Society

Overcoming expectations

Thanh Quynh (Editor) • May 30, 2026 17:05

At the age of 13, Nguyen Nhat Linh – a 7th-grade student and Deputy Head of the Youth Union at Le Mao Secondary School – has already amassed a remarkable record of achievements, including being a representative of the National "Good Children of Uncle Ho" program, winning the Kim Dong Award at the national level, a Silver Medal in the TIMO International Mathematics Olympiad, and numerous other awards for academics, Youth Union activities, and cultural and artistic achievements at various levels. However, behind these accomplishments, Linh remains a pure and innocent girl with the genuine thoughts and feelings of a typical schoolgirl.

Thanh Quynh(Perform) /Present:Hong ToaiMay 30, 2026

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At the age of 13, Nguyen Nhat Linh – a 7th-grade student and Deputy Head of the Youth Union at Le Mao Secondary School (Nghe An province) – has already amassed a remarkable record of achievements, including being a representative of the National "Good Children of Uncle Ho" program, winning the Kim Dong Award at the central level, a Silver Medal in the TIMO International Mathematics Olympiad, and numerous other awards for academics, Youth Union activities, and cultural and artistic achievements at various levels. However, behind these accomplishments, Linh remains a pure and innocent girl with the genuine thoughts and feelings of a typical schoolgirl.

On the occasion of International Children's Day on June 1st, Nghe An Newspaper and Radio & Television had a conversation with Nhat Linh to better understand today's young generation – children growing up with many opportunities to learn, explore, and shine. But they also carry the heavy expectations of their families, schools, and society.

PV:Looking at your impressive track record, many people would probably think you're a girl who's "good at everything, always doing it well." But do you ever feel tired from always trying so hard because of the expectations placed upon you?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:Instead of seeing myself as a girl who is "always brilliant," I feel fortunate to have always been a girl who is "always loved by everyone." Because the achievements I have made are not only due to my own efforts, but also thanks to the encouragement and support of my parents, teachers, and loved ones around me.

I always look to that love for motivation to strive every day, so I don't feel tired. And if there are times when I feel pressured or a little more tired, I believe that my family and teachers will always be a strong source of emotional support for me to rest, "recharge," and continue trying.

PV:Have there ever been times when you just wanted to have fun without thinking about exams or achievements?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:I think all children love to play, and so do I. I'm not a bookworm either. I still enjoy going out, watching movies, chatting with friends, or relaxing after school.

But instead of avoiding studying or exams, I always try to balance my time between studying and leisure. When you manage your time effectively, studying becomes much easier. I think the important thing is to find a balance so that you can both study well and still have a happy childhood appropriate for your age.

To achieve balance, first and foremost, I don't put pressure on myself to always be perfect or outstanding. I just try my best to achieve the goals I set for myself. As long as I grow a little more each day, a little better than the day before, that's already a very valuable "achievement" for me!

PV:For you, what would a beautiful childhood be like?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:For me, a beautiful childhood is very simple. It's about happily going to school every day, acquiring valuable knowledge, playing with friends, and most importantly, living in the loving embrace of grandparents, parents, teachers, and friends. That childhood becomes even more meaningful when I have the opportunity to accumulate more skills and beautiful memories for myself.

PV:When do you feel truly loved and happiest?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:From a young age, I've always felt incredibly fortunate to have lived surrounded by the love of my grandparents and parents. For me, happiness is often just a family meal, words of encouragement from my parents, or the feeling of being cared for and watched over by everyone.

Besides that, there are also moments that make me feel happy in a more special way, perhaps when my efforts are recognized. It's not just about receiving awards or achievements, but about seeing the joy and pride in the eyes of my parents and teachers after all my hard work. At times like these, I feel that all my efforts are worthwhile and I gain more motivation to continue improving myself every day.

PV:In my opinion, what aspects of children do adults today not truly understand?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:I think it might be due to differences in perspective between the two generations. Adults tend to view children through their own past experiences, while now the living environment, learning methods, and how young people interact with the world have changed significantly.

