Recently, the most discussed topics have been high school graduation exam scores and college admissions. These are pivotal moments for eighteen- and twenty-year-olds as they decide which path and goals to pursue.
As July draws to a close, we are also reminded of our past, the heroic history of our nation, and the stories of a generation that went to war, sacrificing their youth and lives to defend the country. As years pass, through the ups and downs, even facing life-and-death situations, one realizes the value of the past, with challenges serving as a crucible for growth. Thus, the reaction to one's twenties is heartfelt gratitude for that youthful and splendid time.
Assoc Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Ky - Former Member of the Party Central Committee, former General Director of VOV, currently Chairman of the Central Council for Literature and Art Criticism.
With the theme of "Response to Our Twenties", Taking Off shares stories of individuals striving to affirm themselves. These tales evoke nostalgia, regrets, and fondness as we look back back with love. Each milestone in life makes us stronger and more resilient.
YOUTHFUL CHOICES THAT DEFINE A UNIQUE PATH
Boldly breaking new ground, unafraid of public opinion, and creating pivotal moments in his life, Hà Lê has always brought new musical experiences to the audience. As a pioneering singer who revitalizes classic songs with a distinct style, Hà Lê has utilized his strengths, daring to be different, and delivering unique musical products to his audience. Despite initial doubts, his music has found its place, particularly among young listeners. Few know that to stand on stage as a singer today, Hà Lê spent many years finding himself through life's turning points.
On Taking Off, Ha Le rarely talked about the congenital defect in his left ear that leaves him with only 10-20% hearing. "Somehow, there's a great passion for art within me, a strong urge to perform, sing, and dance for everyone," he said. "For me, it's been a long journey, a winding road to reach where I want to be".
Ha Le spoke of three milestones that completely changed his life, giving him opportunities to connect with the audience. The first was when he was 19 and studying abroad. A friend invited him to watch a hip-hop dance movie, which opened a door to the arts for him.
The second milestone came at 31, after years of contributing to the hip-hop community in Vietnam. He felt something was missing, and that was singing.
“At 31, I needed more than just a voice. I needed a youthful appearance to makea lasting impression, but I didn’t have that. All I had was my passion”, he confessed. Amidst this dilemma, Ha Le joined a TV show that led him to sing.
“There were many things I sacrificed that didn’t bring pay off. The songs I wrote didn’t become hits, and the show didn’t bring in any money. It was the lowest point in my life, very depressing,” he recounted. “But once again, during my lowest, weakest, and most desperate times, a push came to make music. Those childhood melodies led me to the third milestone”.
“In working on the Trinh music project, the compositions helped me understand more about myself, life, and why art chose me. Among many who share my passion, why did art give me the opportunity and ideas to succeed? I realized the answer: I was serving people. When the songs play, I’m healed, and the audience shares in that,” Ha Le continued. “For those in their twenties with a burning passion, I want to repeat what my best friend once told me – trying may not guarantee success, but not trying will certainly fail”.
YOUTHFUL DREAMS SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE
The courage to change, to follow one’s passion, to face challenges head-on, and to create pivotal moments and personal markers. Today's successes are meaningful responses to a turbulent youth. "Response to Our Twenties" continued with with architect Huynh Tan Phat's story of nurturing seeds to grow into trees.
Over 17 years ago, the Huỳyh Tan Phat Scholarship Fund was established to honor the wish of the architect, President of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. Huynh Tan Phat aimed to help poor, studious students. The scholarship fund supports talented and resilient students and has provided financial assistance to nearly 300 students and provided equal education opportunities to over 10,000 through nine major projects. Speaker Phạm Tuấn Nam, appearing on the July runway of Taking Off, is one such student supported by the Huynh Tan Phat Scholarship Fund.
Pham Tuan Nam is now a lecturer at the Faculty of Urban Planning, Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture. The journey to pursue dreams is never easy, especially when young people have to leave their support systems early. Phạm Tuấn Nam’s story is proof of this.
Despite a challenging family situation, Pham Tuan Nam loved drawing from an early age. In fifth grade, his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and later passed away. His father remarried, and relatives took Nam in. Although financially strapped, they made sure he could continue his passion for drawing.
Among countless choices, Nam wanted to be an architect because it combined drawing with earning a living. At the end of 2011, just as he was starting university, his grandfather passed away. He took on various jobs, from designing embroidery patterns to waitressing, in order to finance his studies. In this precarious situation, a second helping hand came from Huỳnh Xuân Thảo and the Huỳnh Tấn Phát Scholarship Fund – offering financial support and a second home at the fund’s office.
After gaining professional experience and some recognition in the field of urban planning, Nam became a university lecturer and continues to support the scholarship fund, sharing knowledge and career inspiration with students.
“I hope young people see themselves in parts of my story and continue their journey to find the most meaningful response to their twenties”, Nam said.
THERE WERE SUCH TWENTIES
Speaker Nguyen Huu Mao appeared on Taking Off with the story of those who put aside their studies to fight for the country’s independence, answering the call of duty from their hearts.
In 1970, as the resistance against the American imperialists intensified, the demand for reinforcements in the southern battlefields became urgent. In response to the general mobilization order, local authorities called on youth and students to military physical exams.Every young person at that time who put his education on the line carried a deep message: all for the beloved South, all for national independence and reunification. From 1970 to 1972, over 10,000 university students in the North enlisted. Most were from Hanoi universities such as Polytechnic, General, Agriculture, Construction, Economics (now National Economics), Pedagogy, Geology, and Medicine.
In August 1970, after completing his second year in the Literature Department at Hanoi Pedagogical University 1, Nguyễn Hữu Mão, along with many university students, abandoned his studies for the battlefield. Amidst the war, he fought and wrote for newspapers. He is the author of the memoir "Unforgettable Years".
"I remember after peace came to the North in 1954, adults often pointed to us saying, 'These kids are the luckiest, living in peace, free from the war's destruction.' But that wasn’t the case! In 1965, when we entered high school, Hanoi became a fierce battleground. American planes were shot down over Lê Trực Street, pilots parachuted into Trúc Bạch Lake after their planes were hit. Our high school, Vietnam-Poland, was bombed three times and flattened, so we studied in village temples and bunkers... We overcame it all without hesitation. By summer of 1968, our class graduated from high school and entered the university.”.
“No one is born to fight. It’s a duty when the country is at war. The primary goal of the youth is to study and build the nation, and their future. Though we hoped to return to school, during the war, we focused on defeating the enemy," veteran Nguyen Huu Mao shared.
He described the university students than as a "talented generation going to war". In addition to rifles and backpacks, many carried university textbooks, sketch pads, and most kept diaries. He maintained this habit throughout the war, writing eight diaries that he still keeps today.
Through the war, the 1970 student soldiers showed great courage and performed remarkable feats. Many became senior officers, awarded medals and honors. "For years, we’ve had annual reunions to reminisce those harsh, sacrificial days. Our days as students and soldiers are filled with memories! We faced numerous challenges, hardships, fierce battles... but we overcame them all and returned home,” said writer Nguyen Huu Mao.
