They didn't let the summer days go to waste.

Driven by her passion for travel, Dao Xuan Mai (21 years old) meticulously planned a journey of over 1,500 km (round trip) with like-minded friends. Mai experienced the route from Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat - Nha Trang - Phu Yen - Quang Nam in 5 days and 4 nights by motorbike.

Develop resilience through experience.

Traveling has given Mai the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature, thereby fostering a deeper love for the people and culture of Vietnam. These days of wandering have provided Mai with many valuable lessons in organizing and managing her life and connecting with others.

Mai will always remember her visit to Mũi Điện in Phú Yên, the easternmost point of the country. Watching the vibrant red sunset filled her with happiness. Not only did she fully enjoy every moment, but she also meticulously preserved the memories along the way.

Driven by a desire to gain life experience, Xuan Mai prioritizes backpacking trips over relaxing vacation tours. (Photo: Provided by the subject)

For Le Trieu Nguyen (a second-year student at the University of Economics and Finance in Ho Chi Minh City), his goal this summer continues to be serving the community. Nguyen is one of the volunteers participating in Ho Chi Minh City's 2024 Summer Volunteer Campaign. Since high school, he has enthusiastically contributed to the Red Phoenix Flower Campaign. In university, this young man from Long An actively participates in his faculty's volunteer team. He is also a core member of the organizing committee for the charity program "Helping Children Go to School." Besides handling communications, Nguyen is also responsible for fundraising, soliciting donations, and acting as an event entertainer when needed. Despite being overwhelmed with unpaid work, he feels he has "gained a lot" from the joy of giving back and supporting less fortunate lives, especially children. "The more we share hardships, the more united the team becomes. Wearing the green volunteer uniform is a source of pride for me and my friends," Nguyen expressed. The "Outstanding Student" award at the university level, recently received, marks a milestone in this young man's maturity.

Step out of your comfort zone.

Early next year, Trinh Thi Lan Anh (from Dong Nai province) will graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Therefore, she is trying to complete her personal profile, ready to apply for suitable jobs as well as full-time internships.

Trieu Nguyen (left in the photo) believes that participating in social work requires accepting and overcoming difficulties, all for the common good. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Lan Anh also dedicates a lot of time to improving her English skills and going to the gym to maintain her physical fitness. Since leaving her family to pursue her studies in the city, Lan Anh has developed the habit of creating a comprehensive plan for the entire school year with specific goals. From the summer of her first year, Lan Anh proactively tried her hand at various academic activities and scientific research. The experience gained from these competitions helped Lan Anh become more confident, and subsequently convinced several teammates to join her group. They consistently won high awards in competitions during the summer. The increasing number of achievements over the summers wasn't just to enhance her CV or gain an advantage in the job market; for Lan Anh, it was a real reminder to herself not to be complacent or overconfident, but to continuously improve.

Lan Anh (right in the photo) and her teammates diligently "hunt" for academic awards every summer. Photo: Provided by the subject.

For Xuan Mai, summer is not only a time to relax after studying and exams, but also an ideal time to step out of her "comfort zone" and explore herself through practical experiences. She said: "I gain more life experience, update my knowledge, and make more friends. I also gradually become more independent in my thinking, more empathetic, and more sharing." Long journeys also provide Mai with opportunities to hone her emergency response skills. Equipping herself with first aid and preventative health skills, investing in her health, and traveling cautiously to ensure her own safety and the safety of the community are some of the initial results.

The charity project "Helping Children Go to School," which Trieu Nguyen dedicated much effort to, received enthusiastic support from the school. The project's destination was Ben Tre. Nguyen is always grateful because, through such valuable humanitarian activities, he has enriched his soul and acquired essential skills for life and work in the future.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ho-khong-de-phi-nhung-ngay-he-196240615210048434.htm