Therefore, sometimes today's children are not just "good students" in the traditional sense, but also young people who are finding ways to express their thoughts and personalities. They may also make mistakes, make wrong choices, but that is also part of the process of learning to grow up.

I think if adults and children could understand that each generation grows up differently, and be more patient in listening to each other, it would be easier to find common ground.

PV:If I could say one thing to my parents, teachers, and the adults around me, what would I hope they would change or listen to children more about?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:I hope adults can spend more time listening to children's genuine thoughts, feelings, and desires in their daily lives, instead of just judging them by their academic results or pre-existing expectations.

However, I think understanding must come from both sides. It's not just about parents or teachers listening more; children themselves should also proactively open up and share their thoughts and feelings with their families and teachers so that everyone can understand each other better.

Sometimes children have very personal feelings, but they are too shy or don't know how to express them to speak up. If both sides are willing to listen and share, I think the gap between adults and children will narrow.

PV:Besides being academically gifted, what qualities do you think a child needs to possess to earn the title of "Good Child of Uncle Ho" in today's era?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:In my opinion, besides being academically successful, the title "Good Child of Uncle Ho" in today's era is also reflected in how students live and behave in their daily lives. This means knowing how to love and respect those around them, being ready to help friends when needed, and living responsibly with their words and actions.

Furthermore, I think another very important thing is the spirit of self-learning, self-improvement, and the ability to adapt to life's changes. Learning shouldn't just be about books, but also about learning from experiences and from those around you, so that you grow a little more each day.

PV:You are one of the outstanding children of Nghe An province with many remarkable achievements. Looking back on your journey from elementary school to now, what do you remember most?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:One of my most memorable experiences was participating in the "Vietnamese Children Reaching Out to the World" competition in 2024. The competition helped me discover many new things and broaden my perspective on the world around me. The best feeling was probably working in a team with my friends and clearly feeling the spirit of unity. We brainstormed ideas, created a script for the competition, and assigned tasks according to each person's abilities. Each member contributed their own unique skills, and this harmonious collaboration resulted in a truly proud achievement.

During the preparation process, we also encountered many difficulties, from finding ideas and perfecting the content to practicing. There were times when everything seemed impossible to complete, but when the whole group tried hard, worked diligently, and always encouraged and supported each other, things gradually became more feasible. I think it was that spirit of unity that helped our group achieve well-deserved results and bring a memorable achievement to the school.

Looking back on the past years, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in many competitions and meaningful programs and activities organized by the Youth Union and Children's Union. I am even luckier because these experiences have brought me not only achievements, but also many valuable lessons, experiences, and beautiful childhood memories. These will be precious assets that will help me find joy as I continue on my path to adulthood.

PV:As part of a generation of students who grew up with social media, how do you see the online environment impacting children? And what do you do to use social media positively while still maintaining connection with life, family, friends, and real-world experiences?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:Social media offers many benefits for learning and connecting, helping me and my friends access information faster, learn new things, and broaden our understanding of the world around us. However, if not used wisely, it can easily lead to distractions or spending too much time on content that isn't truly necessary.

For me, I always try to be proactive in using social media, not letting it control me. I clearly divide my time between studying, resting, and entertainment. Instead of aimlessly browsing the internet, I prioritize using it to search for study materials, learn new languages, and hone essential skills.

Besides that, I also set myself some "small rules" such as not using my phone for entertainment for more than 20 minutes, limiting social media use before bedtime, and always prioritizing finishing my studies before entertainment. I also try to spend more time with family, friends, and outdoor activities to have a more balanced life.

PV:On International Children's Day, June 1st, what message would you like to send to your peers?

Nguyen Nhat Linh:I hope you will all always maintain the cheerful and innocent spirit appropriate for your age, even when facing academic challenges or minor pressures in life.

I think it's important for each of you to find a balance: study seriously when needed, but don't forget to take time to have fun, relax, and do the things you enjoy.

Wishing you all a meaningful International Children's Day, a safe summer vacation filled with wonderful experiences, and may you always maintain a positive spirit to continue striving on your journeys ahead.