Yi Fang gave a speech at the graduation ceremony and received the valedictorian award for Vietnamese Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
In a conversation with a reporter from the Vietnamese Student Section of Tien Phong Newspaper, Fang introduced herself: “My Vietnamese name is Luong Dich Phuong, I was born in 2002, so I am 23 years old this year. I am very honored and proud to receive the certificate of valedictorian and outstanding achievement in Vietnamese Studies.”
I'm someone who always loves myself and makes sure everything I do is satisfying. Therefore, I have many hobbies to enrich my life and spirit, such as watching movies, traveling, listening to music, listening to stories, and talking with friends.
Fang grew up in Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, which borders Cao Bang Province in Vietnam. From a young age, she heard stories about Vietnam and its people, and was always fascinated and eager to learn more. After graduating from high school in 2020, she expressed her desire to study in Vietnam and received support from her family.
Yi Fang at her hometown in China.
The female student spent a year familiarizing herself with and learning basic Vietnamese before starting university in September 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fang's university journey began with cross-border online lectures. This was a crucial stage for learning pronunciation, which requires a lot of interaction, so her learning was significantly affected by internet quality, computer equipment, and time zone differences.
"When the internet connection was poor, I couldn't hear what the teacher was saying, and the teacher didn't know if my pronunciation was correct. Or when the teacher was teaching pronunciation, I couldn't distinguish sounds like d/t, e/ê due to the influence of the device or the internet," Fang recalled.
Because she studied online, she didn't have an environment to immerse herself in the language, so her Vietnamese skills were still poor at that time. But in the face of difficulties, Fang learned to be patient, adaptable, and stronger. By 2022, despite many strict regulations, she was very happy and excited to be able to go to Vietnam to study in person.
Yi Fang wore traditional attire on her university graduation day.
Fang's years as a student abroad were closely associated with Building B7 Bis on Tran Dai Nghia Street, which housed the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, and was also a familiar place for foreigners wanting to learn Vietnamese in Hanoi. Building B7 Bis was also the venue for many diverse activities of the department, especially the annual International Cultural Festival. This is one of Fang's most memorable experiences, as she had the opportunity to introduce Chinese culture to Vietnamese and international friends, enjoy unique dishes, and learn more about the cultures of different countries.
“My dorm is very convenient and close to my department. My roommates and the staff are all friendly, and I feel at home. Everyone in the dorm is an international student, and we all receive the same support, so I haven't had any significant difficulties. They also often ask me about Chinese culture,” Fang shared.
Besides the Lunar New Year, Fang usually visits home during school breaks such as winter and summer holidays. The journey by road takes about 8 hours. Because travel is convenient, she wanted to invite her family to Vietnam for a vacation and to attend her graduation ceremony, but due to work commitments, she had to decline.
Yi Fang wrote calligraphy as gifts for friends at the International Cultural Festival held at the Department of Vietnamese Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities during Tet in 2024.
Besides language courses, Fang particularly enjoyed specialized courses on Vietnamese culture. These courses helped her gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam and the application of the Vietnamese language in various fields. Fang's undergraduate thesis topic was titled "Politeness Strategies in Praise and Criticism Between Mother and Child: A Comparison of 'Super Mom' (China) and 'Super Mom' (Vietnam) Programs," under the supervision of Dr. Vu Lan Huong at the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language.
Fang said that, outside of school, she enjoys watching movies and reality shows. She observed some differences in the concepts of educating and training children in Vietnamese and Chinese family cultures, and was very curious about this. During the process of completing her thesis, Fang researched some similarities and differences in the polite strategies used by Chinese and Vietnamese mothers in praising and reprimanding children.
Speaking fluently in Vietnamese at her graduation ceremony, Feng said that her four years of studying in Vietnam had given her invaluable experiences: from mastering a new language – Vietnamese – to gaining a deep understanding of the unique traditional culture of the S-shaped country.
Experiencing the local rhythm of life each day, from steaming hot bowls of pho in the morning to late-night conversations over a beer on the sidewalk, has truly instilled in her the spirit of Vietnam. Especially the international friends who shared this journey with Feng – each bringing a fresh perspective, enriching her worldview.
Feng has now returned to China to rest after her time studying abroad. Her plan is to continue her studies to pursue a career in teaching Vietnamese or as a translator/interpreter.
"I hope that more Chinese people will learn about Vietnam and the traditional friendship between the two countries," Feng expressed.
Related articles:
The valedictorian's landmark trip as he delivers his graduation speech in English.
(SVVN) Meet the Chinese female student who graduated as valedictorian in Vietnamese Studies.
(VNE) Becoming valedictorian after dropping out of studying abroad.
The top student in Public Relations and the journey to achieving her dreams.
VNU-USSH Alumni: Secrets to Successfully Securing a Full Master's Scholarship in Europe
