Nguyen Tung Son is currently a 4th year student majoring in Literature Pedagogy at Hanoi National University of Education. The boy from Thanh Chuong (Nghe An) was recently crowned 1st Runner-up at the 2024 Elegant Student Contest organized by the Central Agencies' Youth Union.

This contest aims to find students who represent comprehensive beauty in intelligence, talent, appearance and inspire people.

Throughout the rounds, Son demonstrated many talents such as singing Nghe Tinh folk songs, performing spirit mediumship... Through this, the male student hopes to spread cultural and artistic values ​​to more people.

Winning the runner-up title, Tung Son was surprised and happy. The male student said he was not the most beautiful person in the contest, nor the most talented. "What makes me stand out is probably the enthusiasm of youth," Son said.

Nguyen Tung Son is a student majoring in Literature Pedagogy, Hanoi National University of Education. (Photo: NVCC)

Coming to the contest, Son brought his own story and his journey of fighting to “be himself”. Son said that he had previously suffered from depression. It was an extremely difficult time that Son still “shudders” when he remembers.

“At that time, I struggled with mixed emotions. I was easily sad, hurt and cried, even biting my nails and lips until they bled or closing the door and talking to myself. That period lasted for two years,” Son said.

Although he loves Literature, the male student feels "pressured" when he sees people's prejudices that "boys study Literature" or "studying Literature will only make you write and not do anything great in the future".

IMG_4301.JPG
Tung Son was born in 2003 in Thanh Chuong, Nghe An. (Photo: NVCC)

Luckily, when he studied at Nguyen Canh Chan High School, Son was supported by his teachers to develop and encouraged to be himself. That gave Son more motivation to firmly pursue his dream.

Thanks to that, in grade 12, Son won the third prize in the Literature competition for excellent students of Nghe An province and the Encouragement prize in History. This also helped Tung Son to be admitted directly to the Literature Pedagogy Department, Hanoi National University of Education. Since then, Son has gradually become more confident, escaped the "cocoon" of security and participated more in collective activities.

Son is the 1st runner-up of Elegant Student 2024. (Photo: NVCC)

Inspired by his father, who was a primary school teacher, Son also dreamed of standing on the podium since he was a child. “To me, the teaching profession is extremely noble, because every day that passes, I get to sow green seeds and impart knowledge to students,” Son said.

To “satisfy” his passion for teaching, Son opened a Literature class under his personal brand to spread his love of literature to students. Son teaches this class mainly online, and after 4 years, there have been students who have become valedictorians in university entrance exams.

Having suffered from depression but overcome it, Son wants to spread positive energy to everyone. (Photo: NVCC)

Studying at the Pedagogical College, Son said he has “changed” a lot. “The teachers are very strict, but thanks to that, I have become more mature and have a more serious and meticulous attitude towards studying.”

To master the lesson, Son often applies the method of systematizing knowledge through mind maps, thereby having a general view and easily analyzing the problem. As a student of Literature, Son also has to read and research more books, newspapers, and documents to enrich his knowledge.

“In my free time, I often go to large libraries to look up learning materials. Studying literature at university is very different from high school. We have to delve into language, psychology, Han Nom... The richness of literature also helps me to improve myself.”

468532337_1283680699307869_8187653975467665267_n.jpg
The image Son aims for is a standard, dynamic and creative "gen Z" teacher. (Photo: Nguyen Bao)

Having taught Son at Hanoi National University of Education, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thu Thuy, a lecturer in the Literature Department, was impressed with her student for his diligence, seriousness and modesty. Seeing Son’s confidence on stage, Ms. Thuy was surprised because her student revealed many qualities, strengths and was “very bright”.

“However, when Son became known to many people, I both encouraged and reminded Son to calmly accept the good news, but also not to neglect his main task, and to consider it as motivation for him to become more mature,” said Ms. Thuy.

z6074586070185_006ebc3dd368ae50c45999e22b383251.jpg
Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thu Thuy and Tung Son. (Photo: Nguyen Bao)

Currently, in addition to studying, Son also tries his hand at a number of fields such as MC, modeling, speaking... However, the male student said that his participation in artistic activities is only for the purpose of experience.

“I still want to focus on my major and become a literature teacher. The image I aim for is that of a new generation of teachers - a standard, dynamic and creative “gen Z” teacher,” Son said.

From a student to an engineer and now a doctor of aviation, Minh Nhat has always cherished the dream of contributing to the development of the aerospace industry in Vietnam.
The beautiful valedictorian is the 'student of the year' at Hanoi Medical University . Having reserved her place at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy to retake the entrance exam to Hanoi Medical University, Ngoc Linh became the valedictorian of the Dentistry department. Three years later, Linh won the "Student of the Year" award at this school, thanks to her dynamism and talent.