Blending in with the bustling and exuberant atmosphere of the Vietnamese Women’s Union foundation day 20.10, let’s listen to our teacher Bui Hoai Thanh’s meaningful and genuine talk with Ams Wide Web!

Reporter: Hello, teacher. On behalf of Hanoi- Amsterdam high school Website, we are thankful that you have agreed to attend our interview for the celebration of National’s Women day 20.10! As a literature teacher, you would certainly like to have a gentle and romantic lifestyle, right? So, after working, what are the things you like to do most?

As a matter of fact, I believe that not only Literature teachers, but most of us will also strive towards a life rich in spiritual values besides all the basic necessities. However, I must admit the influence of literature also makes me tend to hope for a more romantic lifestyle, rather than the realistic and vibrant one around us. But, of course, we cannot be too impractical- that’s what I thought! In my free time, apart from the concern for my family and friends, I also create my own patch of sky. When I have time to kill, I normally travel and photograph, or simply watch a movie or read a new book when I have less free time!

Teacher Bui Hoai Thanh’s face radiant in the sunlight

Reporter: Wow, you have such valuable likings and hobbies, teacher! Can you tell us the ways you balance between teaching and your preferences?

For me, there is a way of which I can harmonize between work and hobbies, between responsibility and passion. It’s because all my likings and devotion contribute greatly to the subject I teach, Literature. Through my subject, I had the opportunities to share my stories, my experience, my emotions from the trips, the photos I’ve taken and the people I’ve met,...with my students. These are all my precious real-life experiences and insights I’ve gleaned from the times I “wander”. As for Literature itself, it helps us discover and understand the beauty of life; to love or to hate the truth. Literature gives us the sense of self and urges us to test our own limits. Well, at least, it encourages us to read, to see, to travel and to take photos!

Reporter: I know that you are a former Amser of class 94-97. Having been together with Ams for nearly 20 years, I would like to ask you about the thing you’re most impressed and proud of about Ams’ girls.

Ams’ girls all have interesting personalities which make them well distinct from other schoolgirls. They study well, but not at all dry as dust. They’re intelligent and agile, but still very elegant and delicate. Ams’ girls are very strong, confident and independent. This can’t be found in any other school girls, though, because to be honest, Ams is where the talents unite. Therefore, Ams’ girls must learn to learn and play well...like the boys! (laugh)

“Ams’ girls are very strong and confident”

Reporter: An ideal Vietnamese women in the past must possess four characteristics: Morality – Appearance – Speech – Behavior. Do you think this conception still carries weight in today’s developed society and inter-cultural diversity?

I believe that this is still the necessary standard to evaluate  beautiful women throughout time. However, in this day and age, women all have the chance to express their true colors. An ideal woman today will not only be acknowledged with these characteristics above, but also their intelligence, honor and bravery. They do not have to show their "great sacrifice" towards people, since more and more of them are protected and respected. Up until now, Vietnamese women are the representation of equality, independence and self-loving.

Reporter: With that viewpoint, would you like to give any advice to female students who are currently studying in Hanoi-Amsterdam High School?
I highly appreciate the role of Ams' girls in this dynamic and positive learning environment. Nevertheless, besides modern values, they should also preserve traditional ones, in order to improve themselves bit by bit. It is necessary to have enough knowledge and bravery to embrace those values. Never stop perfecting your inner selves by learning firstly from your families (your mother, sisters,..), then schools (from teachers and friends...), and at last, society. If you learn from the smallest things such as how to eat, to wear, to greet,...), you will, step by step, create your own beauty which comes from the soul . On the whole,  I believe that beauty can't be defined at once, but rather through a long process, in which consistency contributes a huge part. Dear Ams' girls, please remember to bear this in mind!

What a meaningful talk with miss Bui Hoai Thanh! On the occasion of the National Women's day 20.10, Amsers would like to wish you and all of our teachers good health, and never forgetting to cultivate more and more generations of passionate students!