, thick, delicate, and intense—those are the most beautiful and innocent aspects of youth. As long as you become a true youth, providing me with enough preparation to step into the summer of life, full of sunshine and storms…” These words, from a student on the threshold of their first year of university, give us confidence in the distinctive and profound thinking of the young generation at the Faculty of Humanities.

Readers were also surprised by sentiments like this: “I’m young, and before I get old, I’ll do everything I want, regardless of right or wrong, even knowing that there will be times when I’ll regret it. Thank you, youth, for giving me the courage to do things I never thought I could do. Thank you, youth, for helping me grow, for pulling me out of the shell of old ideas. Thank you, youth, for letting me experience the most interesting things. Thank you, youth, for giving me faith in the future. You can visit Hanoi’s youth many times, but the youth of your life only comes to you once, just once.”

Two third prizes in the "VSL Writer 2018" and "Vietnam Letter 2018" competitions.

But we will be even more moved when we read another name for youth in the article "My Youth, I Call It Mom": "That's it, Mom used her entire youth, her whole life, just for her child. My youth was beautiful because of Mom, and it was only complete because of Mom. I just want to say that you shouldn't worry about searching for your youth far away, but start with the smallest things. Don't waste your youth, but realize the true value and true meaning of the youth you need to find, and live it fully, cherish it, and give your all for it. Youth is beautiful. Don't let it pass quickly and meaninglessly… My youth is Mom, and the days of my youth began with Mom's youth…"

Authors awarded the Encouragement Prize

As always, the "VSL Writing Contest and Vietnamese Letters 2018," though concluded, has left behind beautiful emotional echoes in the hearts of many. Beyond simply celebrating the Vietnamese language, the entries touched upon feelings of love and created beautiful moments of quiet reflection amidst the often hectic pace of everyday life. As Mr. Dao Van Hung (Deputy Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language) shared with the contestants: "We are not the ones who bring you the awards. It is you who have made us feel deservedly rewarded, as a place to open our greetings and hopes. Congratulations to the contest, congratulations to the contestants, and congratulations to us – the teachers and students of VSL – for a wonderfully successful competition season – a season of love, reflection, and heartfelt messages."

Results of the "Vietnam Letter Contest 2018"

• First Prize: Naoko Kobayashi (Japan)Vietnam in my eyes.
• Second Prize: Kim Ya Hoon (South Korea)Vietnam in my heart is...
• Third Prize: Elizarova Sofya (Russia).
• Honorable Mention:

Diana Tszya (Russia):Why did I decide to travel to Vietnam?

Hanae (Japan):Dear friends in Hanoi.

Jee Hyn Ha (South Korea):Vietnam in my eyes.

Seth (Thailand):Memories of Hanoi back then.

Star Spirit Era (China):Vietnam in my eyesi (Poetry).

• Most liked article: Seth (Thailand):Memories of Hanoi back then.

Results of the "VSL Writer 2018" competition

• First Prize: Vu Thi Tam (K61 Vietnamese Studies):My youth can be summed up in one word: "Mother".
• Second Prize: Le My Nhan (K61 Journalism and Communication):Because I'm still young.
• Third Prize: Tran Van Dao (K62 Vietnamese Studies):Youth – vibrant, rich, fragile, tender, and intense.
• Honorable Mention:

Pham Thi Dieu Thuy (K60 Linguistics):Memories of yesterday.

Bui Thi Diep Anh (K60 Oriental Studies):Youth.

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh (K61 Literature Education):The legs.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga (K61 Literature):What is your dream?

Hoang Thi Thuy (K60 Vietnamese Studies):My youth was spent immersed in books.

• Most liked article: Pham Thi Linh Linh (K61 Vietnamese Studies):My youth was…

http://www.ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Viet-Nam-qua-doi-mat-cua-mot-nguoi-Nhat-1-702-17097

http://www.ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Vi-minh-con-tre-1-702-17096

http://www.ussh.vnu.edu.vn/d6/vi-VN/news/Thanh-xuan-cua-toi-got-tat-la-Me-1-702-17106