Art & Cultural Identity
"I don’t create art for applause. I create to express identity, challenge stereotypes, and tell stories that deserve to be heard"
Red Pen is my first poetry collection, a personal project written and published in both Vietnamese and English. I did not write it with any literary goals in mind; my aim was simple: to capture my honest thoughts about youth - its doubts, wounds, memories, and quiet moments of growing up. I chose the title Red Pen because it represents school years, when every student learns to face the fear of making mistakes and dares to express their own voice.
I decided to publish this book at 17 because I believe young people should be heard. Our feelings are real, and our thoughts matter. If these poems can touch even one heart, then this journey is worthwhile. For me, poetry should not be kept hidden in notebooks; it should bring people together through honesty.
Red Pen
a Journey to Find My Voice Through Poetry
The launch of my poetry collection Red Pen at Bui Quoc Khai Primary School was a truly special day for me. For the first time, the poems that once lived only on my computer became a real book - shared with the students along with 900 donated books for the school library.
More than 200 students attended the event, listening as I talked about my writing journey and read my favorite poem, “Red Pen”. Watching their curious, shining eyes, I realized that poetry is more than words, it is a bridge between hearts, connecting generations through beauty, sincerity, and emotion.
Underground ReadEasy Forum, Literature as a Space for Thought
I founded The Underground ReadEasy to create a space where young people read to understand, write to reflect, and engage in dialogue to grow. In an age filled with fast, short, and forgettable content on social media, I believe deep reading and independent thinking are crucial to maintaining intellectual depth and human sensitivity.
In just six months, the forum has grown into a community of over 1,000 students nationwide, publishing hundreds of literary analyses and critical essays. Beyond online discussions, ReadEasy has provided more than 20 free English critical thinking classes for ethnic minority students. It has also partnered with the Vietnam-US Cooperation Center to host a workshop on The Catcher in the Rye, involving more than 250 participants.
For me, literature is not an escape from life. It is a way to understand oneself, explore ideas, and build empathy.
Writing, A Journey of
Intellectual Exploration
My path through literature led me to academic writing as a way to engage with different ideas. Competing in the John Locke Global Essay Prize 2025, I chose the Psychology category to tackle a question central to moral philosophy: “Is empathy truly the foundation of morality or just a biased emotional response?” I drew on Kant’s rational ethics, Jonathan Haidt’s theory of moral intuition, and Paul Bloom’s critique of empathy.
I argued that morality should be guided by both feeling and reason with a sense of responsibility. The essay won a Commendation Prize, but more importantly, it showed me that thinking is not about being right; it’s about seeking the truth.
Commendation Prize, 2025 Global Essay Prize in Psychology, John Locke International Writing Competition
Music, The Voice of Identity
If writing helps me understand the world, music lets me connect with people beyond words. I chose the Vietnamese bamboo flute not just as an instrument but as a way to preserve cultural identity. I believe tradition should not be confined to a museum, it should be alive, change, and be heard. In 2025, I represented Vietnam at the Asia Pacific Arts Festival in Taiwan and won the Silver Award with two folk pieces, “Lý Cây Đa” and “Đi Cấy” For me, it was more than a music prize; it was an opportunity to share the sound of Vietnam with the world, keeping culture not as a memory but as a force.
Performance - "Ngay Hoi Anh Tai"
As a Performer and Team Coordinator at "Ngay Hoi Anh Tai", the largest annual art event at my school, I led a team of 20 students to create a theatrical performance about modern student identity. I discovered that art is not just about dazzling the stage; it’s about sharing emotions that linger after the lights go out.
Ams Got Talent
At Ams’ Got Talent, I blended creativity with leadership as Vice Head of Finance while also performing. I managed a budget of 200 million VND, raised 60 million VND, and drew in over 1,500 audience members. This experience taught me that when art is handled with professionalism, it creates true value—not only in emotion but also in community and opportunities.