"Old color"

My first time setting foot in Hanoi was on a rainy afternoon. A hazy autumn rain in Hanoi. Rain that veiled the city's melancholy. One day at the end of 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 Office Management department (formerly part of the Archival Studies and Office Management department). Before that...About a week after I learned I had been accepted into the National Academy of Public Administration, I still decided to apply there. Perhaps it was my destiny with literature, or perhaps the name Hanoi University of Culture left a strong impression on me. Both of my older sisters graduated from this university and are now working as exemplary local youth union officials. My parents also graduated from the Faculty of Humanities. One could say my family is a "Humanities" family in many ways.

The Faculty of Humanities is located near the Khuat Duy Tien intersection, right next to a bustling, noisy avenue – Nguyen Trai. It's a scene quite different from what I had imagined before. But then, as if suddenly understanding the Faculty of Humanities, I realized it still slowly moved along the busy streets, dressing itself in the pale yellow, antique cloak of time, making one feel truly peaceful and serene.

As I approached the campus, the large inscription "University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU" proudly displayed atop the campus building immediately caught my eye. That large inscription was my first impression, not only then, but throughout my four years studying in the Faculty of Office Management, and perhaps even in the future. As we descend the slope at the campus gate, looking up, that inscription is right there before us, reminding us every day of its true name. It fills us with pride.

Another summer is approaching, bringing with it a sense of anxiety, and that anxiety seems to be growing day by day. Because it is in that very school, that small space, that I've spent so many memories and feelings with friends and teachers throughout my four years of study.

The Fundamental Principles of Marxism-Leninism was perhaps the first general course I enjoyed the most because I felt inspired by the lofty ideals and beautiful life lessons taught by Professor Binh. He was small in stature but exuded a quick wit and humor. We always felt comfortable in every class he taught. Few people could do that for us "amateur" literature students, because philosophy is one of the most difficult subjects to digest.

Then there were the classes on Scientific Research Methodology taught by Ms. Huong Giang. She not only taught textbook knowledge and how to conduct research papers, but she also taught life lessons.

I still remember November 22nd, the Humanities University Blood Donation Day. It was arguably the happiest day of my student life. From early morning, everyone was bustling with activity, preparing for this event held every four months. The Volunteer Team, the Blood Donation Team, and the students of the university created a truly meaningful event, "The Pink Sunshine of Humanities." It was also my first time experiencing blood donation, a noble act I had always vowed to do once I got into university. It was truly a meaningful day right on campus. A Pink Sunshine of Humanities at the Humanities University in Hanoi.

Then there were exam seasons, the green Nhân Văn (Humanities) campus, volunteering wearing the school's green uniform, cultural and artistic events… All of these will be my companions throughout my life. All of them will give me more confidence to confidently move forward in life. All of them will bring me peace and solace in the hustle and bustle of urban life, with its fierce daily grind of making a living, whenever I remember that beloved school.

Time flies like a shadow. Four years passed in the blink of an eye, like a fleeting moment. Once, in my first year, I took a bus with a classmate to the SOS Children's Village, both to explore Hanoi and to learn about the lives of the children there. An elderly woman, around sixty years old, asked us:

Where are you kids planning to go?

I replied:

- We've come to the SOS Children's Village!

My aunt asked again:

Are you students volunteers?

- Yes!

My friend next to me quickly replied.

- So, which university are you two students from?

Without hesitation, my friend said:

- We are students from the Foreign Trade University!

After saying that, my friend seemed quite pleased with himself. He felt that only students from Foreign Trade University, Polytechnic University, Construction University, or Medical University were worthy of respect; admitting to being a Humanities student seemed embarrassing. Many of my friends in school and class share this same inferiority complex. In my opinion, that's a misconception. Every school has its own unique characteristics, and students from every school have their own talents, skills, and strengths. There's no need to be shy or embarrassed about mentioning your school.

At that moment, I quickly corrected myself:

- No, that's not it! We're students from the Faculty of Humanities!

At that moment, I not only felt no shame but also pride in being a student of the Faculty of Humanities. My friend next to me looked a little pale with embarrassment for lying to the aunt, but she remained calm and said:

- When I was young, I was a student at the University of Hanoi, the predecessor of the current University of Social Sciences and Humanities. You shouldn't be ashamed of studying at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; you should be proud. It was a good environment, a top-tier institution for training cultural cadres in the past. The school didn't just teach dry textbook knowledge; it also taught how to be a good person, as its name suggests.

At that moment, an indescribable feeling welled up inside me, mixed with pride, and I envisioned a bright future awaiting me. No matter where I go in the future, I will always be proud to be a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and will always say, "I am a student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi," whenever someone asks about my student life.