"Old color"

The first time I set foot in Hanoi was on a rainy afternoon. The rain blurred the autumn of Hanoi. The rain entangled the sadness of the streets. One day in late August four years ago, I walked alone through the old green painted iron gate of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi to take the entrance exam for the school's Office Management faculty (previously the faculty was part of the school's Archival Science and Office Management Faculty). Before that, I had notI was in a panic for a week when I learned that I had been admitted to the National Academy of Public Administration, but I still decided to take the exam here, perhaps because of my fate with literature, or perhaps the name of Hanoi University of Culture left a great impression on me. Because both of my older sisters also graduated from this school and went to work, being exemplary local district union officials. My parents also graduated from Nhan Van School. It can be said that my family is a "Humanistic" family in many ways.

The School of Humanities is located near the Khuat Duy Tien intersection, and right next to a noisy, bustling avenue - Nguyen Trai. A scene completely different from what I had thought before. But then, as if suddenly understanding Humanities, I realized that it was still slowly walking along the bustling streets, wearing itself the ancient pale yellow coat of time, making people feel peaceful and serene.

Approaching the school, the big words University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU standing proudly on top of the school management building caught my eyes. My first impression was that big word, not only at that time but also during the four years studying at the Faculty of Office Management and maybe forever after. Letting our feet step down the slope at the front of the school gate, when we look up, that word appears right before our eyes as if reminding us every day according to its name. It makes us proud.

Another summer is coming, making people a little worried and it seems that the worry is increasing day by day. Because right at that school, that small space is full of memories, full of love with friends and teachers during the four years I studied.

The Basic Principles of Marxism-Leninism was probably the first general subject I liked to study the most because I felt the good things and noble ideals in Mr. Binh's lectures. He was small but exuded agility and humor. We always felt comfortable in every class he taught. Few people could do that like he did with us "dumb" literature students because Philosophy is one of the most difficult subjects to digest.

Then there are the hours of Scientific Research Methodology with Ms. Huong Giang. She not only teaches book knowledge and how to do research papers, but she also teaches lessons on being a good person.

I still remember November 22, the Blood Donation Festival of the entire Nhan Van University. It can be said that this was the happiest day of my student life. From early morning, everyone was bustling and excited to prepare for a festival that takes place every 4 months. The Shock Team, the Blood Team and students in the school created a very meaningful festival "Nang Hong Nhan Van". It was also the first time I had the chance to try donating my blood, a noble act that I always told myself that when I passed the university entrance exam, I would definitely do it. It was truly a meaningful day right in the middle of the school campus. A day of Nang Hong Nhan Van at the Hanoi Nhan Van University.

Then the exam season, the green Humanities, volunteering with the green shirt of the Humanities School, the art festivals... All will be the luggage that will follow me throughout this life. All will give me more confidence to step firmly into life. All will make me calm, soothe the hustle and bustle of urban life with the fierce daily whirlpool of food, clothing, and money every time I remember that beloved school.

Time is like “a dove’s shadow passing through the window”. Four years passed in the blink of an eye. Once, in my first year, a classmate and I took a bus to the SOS Children’s Village to visit Hanoi and learn about the lives of the children there. An old lady, in her sixties, asked us:

- Where are you going?

I replied:

- We went to SOS Children's Village!

The aunt asked again:

- Are you student volunteers?

- Yes!

My friend next to me quickly replied.

- So which school are you two students?

Without hesitation, my friend said:

- We are students of Foreign Trade University!

After saying that, my friend seemed very pleased. He had to be a student of Foreign Trade or Polytechnic, Construction, Medicine and Pharmacy to be worthy, but if he said he was a student of Humanities, he seemed embarrassed. Many of my friends in school and in class had the same inferiority complex. In my opinion, that was a wrong concept. Every school has its own unique characteristics and students from every school have their own talents, abilities and strengths, so there is no need to be shy or embarrassed when saying which school they are attending.

At that moment, I quickly corrected:

- No, we are students of the University of Humanities!

At that time, not only did I not feel ashamed, I also felt proud that I was a student of the Faculty of Humanities. My friend next to me turned pale with shame for lying to his aunt, but she remained calm and said:

- When I was young, I was a student at the University of General Sciences, the predecessor of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities today. You don't have to be ashamed of studying at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, but you should feel proud. That was a good environment, an environment that trained the best cultural cadres in the past. The school not only taught dry knowledge in books but also taught how to be a human being, as its name suggests.

At that moment, I felt an indescribable feeling of pride and saw a bright future waiting for me. No matter where I go in the future, I will always be proud of being a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and will always say only one sentence: “I am a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – VNU Hanoi” whenever someone asks about my student days.