'Mr. Hai encourages learning' - a humanitarian support

In Ha Lam town, Thang Binh district (now Thang Binh commune, Da Nang city), when mentioning the previous key officials who devoted themselves to the people, people often immediately remember 'Mr. Hai encouraged learning'.

"Mr. Hai, the Education Promotion Officer" is the nickname of Mr. Nguyen Huu Hiep - former Standing Committee Member of the Quang Nam Provincial People's Council, former Chairman of the District People's Committee, and former Chairman of the Thang Binh (formerly) Education Promotion Association. In the hearts of the people of his hometown, Mr. Hiep is a precious and compassionate figure.

CHARITY FOUNDATION

Uncle Hiep's house is located in a small alley, a few hundred meters from the town center. The front yard is large enough to grow a few fruit trees, a vegetable patch, and a cluster of fragrant flowers. The garden is simple but always exudes warmth, just like the soul of this dedicated and capable official, close to the people, serving the people, and wholeheartedly committed to promoting education and talent.

Born in 1954, he grew up in a family with a rich tradition. His maternal grandfather was a renowned and excellent teacher in the village. His father was a virtuous and upright veteran revolutionary cadre; his mother was a kind and exemplary woman. From this disciplined family, he early absorbed admirable moral values. Overcoming obstacles and the vicissitudes of the times, he persevered in his studies, nurturing his ideals to enter life with admirable qualities that not everyone possesses.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hiep visits teacher Huynh Van Luan - former Principal of Tieu La High School, Thang Binh - who connected the BS.Brooks Scholarship Fund with the Thang Binh Education Promotion Association.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

For over 25 years, serving as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the District People's Committee, and then as a Standing Member of the Provincial People's Council (from the 1980s to the 1990s), he not only pondered solutions for economic development but also paid special attention to culture and society, especially education, promoting learning, and nurturing talent. Understanding the philosophies of ancient and modern Eastern and Western culture and education, he deeply appreciated the value of learning throughout history. Therefore, in every position, he left his mark as a "center of compassion" – a place where love finds solace, where dreams take flight. Countless lives were transformed, and generations of students gained more faith and determination to succeed thanks to his dedicated support.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hiep (fourth from the right) presents the "Donation to the Scholarship Fund" emblem to representatives of 5 high schools in Thang Binh district.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

The miracle of compassion named Vu Tu Sinh

Since 2015, at the age of sixty, when he should have been resting, life's circumstances have tied him to a new "mission" - Chairman of the Thang Binh District Education Promotion Association. Among countless stories of education promotion, there is a special case of Vu Tu Sinh. - The light of compassion was kindled from the years when Mr. Hiep was a deputy, then became the Chairman of the District People's Committee, and it continues to spread to this day.

Born in 1984 in Linh Cang village, formerly Binh Phu commune, Vu Tu Sinh had to drop out of school in the 6th grade at Le Loi Secondary School because his mother was blind, his family was poor, and the distance was great. At that time, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hiep, Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, mobilized benefactors to help Sinh return to school and complete his secondary education. He had to drop out again in the 10th grade. During a business trip, Mr. Hiep happened to visit his home; upon learning of his situation, he continued to encourage Sinh and helped him find a school to attend. Thanks to this, Sinh graduated from Thai Phien Semi-Public High School and then passed the entrance exam to Da Nang University of Technology. For 11 years, all of Sinh's educational expenses were supported thanks to the connections Mr. Hiep persistently made – one act of kindness spreading to many others.

Uncle Nguyen Huu Hiep took a commemorative photo with Vu Tu Sinh and his wife at the meeting in Linh Cang village.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

In July 2025, in Linh Cang village, a group of former students involved in promoting education organized a meeting to award scholarships to underprivileged students and express gratitude to families who contributed to the revolution. There, a miracle occurred: Vu Tu Sinh – now the director of an IT company in Da Nang with over 20 employees – returned with a moving speech, expressing his deep gratitude to his teacher and great benefactor, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hiep, and to all the uncles and aunts who were involved in the education promotion movement.

LIGHT OF COMPASSION

Thirty years of nurturing, the budding seeds of the scholarship program have now borne sweet fruit. Today, Sinh himself continues to sow seeds of compassion, readily contributing to the scholarship funds of his commune, district, and the schools that were once part of his childhood. His life is now quite fulfilling: a comfortable home in Da Nang, a close-knit family with his mother, a loving wife, and two obedient children. To him, Mr. Hiep is like a "guardian angel" in his life – someone he respects and loves as if he were his own father.

Student Vu Tu Sinh (standing in the middle) presents scholarships to students of Le Loi Secondary School.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

"Remember the one who planted the tree when you eat the fruit " - this reminder is not only the sentiment of Sinh but also of thousands of students in Thang Binh. Typical examples include Nguyen Huu Loc (Thang Truong commune, resident doctor in Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyen Truong Toan (Thang Phu commune), and Le Thi Anh Nu (Thang Binh commune) - all of whom are now successful individuals. Today, they continue to strive for success with the aspiration of repaying the kindness of Mr. Hiep - the person who wholeheartedly helped them realize their dreams.

Over the past 10 years (2015-2025), the District Education Promotion Fund has raised tens of billions of VND, used for many charitable purposes such as building houses for the needy , providing sponsorship, donating savings accounts, and awarding scholarships. It's difficult to recount all the journeys traveled, filled with sweat, tears, emotion, and overwhelming happiness. But above all, it's the joy of the "leader" and his colleagues to see so many young people's dreams being illuminated.

Uncle Nguyen Huu Hiep awarded a scholarship to sponsor Pham Thanh Hai (Phu Dong Primary School) in 2025.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

CONTINUE WRITING THE STORY OF KINDNESS

Although the District Education Promotion Association no longer exists, the flame of education promotion in Thang Binh continues to burn brightly. Mr. Hiep, along with his group of volunteers and many domestic and international organizations, continues to support and mentor students who were previously assisted. He personally continues to mentor Pham Thanh Hai, a third-grade student at Phu Dong Primary School (Thang Dien commune). The "Overcoming Difficulties and Striving for Success" group , founded by Mr. Hiep and Mr. Ho Huu Hai – a businessman from Thang Binh – currently sponsors 50 students studying in Ho Chi Minh City, notably Le Van Huu (Thang Binh commune) and Le Cong Danh (Dong Duong commune) – students at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Recently, after the district's administrative division was abolished, Mr. Hiep founded the "Thang Binh - Echoes of the Homeland" group, providing scholarships to a student from Thai Phien High School who achieved top marks in the university entrance exam.

With his quiet contributions to society and to the cause of "nurturing future generations," "Mr. Hai, the Education Promotion Association" Nguyen Huu Hiep truly deserves to be honored. He and the Thang Binh Education Promotion Association have received numerous certificates of merit, commendations, and emulation flags from the Central Education Promotion Association and the Quang Nam Provincial Education Promotion Association.

Yet, deep down, he maintained his admirable humility: "I only hope to contribute a little to the cause of promoting education, so that this world will have more decent citizens." This simple statement serves as a kind reminder, illuminating the path for present and future generations. Live a more beautiful life - for compassion, for knowledge, and for the future of our homeland.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-hai-khuyen-hoc-diem-tua-nhan-ai-185251027124026494.htm