Hoài Linh – Valedictorian is not just a title, but the result of relentless effort

From a DAV student to Assistant to the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam, the journey of Hoài Linh – a K47 International Communication major – is a living testament to perseverance, versatility, and the aspiration to contribute as a young person in the era of global communication. As valedictorian of her program, Linh stands out not only for her outstanding academic achievements, but also for her active involvement in every project and community initiative she joined. Her journey is a quiet yet steady one – where every step has been guided by a sense of responsibility and the desire to create positive value for society.

The DAV toolkit: Every subject a door, every experience a step forward

“I always give my best in everything I do, even in subjects outside my major like Law, Economics, or English.” For Linh, university was never just about grades. Each course at the Diplomatic Academy was a door that opened to new ways of thinking, new skills, and above all, an essential part of becoming a well-rounded communications professional. It was this serious learning attitude that eventually made Linh the valedictorian of International Communication – a title not easily achieved.

Not only an excellent student, Linh was also highly active in extracurriculars: from the Student Union, TEDxDAV, to communication projects with NGOs. One of her fondest memories was serving as Head of Communications for TEDxDAV 2021 – a hybrid edition during the pandemic: “TEDx 2021 was a very special milestone. Despite the challenges of a hybrid format, it was the first time I got to hear such diverse voices across different disciplines and professions – and also to witness my own growth.”

Courses in culture, communication strategies, and international communication research further sharpened Linh’s analytical, research, and planning skills – all of which she continues to apply in her current work.

From DAV to UNDP: Growing through every internship milestone

Linh never waited for opportunities to arrive – she actively sought them out. Starting in her first year, she interned at VTV, then at a marketing agency, where she gained first-hand insights into how communication works in practice. These experiences gave her not only technical skills but also a growth-oriented mindset:

“I did a lot of internships, and I learned a bit from each one. But the biggest takeaway was: the willingness to learn and improve is the most important quality when you’re just starting out.”

By her third year, Linh pursued more academically and professionally demanding roles. She applied on her own to the U.S. Embassy, the New Zealand Embassy, and joined various development projects. This accumulation of diverse experiences laid the groundwork for her memorable post-graduation milestone: becoming Assistant to the Deputy Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Vietnam.

For many students – especially those at DAV – UNDP is a dream destination. For Linh, it was the result of steady effort over four years. She shared that many DAV students and alumni had worked at UNDP, and this network helped her feel less overwhelmed when applying. More importantly, her education at DAV combined with deep internship experiences – particularly at embassies – made her résumé stand out. So when UNDP extended an offer just two days after her graduation ceremony, she didn’t hesitate. “Graduated on Saturday, started work on Monday – no time to catch my breath, but no reason to hesitate either, because I had been preparing for that day all along.”

Still, stepping from university into a professional international development organization with dozens of active projects was overwhelming. As assistant to the Deputy Resident Representative, she had to juggle multiple complex tasks: managing a packed schedule, supporting communication activities, and coordinating across departments and partners both domestic and international.

“The first weeks were really tough. Everything was new, the workload was heavy. I had to lend a hand in almost every aspect of the office.”

Her approach: take things one step at a time, with persistence. “I don’t remember exactly how I overcame it. But each day I learned a little more, worked a little harder, and gradually got used to it. The key was not giving up.” Though the role wasn’t exactly what she had envisioned as a student, it gave her clarity about the path she wants to pursue in the future: “I learned so much from my supervisor, and gained invaluable lessons for my career journey.”

The valedictorian’s formula: Discipline, multidimensional learning, and refusing to limit yourself

Linh embodies the spirit of continuous learning – a quality that seems obvious but is not easy to sustain over four years. Unlike those who follow a fixed path, she embraced exploration: learning to understand her strengths and weaknesses, and to find her direction amid the countless branches of modern communication.

Instead of limiting herself to a single skill, Linh chose multidimensional learning. For her, a communications student should not only write or design, but be competent in almost everything: writing, graphic design, planning, academic research, and critical thinking. This versatility has allowed her to adapt to diverse work environments – from NGOs and embassies to international organizations like UNDP.

Beyond technical skills, Linh also emphasizes personal productivity and discipline. Tools like Notion, Notes, and Google Calendar are her “virtual assistants” for staying organized and self-directed. “Every morning, right after waking up – when motivation and willpower are at their peak – tackle the hardest task first. Once that’s done, everything else feels much lighter.”

She also has a message for younger DAV students: many enter the academy hoping to “avoid Math or Science,” believing Communication is a safer option. But Linh’s reality was the opposite. At work, she often uses Excel, processes data, and analyzes numbers – skills that communication students often overlook. That’s why she stresses: the weaker you are in something, the more you should learn it. “Don’t box yourself in too early. Whatever you don’t know, learn it even more.”

For Linh, communication is ultimately a search for meaning and community. It is not just about producing content that spreads, but about answering: what story are you telling, what value does it carry for others, and can it make a difference? That perspective keeps her inspired in her work. “I’m proud to be a DAV student – because our students not only excel academically, but also deeply understand their social roles. Many are doing work that brings positive value and change to the community.”

Hoài Linh’s journey is a powerful reminder that no success is accidental. Behind every admirable result is a process built on serious study, honest effort, and persistence in pursuing one’s goals. As long as you study diligently, work earnestly, and embrace challenges, every door can open – often in ways you never expected.

From her tentative first steps in International Communication, Linh chose to move slowly but steadily – so that step by step, she understood herself better and grew confident in sharing her value with the world in her own way. Just as she continues to do now: quietly, persistently, without noise – but with unshakable strength.

Thu Huyen