Poet, teacher, journalist Nguyen Thi My Dung: 85 years of life is a full circle

With a 50-year writing career, journalist, writer, poet, and teacher Nguyen Thi My Dung has published hundreds of articles, dozens of poems, 7 memoirs, and 4 novels, of which 2 have been reprinted, 1 has been read on the radio, and 1 has been introduced on VTV's "A Book a Day" program.

The Poet, The Teacher, The Bao Nguyen Thi My Dung, 85 years of life is a full circle, figure 1 — Teacher and poet Nguyen Thi My Dung at the "Pink Heart" program.

In particular, 110 poems written by her about the nation's talented general were displayed at the exhibition "Following the General's Footsteps" on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of General Vo Nguyen Giap's birth. The exhibition left a great impression on readers and reached many places across the country. It was held twice in Hanoi, once in Dien Bien Phu, once in Quang Ninh, once in Quang Binh and at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

At the ceremony, Ms. Mac Hoa - former class monitor of Doan Ket High School shared that more than half a century ago, the high school that is now Doan Ket High School, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi City had a very special class - a class of all girls. The establishment of the all-girls class was to create favorable conditions for learning embroidery, with teacher Nguyen Thi My Dung as the head teacher.

The Poet, The Teacher, The Bao Nguyen Thi My Dung, 85 years of life is a full circle, image 2 — Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung takes a photo with her family.

Ms. Mac Hoa expressed that Ms. Dung is a second mother who always loves, forgives mistakes, and always teaches, cultivates, and equips students with knowledge to prepare them for life. Over the years, the students of that time were like birds flying everywhere, although each person's living conditions were different, everyone had excellently fulfilled their duties as citizens to the Fatherland.

"Back then, our hair was still green, now it has turned gray, we have become grandmothers of the grandchildren, the future buds of the country. When we met you again, we were very happy, touched and proud to see that at the age of 85, you are still healthy, clear-headed and full of enthusiasm, still contributing lines of poetry and literature that love the homeland, the country, the people and life" , Ms. Mac Hoa shared.

The Poet, The Teacher, The Bao Nguyen Thi My Dung, 85 years of life is a full circle, figure 3 — Ms. Mac Hoa - former class monitor of Doan Ket high school class shared her love and respect for teacher Nguyen Thi My Dung.

Talking about her career, poet and teacher Nguyen Thi My Dung said that teaching, journalism, poetry and writing come together to form a full circle.

She confided: "When I was 60 years old, my former students at Hai Hau High School and Doan Ket High School made me a book recording the feelings of my students, classmates, teachers and family towards me. My students also helped me to organize an exhibition - I consider it a great gesture of respect for teachers, not only for me but also for all the teachers who have stood and are standing on the podium."

With a passion for writing, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung chose to write a lot about talented people and major events of the country. She has hundreds of articles about talented Vietnamese people, all collected in 7 memoirs. In each of those articles, there is her gratitude, admiration and respect for the talented people of the country. She wants the public and readers to know about their intelligence and contributions.

The Poet, The Teacher, The Bao Nguyen Thi My Dung, 85 years of life is a full circle, figure 4 — Singer Tung Duong suddenly appeared and sent many songs to teacher, poet Nguyen Thi My Dung and the audience at the program.

Poet Nguyen Thi My Dung's poems always have rhythm, her rhymes are close to readers, and are enthusiastically received by the public. 60 of her poems have been set to music by famous musicians.

"At 85 years old, I still have many wishes. I hope you will continue to read my poems and stories to understand, share and sympathize with me - so that I can still work and be useful in this life - that is my happiness," Nguyen Thi My Dung expressed.

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Dung is not only a talented journalist, teacher, poet, and writer, she is also a family woman who loves her husband and children very much. Her poems are her thoughts to her life partner. She confided that she and her husband live in a small house with many generations, so they rarely talk to each other in words but instead confide in each other through letters or poems.

"I want you to be a fresh flower. To make my life more beautiful; I want you to be a steel pillar. For me to lean on. For me to lean on; I want you to be the moon. For me to not be drowned in darkness; I want you to walk straight on the right path. For me to be by your side..." . Nguyen Thi My Dung spoke in poetry, then put it in her husband's pocket or address book, so he would see it. "My poems, first and foremost, are read by my husband," she said.

The Poet, The Teacher, The Bao Nguyen Thi My Dung, 85 years of life is a full circle, figure 5 — Teacher, journalist, poet, and writer Nguyen Thi My Dung feels fortunate to have had a fulfilling and happy journey.

In her poetry collections, above all, there are poems praising her homeland. Wherever she went, she wrote poems recording the impressions she had set foot on. It could be the beauty of her father's homeland, her feelings for her mother's homeland, or her feelings about a place that created the fate of her parents.

At the end of the program, she shared: "A lifetime of being a teacher, writing for newspapers, writing poetry, writing prose, being loved by friends, family, colleagues and the public, I am fortunate to have a fulfilling and happy journey"!

Some pictures at the program: