From the Central Highlands Villages to the NTTU Lecture Halls: The Brilliant Journey of a M’nông Girl

From an M’nông girl growing up in Dam Rong (Lam Dong), NDU K’Hanh has become the first person in her clan to enter university. That journey began with a Vu A Dinh scholarship, continued through determination in her studies, and ultimately brought her to Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

After one year at the university, K’Hanh has gained additional experiences that she once thought could only be seen through books, while step by step moving closer to her dream of using media to tell stories about her homeland and ethnic culture.

“I want to return, but not empty-handed”

Growing up among the mountains and forests of the Central Highlands, K’Hanh’s childhood was tied to red-dirt roads, days following adults to the farming fields, and stories told around the campfire. Her homeland provided K’Hanh with cultural values and human warmth, while also offering fewer opportunities to access new learning and experiential environments.

The turning point came when K’Hanh was 15 years old, fortunately receiving the Vu A Dinh Scholarship, which gave her the opportunity to leave her hometown to study in Binh Duong (now Ho Chi Minh City). Leaving her family for the first time to enter a completely new environment, the girl who was only used to life in her village had to learn to adapt, become independent, and mature.

The early days were far from easy; differences in living environment, learning methods, and communication styles left K’Hanh feeling self-conscious, lost, and at times ready to give up. Yet it was precisely those experiences that helped her realize that circumstances do not have to be a limitation if one has enough determination to keep moving forward.

In the new environment, K’Hanh met dedicated teachers and friends filled with dreams. From there, she began to seriously ask herself: “What is my dream?” The answer gradually became clearer: K’Hanh wanted to return to her homeland with knowledge and experience, contribute to telling stories about M’nông culture, and serve as a source of inspiration for young people back home.

From the Vu A Dinh Scholarship to her opportunity with Nguyen Tat Thanh University

K’Hanh’s journey to Nguyen Tat Thanh University continued through the ongoing support of the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund—where Nguyen Tat Thanh University has provided practical support for students in difficult circumstances for many years, giving them further opportunities to pursue higher education.

In particular, the 100% tuition fee waiver policy helped ease the financial burden on her family and allowed her to confidently step into the university lecture halls. For K’Hanh, this was not merely an educational opportunity, but also the continuation of a personal journey that began when she was 15.

“I know that not every student in my hometown gets the chance to enter university. I have received the love of my family, the care of the teachers at the scholarship fund, and the support from Nguyen Tat Thanh University, so I cherish my opportunity even more. I always remind myself that since I have made it this far, I must strive to make this path meaningful,” – K’Hanh shared.

Becoming the first person in her clan to set foot in university is therefore both a source of pride and a motivation for K’Hanh to make continuous efforts, because behind that journey lie her family’s expectations and her desire to prove that the opportunity she received was fully deserved.

A year at Nguyen Tat Thanh University and experiences “not found in textbooks”

If the world outside her hometown was once something that aroused K’Hanh’s curiosity, after a year of studying at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, she has had the chance to directly step out and explore that world.

One of the most memorable milestones was the trip “Exploring the Media Ecosystem in Hanoi.” K’Hanh was one of 10 students from the Faculty of Creative Communications selected to participate in this journey.

From a girl who once felt lost upon stepping out of her village, K’Hanh now had the opportunity to visit many major press and media agencies, such as Hanoi Radio and Television Station, Vietnam Television (VTV), the Tuoi Tre Newspaper Representative Office in Hanoi, Voice of Vietnam (VOV), the BIDV Communications Board, and EVN’s Electric Power Information Center.

Each destination offered K’Hanh a new perspective on the communications profession, while fueling further motivation for the path she is pursuing.

In particular, the trip marked a very special moment: the first time K’Hanh visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum—a landmark she had previously known only through books and photos.

The first time K’Hanh visited Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum

Beyond studying, K’Hanh actively stepped outside the lecture hall for hands-on experiences. The Green Summer Campaign helped her gain a deeper understanding of the volunteer spirit, sharing, and youth responsibility toward the community. Spending days working alongside friends, overcoming difficulties, and creating shared memories also helped her become more proactive and energetic. For K’Hanh, that was the way to experience her university years to the fullest.

“Don’t let circumstances define your limits”

Looking back on her journey from the village to the university lecture halls, K’Hanh believes that the most important thing is not where you start, but whether you dare to take the step. From a girl who was once self-conscious and afraid she couldn’t keep up with her peers, K’Hanh has learned to proactively seek opportunities, try new things, and step out of her comfort zone without fear. This is also the message she wants to send to new students preparing to embark on a new journey.

“The first thing I want to share with freshers is to be proactive in your university journey. When you don’t understand a lesson, don’t hesitate to ask your lecturers; when entering a new environment, proactively reach out to friends and upperclassmen to learn more.”

According to K’Hanh, students should not be overly fearful when faced with new opportunities. If it feels right, boldly sign up to participate, even if you aren’t sure whether you will do well or not. When faced with a task you’ve never done before, instead of thinking “I can’t do it,” start by learning, inquiring, and giving it a try.

“University is a place where you are allowed to try, allowed to make mistakes, and given the opportunity to correct them. It is also a time to get accustomed to methods of learning, working, collaborating, and taking responsibility for your choices.”

Choosing a major not just by test scores, but by what you want to pursue

For K’Hanh, choosing a major also stemmed from a desire to create value for her homeland. As a daughter of the M’nông ethnic group, she hoped to use communications to tell stories about her origin, culture, and people. That exact desire led her to Public Relations at Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Studying at NTTU has allowed K’Hanh to mature and experience so much more

K’Hanh’s story shows that choosing a major does not necessarily have to begin with which field is currently “hot,” but can start right from the question: What do I love? What do I want to do in the future? And how can the knowledge I gain help me create value?

Once an answer is found, selecting a major is no longer merely picking an educational program, but choosing a direction for the future.

Entering her second academic year, K’Hanh continues to study, hone her skills, and better herself. Nguyen Tat Thanh University and the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund continue to accompany K’Hanh on her university path, serving as a reminder of the opportunity she received and the responsibility to work hard to turn that opportunity into value.

From an M’nông girl who once left her village with many hesitations, K’Hanh today can confidently walk the path she chose, no longer viewing past hardships as barriers, but rather as experiences that helped her grow, cherish opportunities, and clearly understand what she wants to pursue.

And perhaps, K’Hanh’s story is also a message for new students entering university doors: your starting point does not determine your destination; what matters is whether you have enough willpower to begin, enough initiative to experience, and enough perseverance to stay true to your choices. Because for every young person, university is not just a place to receive a degree—it is a journey to step beyond familiar boundaries, discover your potential, and step-by-step become a better version of yourself.

By: Hong Quang

Photos: Provided by interviewee