Society

The admirable self-study journey of an 82-year-old man

Diep Thanh • October 1, 2025 11:10

The story of Mr. Dinh Trong Xoan (82 years old), in block 5 Ha Huy Tap, Vinh Phu ward, conveys the message: No matter what age, if we still have passion and love for the community, we can still continue to write our lives with good things.

"New Chapter" of Teacher Xoan

Once a PhD lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, in 1997, after deciding to settle down in his hometown Nghe An, Mr. Dinh Trong Xoan took on the role of Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Industry. In 2003, Mr. Xoan retired. At that time, many people thought he would leisurely spend time with bonsai, friends, poetry, and leisure after years of busy dedication. But unlike everyone else, not letting his brain "retire early", he opened a new chapter for himself at retirement age: Learning to use computers.

"After retirement, I was trusted by the people to be the Party Cell Leader and Branch Leader of the Association.Association for Promotion of Educationgrade 7 (old). The work was not hard but sometimes I had to make lists, compose documents... To take on these tasks myself, I decided to invest in a computer and learn to use it myself - first by taking an Office Informatics course", Mr. Xoan recalled.

At that time, computers were not as popular as they are now and IT training centers were still sparse. With diligence and hard work, the older student quickly mastered the computer and continued to learn more skills in using Word and Excel software to compose documents, make estimates, and do statistics...

At the same time, with his prestige and ability, he was invited to be the manager and estimator for the project to build a large brewery in Vinh. While working with foreign partners, he was amazed to see engineers who could draw hundreds of designs in just one session. “So cool! If I draw by hand in a day, I might not be able to finish one! I have to learn!” - thinking and doing, Mr. Xoan took an additional AutoCAD drawing course.

During many years in charge of the project, from the day the first bricks were laid until the factory was officially assembled and put into use, he gained the absolute trust and respect of the investor and construction partners. With his carefulness, science, meticulousness and precision, he even asked the German construction unit to pay a fine of hundreds of millions of dong for breach of contract - something that no one thought could be done.

The end of the project was also when he was trusted by the people to be elected to a new role - Secretary of the Party cell of the block. With his wholehearted devotion to the work of the organization and the block, with his prestige, he was continuously assigned many other roles: Head of the Block Front Work Committee, Chairman of the Association of Former Teachers of Ha Huy Tap Ward (old), Vice Chairman of the Ward Education Promotion Association, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Poland Friendship Association of Nghe An Province... His scientific and modern working style has innovated the activities of the organization and block, bringing positive results.

He drafted and processed most of the documents, plans, reports, papers, etc. himself on the computer. Each movement and activity of the block had the mark of careful and scientific preparation, not inferior to that of a professional agency.

Before he had a smartphone, Mr. Xoan bought a camera to learn how to take pictures. Taking pictures became a habit, and Mr. Xoan's pictures created a rich visual archive for the process of building and developing the block and the community.

To encourage people's spirit, he - from a person who knew nothing about poetry, learned to write poetry, which he himself jokingly called a "poetry tent" with works of poetry celebrating longevity, poems encouraging movements, propaganda poems... Thanks to that, each block activity became more connected, warm, and joyful.

More than 10 years ago, alley 23 Hoang Van Thu street (Vinh Phu ward) was just a narrow path less than 2m wide, winding with 14 households. But now, that alley has turned into a 4.1m wide road, with standard drainage ditches, straight and neat fences. Behind that "transformation" is Mr. Xoan's exemplary efforts and persistent advocacy. Not only alley 23 but also a series of other alleys around it have "changed" thanks to him: The fences are no longer protruding, concave, no longer have scattered small advertisements but instead are colorful murals, many indiscriminate garbage collection points have been eliminated, returning cleanliness and civilization, adding more stone benches and trash cans along the canal park...

Just live happily!

At the end of 2023, after a medical examination, Mr. Xoan discovered that he was suffering from a serious illness. The bad news made everyone around him - the people who loved him, worried and confused. He calmly went to Hanoi for another medical examination and upon returning, he decided not to have surgery but to treat it with medicine with the attitude: Continue to enjoy life!

“

"Want the brain not to freeze
This age can not be in the business world
Participate in ward work
To give the brain no rest
It's a way to have fun
Don't let your brain rest to prolong life"

Teacher Dinh Trong Xuan

He humorously shared: “I see illness as a faithful lover. Even though I am old and ugly, that lover still does not leave me.” Mr. Xoan’s optimism and positive attitude towards life make everyone, including the doctors who treat him, admire him. Perhaps it is thanks to that attitude that at the age of 82, with a serious illness, Mr. Xoan still maintains a quick, neat style, his face always seems to be cheerful, his voice is slow and calm.

Now, Mr. Xoan no longer holds as many positions as before, he only retains the role of Head of the Ha Huy Tap Grade 5 Encouragement Association and Vice President of the Vietnam - Poland Friendship Association of Nghe An province. Every day, he still maintains the habit of studying, working on an "old-fashioned" computer, playing volleyball, visiting people, taking care of bonsai trees... When he has time, he will join tours to satisfy his passion for traveling and exploring. When needed, he still accepts to make wall newspapers for the grade, still composes poetry, still lets his mind be active, so that each passing day is complete and meaningful.

Commenting on this special citizen in the ward, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga Son - Permanent Vice President of the Ward Fatherland Front Committee, President of the Women's Union of Vinh Phu Ward shared: "Although she is no longer standing on the podium, she is still "teaching" lessons about responsibility, dedication, attitude towards life... through her own actions and way of life".