From a rented room, a young couple in Thanh Chuong district wrote their own story of overcoming difficulties to build a happy home.
In Dung town, Thanh Chuong district, local people still speak fondly of the couple Nguyen Quang Tien (born in 1988) and Tran Thi Trang (born in 1990), not only because they were honored as an exemplary young family of the province in 2021, but also because behind that simple home lies a journey of overcoming difficulties, spreading love, and instilling a passion for art in many children.
Dedicating ourselves to spreading the love of art.
Every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, little Nguyen Bao Anh (born in 2016, Yen Xuan hamlet, Thanh Ngoc commune, Thanh Chuong district) excitedly accompanies her grandmother to the dance class run by Ms. Tran Thi Trang and her husband.
Showing a talent for singing and dancing from an early age, Bảo Anh was enrolled in Ms. Trang's dance class by her grandmother in the first grade – as a small gift to allow her to have fun, exercise, and freely pursue her passions after school. Having lived away from her parents since childhood, Bảo Anh grew up with her maternal grandparents. Perhaps that's why she considers Ms. Trang her second mother.
Everything remained peaceful until Bao Anh entered second grade. A sudden tragedy struck when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Their already difficult family situation became even more burdened with worry. She was forced to temporarily stop her dance classes, which caused her to become somewhat withdrawn.
Understanding Bao Anh's circumstances, for the past two years, teacher Tran Thi Trang and her husband have decided to completely waive her tuition fees so that Bao Anh can continue her studies. Encouraged by her teacher, loved by her friends, and living her passion, Bao Anh gradually rediscovered her joy. Last school year, she continued to maintain her title as an outstanding student and was also a prominent performer in the arts and culture activities of her class and Thanh Ngoc Primary School.
It's not just Bao Anh; over the past time, many children in Thanh Chuong district have been discovered, nurtured, and supported by Ms. Tran Thi Trang and Mr. Nguyen Quang Tien on their journey to pursue various art forms.
One notable example is Tran Vo Khanh Huyen, who, after many years of studying with Ms. Trang, confidently shone and won a Gold Medal at the "Nghe An Talent Search" competition organized by the Provincial Youth Union in 2024. Many other students of Ms. Trang have also won awards at the district and provincial levels in dance, singing, and stage performance competitions.
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The performances choreographed and prop-prepared by the couple have left a lasting impression and brought many achievements to their district. Notable examples include the Second Prize in the 2015 Revolutionary Song Propaganda Contest and the First Prize in the competition.Singing folk songs in school In 2018, she won a Silver Medal at the Phoenix Trung Do Sports Dance Competition; in 2019, she choreographed a performance that won Second Prize at the 2024 Workers' Singing Contest and received a certificate of merit from the Nghe An Provincial Buddhist Association for choreographing a work that won Gold Prize at the "Thang Long Spirit" Camp in 2023 organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Association... These are testaments to the persistent, quiet, yet loving journey of nurturing talent that Ms. Tran Thi Trang and her husband are pursuing.
Beyond their passion for art, Trang and her husband are also dedicated to charitable work. As active members of the Thanh Chuong District Charity Club, they participate in charitable programs such as providing free meals, fundraising cultural events, and trips to remote areas, bringing meaningful gifts, both material and spiritual, to children and vulnerable people. During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple even handcrafted over 300 face shields to donate to medical facilities and quarantine areas in the district.
The journey of spreading love undertaken by Trang and her husband has touched the hearts of many local people. Although they now have a spacious home and a happy family with their two young children, behind these achievements lies a long and arduous journey, where love was their only asset, holding hands as they moved forward together.
Love is a pillar of support.
Speaking about her husband, Ms. Tran Thi Trang shared that in 2008, she passed the entrance exam to the Nghe An College of Culture and Arts, while Mr. Nguyen Quang Tien studied Industrial Fine Arts at the Nghe An Vocational School of Economics and Industry. Their love blossomed from chance encounters, and they gradually bonded through months of studying together and sharing difficulties in the city.
In 2011, after graduating, Trang returned to her hometown to work and continued her studies in a part-time program at the Hanoi University of Culture. Tien went to Hanoi and applied for a job at the Cai Luong Theatre in the props and scenery department.
Their love faced many more challenges, especially during the years they lived apart. At the end of 2014, they decided to get married, officially becoming husband and wife.
Our home back then was just a simple rented room. “The wedding bed my husband and I used was borrowed from the landlord. Many nights, I came home late from work in heavy rain and had to stay up all night just to protect the furniture from getting wet. At times like that, I just wished my husband and I had stable jobs and could be together,” Trang confided.
Out of love for his wife's hard work, in May 2015, Tien decided to quit his job in Hanoi and return to his hometown to start over with her. He began by assisting her in designing dance props, then taught himself tailoring and costume design. Each dance dress and prop was meticulously crafted by his own hands.
Starting from a small shop renting performance costumes, the couple overcame many difficulties together to gradually build an art class named after Ms. Trang. This is not only a place for many children in the area to learn dance, but also a space to nurture passion and spread love of art. Besides teaching dance, they have also expanded their services to include wedding decoration and bridal car flower arrangements, all with diligence and skillful hands.
Love has become their strength and support, helping them through their most difficult times. From a cramped rented room and a borrowed wedding bed years ago, they now have a complete and fulfilling home. Their two young children are well-behaved and have shown a talent for singing from a young age. Ms. Trang has also been entrusted with the role of Vice President of the Thanh Chuong District Youth Union.
Looking back on the journey we've taken, I realize that the most precious thing isn't what we've achieved, but the love that's always present in our home – a place we both cherish and nurture with sincerity and understanding.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Tien
