With the theme “The Journey of Courage”, this month’s Take Off explored the true meaning of “Courage” - not merely the strength to overcome hardship, but the steadfastness to pursue one’s values and dreams. Throughout the program, audiences heard three real-life stories of how technology, knowledge, and passion were transformed into actions that served both the community and the nation.
Technology from the Heart
The first story was about a group of young innovators behind thongtincuuho.org, a platform born from compassion and quick action. During the devastating floods in Thai Nguyen, Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, Tu Tat Huan, and Long Dang noticed chaotic rescue information being shared on social media. Rather than standing by, they made the bold decision to turn their concern into immediate action.
In just four hours, the team successfully built thongtincuuho.org, integrating AI to automatically extract and verify information from social media. Within the first 24 hours, the website attracted more than 57,000 users. Tat Huan and Mai Anh explained that they had designed the system to collect data from publicly available posts. Through their story, the group sent a message to Gen Z: “Study deeply - but never forget to learn to create value for others”. Technology, they emphasized, only becomes meaningful when driven by empathy and aimed at solving real social problems. This embodies the courage and sense of purpose of a young generation that dares to use their expertise to bridge compassion and concrete action.
The Courage to Go Against the Tide
The second story took viewers into the realm of space science, guided by Pham Anh Tuan, Director General of the Vietnam National Space Center. After studying and working in Germany for 18 years, he faced a life-changing choice: whether to stay abroad or return home.
A German teacher once told him, “Don’t waste your potential, your horizon is much broader”. Inspired by this advice and by the book “The World Is Vast and There’s So Much to Do”, he chose the road less traveled, returning to Vietnam in 2006 to help pioneer the nation’s space technology. “If others can do it, why can’t we?” he recalled thinking.
Pham Anh Tuan and his team have tirelessly pursued their dream of taking Vietnam into space. Inspired by a suggestion from Professor Bob Twiggs (the father of the CubeSat satellite), the team successfully built PicoDragon, Vietnam’s first 1-kilogram “Made in Vietnam” satellite. After six years of dedication and experimentation, the satellite was successfully launched into orbit on October 19, 2013, transmitting the proud signal: “PicoDragon - Vietnam”. Over the past decade, the Vietnam National Space Center has developed modern infrastructure, trained a generation of highly qualified engineers. It is now preparing to launch the 600 kg SAR LOTUSat-1 satellite . Dr. Tuan shared an inspiring message: “Always nurture a pioneering spirit, dare to do what is new and difficult, create your own path, and never simply follow the crowd”.
The Courage to Persevere with Passion
The final story featured the young actor Phuong Nam, who is known for his leading role as Mr. Ta in the film Red Rain. His journey into acting was far from straightforward; he once skipped meals to save money for tuition. However, rather than giving up, he turned criticism into motivation.
As the valedictorian of the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, Phuong Nam achieved the rare feat of receiving five perfect scores for his graduation performance. “What I’m most proud of isn’t the title”, he said, “but that I’ve never allowed myself to waste a single day of learning.”
Although Phuong Nam faced multiple rejections for roles due to tight production schedules, he remained steadfast in his artistic philosophy, to truly “live as the character”, to observe, and to fully transform himself in every role. The feature film Red Rain presented him with the opportunity to realize that belief.
Phuong Nam shared that playing Ta felt like destiny. To embody the character, he lost 15 kilograms in two months through an intense training regimen. That discipline and determination helped him overcome even the most demanding scenes. “Passion isn’t something that flares up overnight; it’s a small flame that’s kept alive by daily perseverance,” Phuong Nam reflected.
Take Off - October painted a vivid portrait of Vietnamese courage, showcasing everything from young tech innovators saving lives, to a visionary scientist reaching for the stars and an artist who brings heart and authenticity to every role. Through these stories, the program conveyed a powerful truth: courage is the most precious asset, forged by proactivity, perseverance, and the determination. Being courageous means believing in something greater than oneself, acting for the benefit of community and the nation, and living life to the fullest.
