Born into a poor family in Thuong Trung Commune, Vinh Tuong District, Vinh Phuc Province, Dang Thanh Thu faced adversity from birth. Born prematurely, she was confronted with a harsh reality—her eyes could not see the light. Her early years were spent in darkness—never seeing the sun, her mother’s smile, or the world around her. Thu always felt disconnected from her peers. Yet, the little girl never surrendered to fate.
As a kindergarten student, Thu once asked her mother and teacher, "Why can my friends run and play while I cannot?" This question reflected her deep desire to integrate into the world and experience life like other children. Faced with these difficulties, she decided to develop her other senses to compensate for her loss of sight. Her hearing, smell, and touch became the tools that helped her connect with the world and deeply perceive the worldit.
A turning point in Thu’s life came when she accidentally joined a music class in kindergarten. Despite her blindness, she was able to feel the melodies and lyrics of her classmates, igniting a deep passion for music. Every song and every note opened up a new world within her soul and gave her the strength to dream of becoming a singer. Recognizing her daughter’s passion, Thu’s mother brought home cassette tapes of singer Xuan Mai to inspire her even more.
To nurture her dream, Thu’s mother took her to a center run by the Blind Association of Vinh Phuc Province. There, as well as learning Braille, Thu faced new challenges—living away from her family, learning independence, taking care of herself, and adapting to a new environment. Every day was a lesson in self-reliance, pushing her beyond what seemed impossible. However, Thu never gave up. Step by step, she learned to stand on her own two feet.
Music remained the guiding light in Thu’s heart. She dreamed of studying vocal music at Vinh Phuc College of Culture and Arts. However, her family feared that as a visually impaired person, she would struggle to find stable employment after graduation.
Despite the opposition, Thu was determined to pursue her passion. However, when the college decided not to admit any more students due to a lack of applicants other than Thu, her dreams seemed shattered. But just when all hope appeared lost, encouragement from friends, teachers, and family helped her bounce back.
At the end of her senior year, an unexpected announcement from vocal music instructor Quynh Trang rekindled her hopes—the college reopened admissions to the vocal music program. This time, Thu seized the opportunity and passed the entrance exam with flying colors. The doors to professional music training had finally opened for her, marking a significant milestone in her journey.
Through relentless effort, Dang Thanh Thu is now a first-year student in the intermediate vocal music program at Vinh Phuc College. Every day, she continues to overcome challenges in her studies and vocal training. The road ahead remains long and full of obstacles, but she firmly believes in herself. After everything she has endured, Thu aspires to become a vocal music teacher—not only to share her passion but also to inspire young people, especially those with visual impairments and disabilities, to pursue their dreams.
Dang Thanh Thu’s story is a powerful reminder that passion and determination can break through any barrier. She said, "I want to tell visually impaired people and all people with disabilities that there is nothing you cannot do. Just look at life positively, smile every day, and love yourself".
Station of Love brings Thu’s story to the community—not just to honor the resilience of a visually impaired girl but to also inspire those facing adversity. Throughout the program, audiences will witness her inspiring journey, meet her parents, hear about her struggles and triumphs, and learn invaluable life lessons. Dang Thanh Thu has proven that one can overcome all odds to achieve dreams with passion, perseverance, and a strong heart.
Station of Love – "Never Give Up on Your Dreams" airs at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 8, 2025, on VTV1.
