The adventurous young man and his aspiration to spread Vietnamese identity.

Self-funded study abroad at age 18

In 2020, after graduating from high school, Nguyen Viet Kien went to study in France, right when the whole world was reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision to leave his homeland during such a turbulent time was not easy, but for the 18-year-old Nguyen Viet Kien at the time, "going" was not just a choice, but a mission of youth – daring to challenge himself, daring to live differently.

Before making his decision, Kien considered many countries, but France – a land of scholarship, culture, and profound human values – was the place he chose to nurture his dreams. His journey studying abroad in France was full of challenges. In the early days in a foreign country, he had to manage everything himself: from renting an apartment, cooking, managing finances, to overcoming the language barrier. Everything became even more challenging when he had to study entirely in French, whereas before he had only studied English.

"There were times when I fell into crisis because of the overwhelming difficulties. But whenever I wanted to give up, I thought about how strong my dream of studying abroad used to be, how much my desire to become a global citizen motivated me, and I told myself that no matter how difficult it is, there will be a way to overcome it if I persevere and stay calm," Kien shared.

Kien often sought guidance and shared experiences from friends, teachers, and Vietnamese student groups in France. He cultivated a proactive attitude, learned to plan clearly, and adapted flexibly to any situation. Thanks to this, Kien gradually overcame his initial uncertainties, turning difficulties into opportunities for learning and growth.

After about six months in France, Kien started working part-time, his first job being food delivery. Later, he worked in restaurants, doing various jobs such as serving and cashiering. “Besides helping cover living expenses while studying abroad, part-time work also gave me many meaningful experiences and improved my French communication skills,” Kien shared.

A breath of fresh air for the Vietnamese Student Association in France.

One of the pillars that helped young Nguyen Viet Kien quickly integrate into his new life was the companionship and support of the Union of Vietnamese Students in Lyon, France (UEVL). “The members of the Vietnamese student community have been very supportive, helping me with everything from administrative procedures and finding accommodation to offering words of encouragement during my first days in France,” Kien said. This support motivated Kien to join UEVL and contribute to many meaningful activities for the Vietnamese student community in France.

In 2022, after two years of active participation, Kien was elected President of the Vietnamese Student Association in Lyon. At the age of 20, this young "leader" brought a breath of fresh air to the Vietnamese student community in France with his dynamism, creativity, and enthusiasm. Under Kien's leadership, the Vietnamese Student Association in Lyon (UEVL) not only expanded its activities but also improved its quality, attracting more and more students. Cultural exchange programs, student festivals, and traditional Tet celebrations were all well-organized, leaving a strong impression on young Vietnamese people and international friends alike.

For the past five years, Kien has celebrated Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) away from home. “Every spring, when the streets of Vietnam are ablaze with peach blossoms, here in Europe, I often intensely miss the bustling atmosphere of cleaning and preparing for Tet, I miss the aroma of sticky rice cakes my mother cooked, I miss the laughter on New Year's Eve. But instead of letting the longing linger, I choose to share it,” Kien said.

Nguyen Viet Kien (second from the left) wraps banh chung (Vietnamese rice cakes) with Vietnamese students studying in Lyon, France.

Together with the Vietnamese Student Association in Lyon, he organized a program to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year, recreating the atmosphere of Tet in his homeland in the heart of France with familiar activities such as making banh chung (traditional rice cakes) and erecting the New Year's pole. "What's special is that international friends also participated very enthusiastically. Through these activities, we not only strengthened the bond among the student community and nurtured love for Vietnam in each young person, but also contributed to introducing the image of Vietnam, its culture, and its people to friends around the world," Kien shared.

At 23 years old, he traveled through 40 countries.

Kien is also a true "travel enthusiast." At the age of 23, he has visited 40 countries across three continents, all on independent trips. Kien meticulously manages his savings, works part-time in his free time, hunts for cheap tickets, and plans well in advance. He shared: " Travel isn't just about spending money, it's about investing in knowledge and the soul. Each trip is a learning experience, an opportunity to explore the world and myself."

Nguyen Viet Kien is currently pursuing a master's degree in "Heritage Value Development Combined with Sustainable Tourism," and hopes to further research how to preserve and spread Vietnamese identity through tourism. "I want to complete my master's program successfully, then gain experience and return to Vietnam to work. I believe that young people can contribute to building the country wherever they are, but returning to contribute is the most meaningful thing," Kien shared.

According to Kien, as a student, fulfilling his passion for travel presents two major obstacles: finances and time. He overcomes these by meticulously planning and managing his time effectively. He makes the most of every summer break, winter break, and gap between academic years for travel without affecting his studies. Regarding costs, Kien always plans well in advance, 3-6 months beforehand, to find cheap flights and hotels.

In total, the cost for the 40 countries Kien has visited is only about half a billion VND – a figure that surprises many. On average, each of his longer trips costs around 20 million VND, while shorter trips cost much less. “The secret lies in optimizing the itinerary and spending wisely: combining visits to multiple countries in one trip, spending more days in cheaper places, shortening the time in expensive countries, and using travel apps to compare airfare and services,” Kien shared.

For Kien, travel is a great school that teaches him about cultural diversity, tolerance, and national pride. “Every country I visit, every person I meet, every culture I learn about leaves me with profound lessons. Travel helps me broaden my horizons, learn to appreciate differences, and feel more proud of my roots as I see Vietnam becoming increasingly known to the international community, especially for its cuisine and culture,” Kien shared.

Nguyen Viet Kien wore a traditional Vietnamese ao dai while traveling.

With unwavering conviction, each journey is not simply a trip, but a new chapter in youth – where passion, knowledge, and love for one's homeland blend together, creating a unique map of a "global citizen" with a Vietnamese heart.

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