Always Moving Forward

Sharing from Trần Phước Lâm Duy – Business Administration student, College of Business and Management 

My name is Trần Phước Lâm Duy, and I come from Bảo Lộc, Lâm Đồng. Where I grew up, access to education still comes with many challenges. My father is a farmer who grows avocados and durians on our family farm in Lâm Đồng, while my mother sells coffee. From a young age, I witnessed my parents working tirelessly, caring deeply about every agricultural product they made. Their love for honest labor shaped me profoundly, planting in me a deep respect for genuine and sustainable values. 

During my high school years, English learning, extracurricular activities, or career-orientation programs felt like luxuries. For me and many of my peers, applying for scholarships or studying abroad seemed like distant dreams. At that time, I never imagined that one day I would study at a university like VinUni, let alone become part of its very first cohort. 

Standing at the doorway of university life, I once planned to choose a major simply based on my parents’ or friends’ advice, because I didn’t know what else to do. Most of my time revolved around studying for high scores, yet I lacked soft skills and had no clear direction for my future. 

Then, I met an art teacher who completely changed my life. He didn’t just teach me how to draw, he helped me plan my life, inspired me with the idea of serving society, and most importantly, taught me how to rise above adversity. Thanks to him, I realized that I could do more, dream further, and not be confined by my circumstances. 

When Aspiration and Determination Become the Keys to Success 

When I applied to VinUni, I was initially placed on the waiting list because I lacked extracurricular activities and soft skills compared to applicants from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Instead of giving up, I decided to write an email directly to the President and the Chairperson of the University, sharing the challenges faced by students from rural provinces. 

I explained that to build an application comparable to those from major cities, students from smaller provinces often have to work many times harder: self-studying for IELTS, independently founding and running clubs, and learning how to write application essays on their own. To my surprise, after that email, I was invited for another interview and eventually awarded a 100% scholarship. That moment taught me a powerful lesson: when you dare to speak up and stand for what you believe in, opportunities can follow. 

In my early days at VinUni, I felt both overwhelmed and hopeful. As students of the first cohort, we were not only learners but also builders – creating class culture and shaping the student community from scratch. VinUni didn’t just provide knowledge; it opened countless opportunities, from joining clubs and social projects to participating in an exchange program in South Korea, a life-changing experience that broadened my worldview. During that time, I learned not only more about my major but also about new cultures, met international friends, and expanded my perspective. My time in Korea taught me that no matter where you come from or what your background is, the most important thing is a willingness to learn and continuously improve yourself. 

Because of everything I experienced, I have always been deeply concerned about the educational gap between students in big cities and those in rural areas. That was why, in 2020, my friends and I founded Trà Đá Mentor – a project aimed at connecting students with mentors who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. 

At the beginning, we had only seven mentees and a few mentors. But through constant effort, by 2024, Trà Đá Mentor had grown into a social enterprise with over 200 mentees and more than 60 mentors from diverse fields such as business, technology, psychology, and finance. Our mentors come from leading companies like Shopee, VNG, MoMo, as well as prestigious universities around the world. 

Despite these achievements, the journey of Trà Đá Mentor has not always been smooth. In 2023, we faced the risk of shutting down due to financial difficulties and challenges in changing perceptions about mentoring. Instead of giving up, the team came together to reflect, refine our model, and continue forward, firmly believing that mentoring is not just about sharing skills, but about companionship and unlocking the potential of young people. 

I often remind myself: “Do more, play less. If you fail, learn from it. Youth is for learning, understanding yourself, and contributing to your country – not for ‘running away with someone.’” I once shared this half-joking but deeply serious message on my personal page, hoping it would inspire other young people. 

Looking back on my journey – from a boy in Bảo Lộc to a new graduate in Business Administration at VinUni – I feel immense gratitude. I am thankful to my teachers, friends, and the University, those who believed in me, gave me opportunities, and motivated me to keep moving forward. This journey may only be the beginning, but I believe that with what I have gained so far, I will continue striving to spread the spirit of innovation and create even more positive value for society.