Huyền Thư: The Mark of “Diplomacy” on a Journey of Growth

Stepping into university life, many young people feel disoriented, even lost in searching for their future direction. Amid countless choices and pressures, how can one walk with confidence, transform uncertainty into motivation, and discover a personal path? The story of Huyền Thư, alumna of Cohort 43 in International Economics, is a vivid testament to such a journey — one of courage, transformation, and pride in the “diplomatic spirit” that has shaped the person she is today.

Growing Through the Academy of Diplomacy

Stepping into university life, many young people feel disoriented, even lost in searching for their future direction. Amid countless choices and pressures, how can one walk with confidence, transform uncertainty into motivation, and discover a personal path? The story of Huyền Thư, alumna of Cohort 43 in International Economics, is a vivid testament to such a journey — one of courage, transformation, and pride in the “diplomatic spirit” that has shaped the person she is today.

Recalling her first days at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), Thư smiles: “Back then, I didn’t have a clear dream. I only knew I wanted to study economics, so I looked for suitable universities. DAV appeared as the ideal choice.” It was not a carefully laid plan, nor the pursuit of a particular role model. Rather, it came to her naturally — a timely, serendipitous decision. What began quietly as a “reasonable” choice gradually unfolded into a colorful journey, where each day at the Academy was both a self-discovery and a window into a wider world.

She remembers clearly the first activities: her class attending a flag-raising ceremony at Ba Đình Square at 5 a.m., then heading to Ba Vì for a team-building trip — simple rituals that proved powerful in bonding people together. “After just a few days, we had grown close in such a natural way, as if we had known each other forever,” she recalls. Immersed in an environment that emphasized precision, collective spirit, and discipline, Thư gradually felt the “diplomatic essence” shaping her words, actions, and worldview. More than knowledge, the Academy gave her refined principles of conduct, quiet inspiration, and a unique value system to help her stand firm in life’s many choices.

Of course, her time at DAV was not without challenges. Her biggest fear was English — a barrier so steep that 30 out of 40 classmates failed the subject. “I was really discouraged, but with encouragement from our professors, we kept going,” she says. In moments when giving up seemed easier, it was small gestures — thoughtful advice from her dean, a tiny suggestion box in the department office, heartfelt conversations between professors and students — that reminded her she was not alone. School was not just a place to study, but also a source of emotional support.

Alongside academic hurdles, there was also the pressure of being surrounded by brilliant peers. At times, Thư felt disheartened by others’ achievements. But instead of sinking into self-doubt, she chose to forge her own path by joining extracurricular projects and activities outside the Academy. International projects, in particular, broadened her horizons, connected her with students from other universities, and gave her new perspectives. “Everyone has unique strengths,” she reflects. “What matters is finding the right moment and environment to develop them.”

A turning point came when she represented Vietnam at a competition for students from the Mekong region. “I worked with two classmates on a project, and we were selected to compete abroad. It was my first time traveling overseas and my first time presenting in English before an international audience. That experience was both a great opportunity and a powerful reminder that I had to keep striving.”

Embracing “Unsteadiness” as Part of Growth

Graduating in 2020, Thư has since gained nearly six years of professional experience across three sectors: private enterprise, NGOs, and policy consulting firms. Today, she works in government relations and public policy — “using economics to serve policy,” just as her major at DAV intended. From her perspective, the knowledge and soft skills she acquired at DAV provided a strong foundation for entering the workforce. Yet thriving in today’s job market demands more. “Your English must be excellent,” she emphasizes, “not just for communication, but for actually working in a global environment.” Beyond English, she highlights the value of learning another foreign language as a lasting competitive advantage. But above all, she insists on the importance of inner strength: resilience, mental stamina, and the ability to withstand pressure. “Every job comes with stress. There will be mistakes, moments of feeling unrecognized. Without mental endurance, it’s easy to lose motivation.”

This insight, she notes, applies not just to fresh graduates but to professionals well into their 30s and 40s. “There’s no age without uncertainty. I’m 28 now, and I still feel just as unsteady as I did at 20. But I’ve learned to accept it as part of the journey. No one can live forever in dreams. The key is to know your priorities at each stage of life.” Even when her current work is challenging, Thư finds satisfaction in knowing it helps her grow, contributes to society, and keeps her inner fire alive. “I’m one individual within a collective. Contributing my expertise to an organization means contributing to its social mission.” That, she believes, is the true essence of diplomacy — professionalism, subtlety in navigating complex situations, confidence grounded in self-belief, and sensitivity to life’s broader issues.

The path to growth is rarely lined with roses. “Unsteadiness” is an inevitable part of life. Perhaps you have yet to find your dream direction, or perhaps you feel lost amid endless options. But as Thư advises: Start with understanding yourself. Build inner strength. Seek out experiences. And never be afraid to try — even if you fail. With persistence, self-reflection, and courage to face life’s trials, your path will gradually become clearer. And you will realize, just as she did: though challenging, the journey itself is always worth it.

Minh Phuong