Untold Stories from the VinUni Medical Office

When love for the profession is expressed through gentle care and kind eyes 

Stepping through the university gates, the first year at VinUni is a special journey, especially for students living away from home for the first time, learning to stand on their own in the university’s modern dormitory. It’s not just a time of discovery, new friendships, or personal growth, but also a time when students learn how to take care of themselves, from mild colds to sleepless nights filled with unspoken homesickness. 

And along that journey, there is someone who is always quietly there—gentle, steady, and warm: Ms. Trang, VinUni’s medical officer. To many generations of students, she isn’t just the person in charge of healthcare, but a familiar presence, a trusted friend, a caring “big sister” who shows up whenever they need her most. 

“Students enter the dorm like blank pages. I just hope I can write the gentlest things on them.” 

Ms. Trang’s work doesn’t stop during office hours at the Medical Office. In the evenings, when most people are resting, she is still quietly present whenever the hotline rings: listening to students’ worries, helping them through sudden stomach pains, or stepping in whenever support is needed. 

“Many students are still very inexperienced when they first start university, some have never taken medicine on their own, or don’t know how to use effervescent tablets. I still remember the very first cohort, who went for military training right when Covid broke out. With no family around, I went through quarantine with them, bringing meals, handing out medicine, so they wouldn’t feel like they were alone.” 

Ms. Trang believes that people are most vulnerable when they are unwell. Sometimes, just a gentle pat on the shoulder or a timely question is enough to ease loneliness. And if she can be the one to bring that sense of calm, even for a moment, that alone is reason enough to keep doing her job with all her heart. 

When family is far away, “Ms. Trang” becomes a safe anchor 

When asked about her most memorable moment, Ms. Trang immediately recalls caring for an international student who suffered a severe allergic reaction after taking medication prescribed outside the university. 

“I was in the middle of a meal when I got the call. I dropped everything and rushed to Gia Lâm Hospital. That night, I stayed by the student’s side because I was worried the condition might worsen. In a foreign country, far from family, I knew they needed someone, and I wanted to be that person.” 

For international students, care isn’t just about medical treatment. It’s also about cultural understanding and respect for personal beliefs. Ms. Trang prepared alternative meals, from nut-based milk to suitable snacks, ensuring the student’s health while honoring their values. 

A few days after recovery, the student quietly brought her a small bouquet of flowers. No grand words were needed. That moment alone told her she had truly touched someone’s heart—not through big gestures, but through being there at the right time. 

“Ms. Trang!” – A simple call that brightens the whole day 

“Just stepping into the dorm and hearing someone call out ‘Ms. Trang!’ makes my whole day,” she smiles. “Sometimes the students even invite me to be a ‘practice patient’ for their classes. Those simple moments give me so much motivation, because I know I’ve become a part of their lives.” 

Her name may never appear on honor boards. She may not stand on stage at award ceremonies. But to VinUni students, Ms. Trang is a symbol of gentleness, dedication, and quiet strength. A presence that may go unnoticed at first, but becomes deeply irreplaceable, especially in moments of vulnerability. 

“I love this profession because I understand how important it is. After many years at VinUni, I’ve felt deeply how people-centered the culture is here. And once you choose to work in healthcare, I believe you must always give it your all, because helping even one more person is enough to make this work meaningful.” 

Thank you, Ms. Trang, for choosing to stay, for choosing to walk alongside students. Not loudly. Not brilliantly. But through steady, quiet devotion, you’ve written a beautiful chapter in the growing journeys of countless VinUni students through listening, care, and a heart full of compassion.