The determination of a Khmer girl who passed the Master of Law exam as valedictorian

On the day of her graduation from the Bachelor of Administrative Law that year, the whole class graduated, but Le's university degree was suspended due to not having enough points in English...

Forget all fatigue when immersing yourself in Khmer dances

If you have the opportunity to attend the ethnic cultural festival in Ho Chi Minh City, you can easily see the image of the Khmer girl Trinh Thi My Le (born in 1992), full of confidence, flexibility, and grace, standing out in the Khmer ethnic cultural dance team.

“During every festival and New Year, we Khmer people cannot do without dances. I am both a dancer and a choreographer for the program, so I have to express the spirit and unique features of Khmer culture in each dance. Whenever the music with strong Khmer cultural features plays, I seem to be immersed in it, only knowing how to passionately devote myself to leaving the most special impression on the audience,” Ms. Le proudly said.

Ms. Trinh Thi My Le (right cover) - Vice President of Khmer Literature and Arts Association, Ho Chi Minh City Literature and Arts Association

At the end of the year, her work and community activities schedule seems to be packed. She said: “I usually return home at 10pm. After taking care of my personal hygiene, I just want to have a good night’s sleep so that tomorrow I have enough energy to welcome a new busy but meaningful day.”

As Deputy Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Literature and Arts Associations, Deputy Head of the Khmer Literature and Arts Association, in addition to administrative working hours, she works as a Khmer interpreter, translator and a Khmer language teacher.

“After office hours, I teach Khmer at the Foreign Language Center (established by the Central Committee of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association) in the evenings, from 2018 until now. In my free time, I tutor Khmer at home for Khmer children living and working in the city,” said Ms. Le.

Thinking about the classroom atmosphere with both adults and children wanting to learn Khmer language, Ms. Le forgot all her fatigue.

“There are days when I feel tired and want to rest. But thinking about the classroom atmosphere with adults, children, and even Cambodians who want to learn Khmer waiting for me, I try harder. Or when I immerse myself in the vibrant music and familiar melodies of Khmer dances to prepare for upcoming cultural performances, I feel like I am re-energized, my spirit is lifted, and I forget all my fatigue,” Ms. Le excitedly shared.

Work multiple jobs to earn money for school

Trinh Thi My Le was born and raised in the poor countryside of Hoa An commune, Cau Ke district, Tra Vinh province. in a farming family of 3 generations who were illiterate. Her parents went to the market, did all kinds of jobs to raise 3 sisters Le. Le shared: “My parents worked all day but the whole family only had enough to eat. For many years, my family did not have any valuable amenities. As the eldest sister, after me there were 2 younger siblings (1 boy and 1 girl), I only knew how to study hard to set an example for my 2 younger siblings, encouraging them to go to university so that they could have stable jobs in the future, hoping to escape the miserable life like my parents”.

As the eldest sister, My Le tries hard to study to set an example for her two younger siblings in hopes of escaping the miserable life of her parents.

That year, Le was in her first year of studying culture at Tra Vinh University, and she was invited to the University of Law in Ho Chi Minh City. Seeing her daughter decide to study far away from home, her parents only advised: "If you want to go to Saigon to study, we will not stop you, but you need to remember "starve to be clean, be ragged to be fragrant", do not do anything wrong, fall into sin to harm yourself and your own future. If it is too difficult, just come back to your parents".

Leaving her hometown for bustling, unfamiliar Saigon, in the early days, Le could not help but feel bewildered and find it difficult to integrate into the expensive, vibrant city. Because she wanted to help her parents raise her two younger siblings who were studying in her hometown, Le worked part-time to cover her own tuition in Saigon. “In addition to school hours, I worked part-time as a waiter in a restaurant, washed dishes for hire, sold things for hire… Sometimes I also worked as a volunteer at a temple. There were no expenses there, but at least I had something to eat every day” – Le choked back tears as she recalled.

“However, my biggest difficulty is learning foreign languages. I can try to do well in all other subjects, but English is still too big a challenge for a Khmer ethnic minority like me,” said Ms. Le.

Trinh Thi My Le participates in introducing Khmer ethnic culture to the people

On the day of her graduation with a Bachelor of Administrative Law degree that year, the whole class graduated, but Le had her university degree suspended due to not having enough points in English. In her regret, there was also helplessness and sadness, she said: "I felt I couldn't stop, I had to continue studying for a second degree in English to pay off the school debt, and at the same time study for a master's degree in law."

However, before going to university, she had financial difficulties. If she studied for both degrees, the difficulties would be multiplied. “There was a time when I worked many part-time jobs but still did not have enough money to pay for school. I missed my parents and wanted to return to find peace in my hometown and give up my dream. Luckily, a sister in my class knew about it and lent me money to pay for school…” – Le choked up, recalling the most difficult and arduous journey.

The Khmer girl was the youngest in the class at that time and had no professional experience like her seniors in the graduate school class. But with determination and constant effort, in 2020, she became the valedictorian of the master's program - Administrative Law. At the same time, she also graduated with honors in English, to the pride and admiration of her teachers and friends.

Relatives and family congratulated her for being the valedictorian of the master's program in Administrative Law and graduating with honors in English language.

“The journey to fulfill my father’s dream was like a dream to me, but it was a real dream. The day I received my master’s degree, my parents came to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time with boundless pride in their daughter. At that time, they just knew that for the past few years, I had worked for hire to achieve my success today. They hugged me tightly and cried, saying: “Why didn’t you tell us when you were having a hard time?” – Le tearfully recounted.

From her passion for culture and art of her homeland, My Le has gradually affirmed her name and the career she is pursuing in the city named after Uncle Ho. Every year, she actively participates in propagating and advocating policies and laws for ethnic minorities in the ward and district where she lives; propagating drug-related crimes and social evils for Khmer people... Thanks to that, in the period of 2021 - 2023, she is one of 16 individuals recognized by the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union as typical examples.

In ethnic cultural activities, she has been recognized and rewarded many times by the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City and district and ward levels.

Ms. Trinh Thi My Le (right) is one of 16 individuals recognized by the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union as typical advanced individuals, period 2021-2023.

“Now I can buy Tet gifts for my parents, 2 younger siblings and relatives in my hometown, without having to worry about paying rent like before. Many friends of the same age in my hometown have their own families, but I feel lucky to still be single. I can devote all my youth and time to my work, contributing to spreading the cultural knowledge I have learned more and more widely to everyone who loves Khmer culture” – the gentle face and innocent smile of the Khmer girl suddenly lit up when talking about the passion that lies ahead.

Source: https://pnvnweb.dev.cnnd.vn/co-gai-khmer-giup-ba-thuc-hien-uoc-mo-mong-con-co-quan-ao-dep-ngay-tet-20250110171741219.htm