I grew up listening to the songs.

Despite being blind, Nguyen Hai Ha, a 7th-grade student at the Thai Nguyen Center for Inclusive Education Development Support, has found self-confidence through music. Through school and class activities, she has overcome her shyness and had the opportunity to perform on stage at the National Singing Competition for People with Disabilities.

Nguyen Hai Ha performs on stage.

In the spacious auditorium of the Thai Nguyen Center for Inclusive Education Development Support, a clear, melodious voice filled the air, immersing everyone in the sweet tune of the folk song. The owner of the voice was Nguyen Hai Ha, from Hoan hamlet, Nam Hoa commune. As a child, due to a corneal detachment, she primarily perceived the world around her through hearing.

At around the age of 5, Ha accidentally heard music coming from a street vendor's cart passing by his house. The familiar melodies echoing through the small neighborhood delighted the little boy, and he found himself singing along without even realizing it. His love for music grew over the years. Ha often listened to music through small speakers, the radio, and the television at home, and he especially loved simple, familiar folk melodies.

In the early days of learning to sing, Ha faced many difficulties. Listening to singers, she would just hum along, but by the time the song ended, she had forgotten the lyrics. After many such experiences, Ha developed her own learning method: trying to memorize the lyrics first, then singing along to the music. This slow but effective approach helped her gradually learn the songs, sing more completely, and develop a greater love for music.

Recognizing their son's special passion, Hai Ha's family was overjoyed, always encouraging him to be confident, listening to his practice sessions, and being his loyal audience every day. This warm support helped nurture his love of music, so that from the folk melodies echoing in his small neighborhood years ago, Ha gradually developed self-confidence.

To be able to stand in front of a crowd and sing, Nguyen Hai Ha had to come a long way. In her first few years at the Center, adapting to the learning environment was not easy. Ha learned Braille, got used to the classroom routine, and gradually overcame her inherent shyness. It took almost four years before she could confidently stand and sing in front of people.

The first time was on October 20th, when she was in 4th grade. Not long after, on November 20th, Ha was again entrusted by her teachers to perform on stage. This time, she sang an old song again, so she felt more confident. After the initial hesitant performances, Ha gradually became comfortable on stage, actively participating in artistic activities at school and at the Center.

Over time, Hai Ha has become more stable on her small feet. She often sings for her classmates during class activities, when the whole class needs a more relaxed atmosphere. Vu Quynh Anh, a classmate in class 7M, said: "Ha is very sociable, often tells funny stories and helps her classmates relieve stress. I also learn from Ha to be more confident," Quynh Anh shared.

In 2025, Ha participated in the National Singing Contest for People with Disabilities with the song " Meeting Mother in a Dream" and won the Encouragement Prize. Prior to that, she won the B Prize at the Northern Region Singing Contest for People with Disabilities. For Ha, participating in these competitions was a stroke of luck – luck for achieving success, and luck for the opportunity to perform in Hanoi …

Despite her clear talent and passion for music, Ha's aspirations are quite simple. She hopes to one day learn massage and therapeutic massage to have a stable job and be able to support herself. If fate allows, she will also learn singing, considering music as a companion in her life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202601/theo-tieng-hat-ma-lon-len-d1862e7/