40 years of friendship with many interesting coincidences of two fathers

The yard of Truong Dinh High School, Go Cong City, Tien Giang on the morning of March 29, in the 2025 Exam Season Consulting program of Thanh Nien Newspaper, became the meeting place of the 40-year friendship between two fathers: Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tai and Mr. Nguyen Hieu Nhan, both 52 years old, living in Go Cong, both former students of Truong Dinh High School.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tai (left) and Mr. Nguyen Hieu Nhan

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Friendship of father and son

Mr. Nguyen Hieu Nhan is working at the Electricity of Go Cong City. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tai is a lawyer, currently working at Cao Minh Triet Law Office, Go Cong City. No matter how busy the week is, every weekend, the two friends Nhan and Tai meet, have coffee, and discuss work and life.

Attending the program to meet many teachers in the advisory board, asking more questions to help their children choose the right major and university, the two fathers also recalled many old memories, when they were still going to school.

Mr. Tai said: "We studied together since grade 6, when we were 12 years old, that was in 1985. We both studied at school number 3, which had both primary and secondary school in Go Cong. When we were in high school, we studied in the same class at Truong Dinh High School. Mr. Nhan's father is Mr. Nguyen Van Non, a physics teacher at the school, a famous physics teacher in the Go Cong area. Mr. Non graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Science (later split into the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, both under Ho Chi Minh City National University), and passed away a few years ago. We grew up with interesting physics lectures from him."

Mr. Nhan (left cover) and Mr. Tai (right cover) take a photo with Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Principal of Truong Dinh High School.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Both Mr. Nhan and Mr. Tai got married in 2003. Mr. Tai's wife is from Bien Hoa, Dong Nai and Mr. Nhan's wife is from Go Cong. Another interesting coincidence is that both Mr. Nhan and Mr. Tai gave birth to their first daughter in 2004. The two daughters were classmates at the same elementary school and high school, and are both currently students. Both fathers also welcomed their youngest son in 2007. Currently, both sons are studying in the same class 12A2 at Truong Dinh High School - the school where both fathers studied.

Mr. Nhan said: "My son's name is Nguyen Hieu Tuan Anh, he wants to apply for the artificial intelligence major. Mr. Tai's son's name is Nguyen Hoang Phuc, he also likes information technology and is currently studying medical physics at the University of Natural Sciences (Ho Chi Minh City National University) because I know this major has a high admission score but there is a great demand for human resources in the medical field."

The two have had a beautiful friendship for 40 years now, and Truong Dinh High School is about to turn 70 years old.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

The most meaningful gift for children

Both Mr. Nhan and Mr. Tai encouraged their children to maintain their passion for learning, exploring, and researching. Because the two fathers believed that only studying could change their own lives. And whether parents are rich or poor, the most meaningful gift they can give their children when they are no longer in this world is their will, determination to study, and desire to excel in life.

"My father was a teacher, and before that, my grandparents were farmers, and our family was very poor. My father - who was also my teacher - always advised his children to study, try to study, and advance in life through studying," Mr. Nhan shared.

Mr. Tai asked a question in the Exam Consulting program on the morning of March 29.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

Mr. Tai confided: "My father did not have the conditions to study at a higher level like Mr. Non or many others. He was just an ordinary worker. But the valuable thing he passed on to us was the motivation and desire to study. I also apply this to my children. Children need the care, encouragement, and motivation from their parents to strive for their dreams."

Mr. Tai's eldest daughter is a bachelor's student in diagnostic imaging at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, while Mr. Nhan's daughter is studying English pedagogy at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. The youngest child of the two will take the high school graduation exam and enter university this year. The two fathers with their beautiful friendship always accompany their children and remind them "one skill is mastered, one life is honored" to try their best in their field, maintain their ethics and dedication to their profession, then surely the opportunities ahead will always be open.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tinh-ban-40-nam-voi-nhieu-trung-hop-thu-vi-cua-hai-nguoi-cha-185250329205941445.htm