Ochirjantsan (left) instructs Vietnamese tourists on how to ride horses on the Mongolian steppe - Photo: TRAN HUYNH
Behind that image lies a journey filled with effort, aspiration, and passion of a young man pursuing a career in medicine.
Ochirjantsan is currently a final-year medical student at Etugen University (Mongolia). The 25-year-old previously spent two years studying at Hanoi Medical University on a scholarship from the Vietnamese government.
From the school named after President Ho Chi Minh
Ochirjantsan Bilegsaikhan is a former student of School No. 14 – a special school in the capital Ulan Bator (Mongolia) named after President Ho Chi Minh . Founded in 1949, School No. 14 is one of the cradles for training talented individuals in Mongolia.
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth, Mongolian leaders decided to name the school after President Ho Chi Minh. In 2009, a statue of President Ho Chi Minh was erected on the school grounds.
Here, students learn Vietnamese, sing and dance Vietnamese folk songs, and learn about the S-shaped country through books and extracurricular activities.
"From a young age, I learned about Vietnam through singing and dancing lessons in the Vietnamese language club. Back then, I was very curious about the people, culture, and history of Vietnam," Tung recounted.
After graduating from high school, instead of studying in Russia as originally planned, he decided to apply for a scholarship from the Vietnamese government to study medicine.
At the end of 2018, the 19-year-old arrived in Hanoi after a four-day journey on the Ulan Bator train, traveling through Beijing and Nanning (China). For Tung, that train trip was an opportunity to witness firsthand the transformation of the weather from the cold winter of a tropical country to a tropical climate.
Overcoming language barriers to pursue a career in medicine.
Starting with a Vietnamese language course at Thai Nguyen University, the Mongolian student was given the name Tung by his Vietnamese teacher. "For the first 3-4 months, I couldn't say a single word. Vietnamese has tones, while Mongolian has none. Just learning pronunciation was exhausting," he shared humorously.
In August 2019, Tung entered the lecture halls of Hanoi Medical University to begin studying medicine.
"I chose Vietnam because I felt a sense of closeness and friendliness in the culture and people. In particular, the medical field in Vietnam has good training quality and a lot of practical experience. Although studying is difficult due to the language barrier, I am still determined to pursue it," Tung shared.
Studying medicine in Vietnamese as a foreign student is incredibly challenging. Specialized subjects like cardiology and anatomy, which are already difficult for native students, were almost like "learning in the fog" for Tung. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, interrupting his studies and making things even more difficult.
Language barriers, prolonged online learning, and the inability to keep up with specialized subjects, especially cardiology, forced Tung to return to Mongolia to continue his journey towards becoming a doctor.
Tung is currently a final-year student with a GPA of 3.4/4. He plans to pursue a residency in cardiology, a field he struggled with during his early years studying in Vietnam.
Tung (at the front of the second row) cheers for the Vietnamese Robocon team in the final round of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Robocon Creative Competition held in Mongolia on August 24th - Photo: TRAN HUYNH
Becoming a tour guide fulfills my dream.
That day, as soon as we landed at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, a stocky young man was waiting to greet the group of tourists from Vietnam. He spoke Vietnamese fluently and cheerfully introduced himself: "I'm Tung, and I'll be accompanying your group throughout your exploration of Mongolia."
Tung quickly won the hearts of Vietnamese tourists thanks to his deep understanding of the history and culture of both Mongolia and Vietnam. At each destination, Tung not only guided them but also told vivid stories and made subtle comparisons between the two cultures, making the journey lively and meaningful.
Each trip with Tung is an exploration not only of the vast grassland landscapes, but also a journey of connecting people and cultures.
As the eldest of three younger sisters, Tung was always conscious of not burdening his parents with his studies. Upon returning to Vietnam and no longer receiving a scholarship, he decided to cover his tuition and living expenses by working as a tour guide every summer (from July to August).
As summer arrives, Tung once again takes on the role of enthusiastic tour guide, leading Vietnamese tour groups to explore the Mongolian steppes. Recently, he has been working as a local guide for a travel company founded by Zolo Zolkhuu, a former student of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering.
Tung's current part-time job brings him an income of about $50 per day, a rather impressive amount for a student in Mongolia. "Now I can cover all my tuition fees, personal expenses, and even buy my own car," Tung shared with a smile.
Driven by his dream of becoming a cardiology resident, Tung understood that his time as a tour guide would soon come to an end: "Once I become a doctor, I want to focus entirely on my profession."
Always wanting to connect Vietnam and Mongolia
Zolo Zolkhuu, director of TDM Tourist & Maikhan Camp, commented: "Tung is an exceptional tour guide. He not only leads tours but also tells captivating life stories that inspire tourists."
Although Tùng only worked during the summer, he was a very professional, enthusiastic, and attentive tour guide who always wanted to connect Vietnam and Mongolia. Tùng was fluent in Vietnamese and had a deep understanding of the history of both countries. Tùng is a source of pride for our company."
I want to return to Vietnam to study for a master's degree.
Ochirjantsan poses for a photo with the author at the Ho Chi Minh monument in the grounds of School No. 14 named after President Ho Chi Minh in Ulan Bator (Mongolia) - Photo: HONG PHUC
Despite living in Mongolia, Ochirjantsan maintains a strong connection with Vietnam. He makes a habit of reading books, watching movies, and listening to music in Vietnamese. According to him, this is one of the ways to practice Vietnamese and improve quickly.
Vietnam remains a cherished part of Ochirjantsan's memories. He particularly loves Vietnamese cuisine, with dishes that have become unforgettable flavors such as pho, bun cha, fried rice, and bun bo Hue.
He still harbors the dream of returning to Vietnam to pursue a master's degree in medicine. "When I first came to Vietnam, I didn't know the language and had no medical knowledge."
"Now that I have a more solid foundation, I really want to return to continue my studies. Vietnam has always been a place where I received so much support and warmth," he said.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/huong-dan-vien-dac-biet-o-mong-co-2025090722390352.htm
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