Runner-up in the 2026 Cultural and Tourism Ambassador Contest: Each student is an ambassador carrying the image of VNU-USSH to a wider audience.

Student Nguyen Thi Hong with her runner-up medal.

Local stories become tourism experiences.

Choosing to recreate the Đồng Khởi Uprising along with the image of the coconut tree in combat, daily life, and tourism activities, Nguyễn Thị Hồng and the Echoes of the Coconut Land team, with members being students from the North, Central, and South regions, brought an emotionally rich theatrical performance to the Final Round. From a familiar image of the Bến Tre region, the coconut tree was placed in many aspects of local life, linked to historical stories and cultural values ​​continued in tourism activities.

This choice allowed the team not only to highlight local symbols but also to place cultural stories into an experiential journey. Through this, the group wanted to convey a meaningful message to young people: "Tourism is the wind that carries cultural stories higher and further." For the female students, the value of local culture lies not only in preserved historical documents but can also be transformed into vivid experiences and continue to be told in ways suitable for young people.

The moment when "Echoes of the Coconut Land" was announced as the runner-up became a memorable milestone in the journey of this female student from the Faculty of Tourism Studies. Receiving the title with joy, Nguyen Thi Hong shared that it was the result of the collective effort being fully rewarded, and more importantly, the bond between the members to continue working together in the future.

The "Echoes of the Coconut Land" team performed at Tam Chuc National Tourist Area.

Lessons learned from the lecture hall, milestones on the journey.

As a K69 student majoring in Tourism and Travel Service Management, Nguyen Thi Hong found that the knowledge she gained at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities directly supported her participation in the competition. The general knowledge courses, specialized courses on culture, tourist destinations, and soft skills classes helped this young student develop ideas for everything from the theatrical performance to the project presentation and debate.

The female student also said that her journey in participating in the competition was supported and encouraged by her teachers and friends from the Faculty of Tourism Studies. In particular, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hue directly assisted, advised, and answered questions about in-depth knowledge of Culture and Community Tourism.

Furthermore, the spirit of encouraging creativity, coupled with proactive support from the humanities educational environment, has created a solid foundation for students to confidently challenge themselves, maximize their individual abilities, and shine in major competitions.

Teachers and students from the Faculty of Tourism Studies came to cheer on the contestants at the competition.

Spreading the spirit of dedication among humanities students.

Besides the runner-up title, Nguyen Thi Hong's academic journey is also marked by many achievements: First Prize in Scientific Research at the University and Faculty levels in the 2025-2026 academic year, an international publication at the International Conference on Tourism Innovation and Management 2026, academic achievement scholarships from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for two consecutive semesters, and the title of "Excellent Student" at the University level in the 2024-2025 academic year. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Student Union of the Faculty of Tourism Studies and the Head of the E4T (English for Tourism) academic club.

Behind these achievements lies a journey of continuous self-improvement and challenge. Through this, Nguyen Thi Hong wants to send a message to all humanities students, especially the new students: "Each of us is an ambassador carrying the name of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities far and wide." Be confident in the knowledge imparted by your teachers, dare to give yourself a chance to try, and don't be afraid of setbacks, because no one knows where the stage will be where you can shine. Even if it's a test, daring to step out of your comfort zone can help you discover hidden aspects of yourself. And as for failures, if you reflect and learn from them, they will become lessons for change and progress.

From the stage of the 2026 Cultural and Tourism Talent Incubator to her academic achievements and extracurricular activities, each experience has given Nguyen Thi Hong new lessons on her journey to maturity. Therefore, the title of Runner-up is not only a memorable milestone but also opens up opportunities for this K69 student to continue challenging herself, learning, and pursuing her journey with the spirit of a humanities student.