Wishing the teacher a Happy New Year by sending a text message or via social media.

Sir, how has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the perception of visiting teachers on the third day of Tet (Lunar New Year)?

Traditionally, during the Lunar New Year holiday, students often visit their teachers – those who have guided them, imparted knowledge, experience, and skills to help them grow and become more confident in life. Students visit their teachers to wish them a Happy New Year, meeting them in person, shaking hands, sharing stories and feelings, strengthening the bond between them. Therefore, the spiritual value is very important, even more important than the material value – the gifts that students bring to their teachers.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for teachers and students to meet in person. Therefore, students could wish their teachers a Happy New Year through various other methods such as text messages, sending greetings via social media, having gifts delivered by mail, or through other intermediary channels. For many teachers, it's not the gifts the students bring that matter; simply meeting their students and hearing them remember the holiday makes them very happy.

Professor Pham Hong Long and his colleagues visited former faculty members of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi to extend New Year greetings.

For you, when did the tradition of visiting teachers to wish them a Happy New Year begin?

I don't remember exactly when I started visiting my teachers during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), but it was probably when I was in elementary school. I was born into a family of educators; my father and older sister are teachers, and my older brother used to be a teacher as well. Our parents always taught us not only to show kindness and gratitude to the teachers who guided us, but also to those who helped us in life.

My father used to be a teacher and the principal of a vocational school (later upgraded to a college). He was a very virtuous man, always genuinely helping others. He retired in 2000, but every year many former officials, students, and even some who are now city chairmen and department directors still come to our house to wish us a Happy New Year.

My father's virtue and genuine concern for his students had a profound impact on his children. This also goes to show that it's normal for students to visit and wish them a Happy New Year while they're still teaching; sometimes students are afraid of their teachers, thinking they're still there to teach them. But for a teacher with a sincere heart, who knows how to show affection and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of education, retirement is the stage where they truly demonstrate how they've lived in the hearts of others.

I believe my father's past actions have influenced me. Therefore, as a lecturer, I dedicate myself wholeheartedly to my work and always try to assist my colleagues and students as much as possible.

Building a two-way relationship helps to strengthen the teacher-student bond.

As the Head of Department, and also directly teaching undergraduate students and supervising graduate students, do you have many touching memories about Tet (Lunar New Year) for teachers?

It's true that I have many memories of students visiting their teachers during Tet (Lunar New Year). Just yesterday afternoon, a student from Thach That district, who is pursuing a double degree, called and said she wanted to come to my house to wish me a Happy New Year. I advised her against it because the distance was too far and the journey would be difficult. However, she still rode her motorbike more than 40 km to my house to wish me a Happy New Year and brought some packets of homemade sticky rice candy. I was truly touched by her gratitude, even though I only taught her two subjects and supervised her internship, occasionally encouraging her to complete her studies and graduate.

Head of Tourism Studies Pham Hong Long, along with former students, distributed gifts to support students who remained at the university during the Covid-19 outbreak in April 2020.

I also have a graduate student who has been working in Ho Chi Minh City (originally from An Giang province) for the past ten years. Every Tet (Lunar New Year), she calls to wish me well and sends me dried goods (dried fish, dried squid) – which the locals there only give to those they truly value. Honestly, sometimes I feel embarrassed by my student's constant affection and gratitude, while as a lecturer I can't help them much.

Can you tell us why many students, even long after graduating, still remember to wish us a Happy New Year and send gifts?

- As I mentioned above, I was born into a family of educators and received guidance from my parents, so my influence on students is quite significant. In class, I am an extremely strict teacher, always punctual, and sometimes even arrive early. In each lecture, I always give my all, passionately inspiring my students to love their profession, their field of study, and each subject.

Outside of class, I'm like an older brother or uncle to graduate students; with undergraduates, I'm like a father figure, speaking in a relaxed, approachable, and friendly manner. I'm always closely involved with students in youth union and student association activities, volunteer work, and even providing financial support for their activities. For students from disadvantaged backgrounds, I sometimes find ways to provide financial assistance or mobilize financial support so they can focus on their studies.

Mr. Pham Hong Long participated in providing feedback on the draft political report of the Hoa Binh Provincial Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term.<

Nowadays, with comprehensive educational reforms, students have become the center. When parents and students visit their teachers during Tet (Lunar New Year), does it mean they still value their teachers as they did in the past?

- When students are at the center, it's a two-way interactive relationship. The saying "Without a teacher, you can't achieve anything" reflects the relationship between students and teachers. But without students, teachers can't achieve anything either. Therefore, if we always think of holidays and festivals as a one-way street (students visiting teachers for holidays and gifts), it won't be sustainable. It must stem from a relationship where the teacher brings certain value to the students; this could be value in terms of knowledge, ethics, or spirit, such as inspiring students with a passion for learning and work. Only then will the two-way relationship make the teacher-student bond more enduring.

Thank you, teacher!