Teacher Bui Huu Ninh, his hair is now white, but he does not forget any mark or memory in his special journey with Viet Duc High School, from his time as a student studying here in 1959, until he was a Math teacher in 1972, became the school's Vice Principal in 1986, held the position of Principal in 2001, and retired in 2008.
Viet Duc High School is about to celebrate its 70th anniversary, I have been here for 36 years as a teaching and management teacher. If including my time in school, I have been attached to the school for nearly 40 years. It was also a rare journey. Perhaps, I am familiar with every corner, even the grass in the school yard, like a children's house near the old school gate, which was also designed by me..." - Mr. Bui Huu Ninh said.
The brilliant youth of 70 generations of students
There is a famous saying with the meaning, "the people you meet at the age of 18 will be unforgettable in your life". That is, the 17-18 age threshold is very important, as each of us has to face decisive choices on our journey to adulthood.
For nearly 40 years at Viet Duc High School, Mr. Bui Huu Ninh has witnessed the ups and downs, the changes of the times, generations of students with brilliant youth in different ways, when living in different historical periods.
Viet Duc High School was established on March 3,5. The house at 47 Ly Thuong Kiet Street (under the French occupation of Carreau Street) was formerly the schools of the Cong Cong named after the Venerable Puginier and was built in 1897.
I became a student of the High School for the Gifted in 1959. During those years, we were free, life was difficult and miserable, but the spirit and will of the nation were very strong. We students go to school in the morning and participate in collective labor in the afternoon. Especially on weekends, my students are very active and enthusiastic about participating in building roads on Thanh Nien Street, participating in the construction of Thu Le Park, Bay Mau Lake... At that time, Hanoi was of course very different from now. Around Ha-le Lake are poor villages, we wade through mud up to our knees, but the spirit is so excited" - Mr. Bui Huu Ninh recalled.
In 1965, the US launched a plot to escalate the war, launching a phaotee in the North, many classes of students put pencils to study and volunteered to join the army.
Viet Duc School organized the sending of many generations of students to the battlefield, supporting the Quang Tri, Khe Sanh, and Duong 9 fronts... I was the youngest child in class at that time. I still remember, one day, the teacher called me and a few friends to the meeting room.
He said: The US hit the North because the US lost to us strategically. Another very important task at this time is to prepare for the post-war period. Building the country after the war. And I am eligible to study abroad.
After 50 years of national reunification, Mr. Bui Huu Ninh still remembers the times he sent his friend off the battlefield, still tearfully recalling, many of my friends at Viet Duc School have sacrificed and are forever on the battlefield.
"A letter sent from the earth" - is a special composition by musician Phan Lai Trieu, a former student of Viet Duc School, Class 1963 still in 2016. The song was composed by him based on the real story of Martyr Le Van Huynh - who sacrificed himself in the 80 days and nights battle to protect the ancient citadel of Quang Tri in 1972, The letter sent from the youth, from the youth of that generation of students, is courage and sacrifice for the country to have peace.
After peace, the school expanded its training scale, and many high-quality classes were formed. The school has become a bright spot in the capital's education, nurturing many generations of excellent students.
Opening the school's anniversary can see the generation of " reticent" and famous students who have contributed to building the country in many fields and many professions throughout the 70-year journey.
70 years of the country have gone through historical turning points, from war, peace to reconstruction, construction and development. That is also the 70th year that the generation of teachers of Viet Duc High School has contributed to building a famous educational brand in the capital, training generations of excellent students - contributing to building and developing the country.
What will you tell me about the school you studied at the age of 18?
Hong Loan was born in 1993, a female student in the 2008 - 2011 school year, and is now a journalist. For Hong Loan, Viet Duc School is very special, because in addition to providing knowledge base training, the school has 27 clubs - with many topics for students to participate in activities.
I join a basketball club, a media club. The school has guided me to become a journalist. Looking back on the journey I have gone through, looking back at the age of 18 at Viet Duc High School, it has always been a wonderful dream of mine" - Hong Loan said.
Many other former students when asked about their 16-17-18 years of studying at Viet Duc High School only smiled and said: "Very proud".
For Mr. Bui Huu Ninh, long after the conversation with the reporter, he still sat still under the base of an ancient tree at the school gate. Because for him, Viet Duc High School is a huge part of his life, his entire career, and he will always love him.
I am very proud that students of Viet Duc School, after graduating, are still very affectionate with their teachers and the school.
When each former student returns to school, they have their own way to express gratitude to their former teachers and schools. That is also the way they grow up, mature - as we expect.
But what I remember most, what moved me most, was probably the image of my former student - a soldier returning from the war in 1975. He packed his backpack on his shoulder and walked along Hang Co station to find my house. My house at that time was near Hang Co Station. When we met, my teachers and students hugged and cried. Peace has come, and my students - some have returned, continue to build the country".
