Vice President of Dai Nam University Board of Directors: Why do international students choose Vietnam for their medical study abroad journey?

Dear distinguished guests, teachers, parents and students,

Today, as we stand together on the campus of Dai Nam University, we are witnessing a moment of historic significance - a milestone that will be remembered for generations to come.

For the first time in Northern Vietnam, a full-scale international medical training program has been established to welcome Indian students. Two hundred young students from all over India have come here, carrying with them a clear vision and hope in their hearts.

This is not just another class of students. This is the first class - the pioneers, the first bricks laying the foundation for an educational project that will reach far beyond what we can imagine today.

Vice Chairman of the School Board - Le Dac Lam.

A moment of gratitude and honor

Before talking about the vision and the journey ahead, let me express my deep gratitude to the distinguished guests present today.

We are honored to welcome leaders, partners in the fields of education and health, and all the lecturers and staff who have contributed to this important day.

On behalf of Dai Nam University, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you who are present to witness this historic milestone - the beginning of a new chapter in Vietnam - India educational cooperation.

The vision that brought us to this day

When we started building this program, we asked ourselves a difficult question: Why do Indian students choose Vietnam?

India has a long tradition of medicine and some of the world’s most prestigious universities. However, each year more than a million Indian students dream of becoming doctors, but only a small fraction are able to secure a place in the country. Many are forced to put their dreams on hold or seek study opportunities abroad – in countries like Ukraine, Georgia, the Philippines…

And we asked ourselves: Why not Vietnam?

Today, Vietnam is not only known for its resilience and strong economic growth, but also for its impressive achievements in the field of health care. Vietnamese doctors have successfully performed many complex organ transplants, advanced heart surgeries, and made important strides in disease prevention and public health care. Vietnam has hospitals that meet international standards, and a team of doctors and nurses recognized throughout Asia for their skills, dedication, and compassion.

Therefore, we believe that Vietnam is not just a good destination - but an ideal destination for medical education, not only for Indian students but for all those who wish to study medicine in a safe, quality, internationally recognized environment.

At Dai Nam University, we have invested in building a system of modern laboratories, comfortable dormitories, and a solid academic foundation to realize this vision. We have brought together a faculty of both Indian and Vietnamese professors - combining expertise with cultural understanding.

The spirit of connecting two peoples

Historically speaking - this show is also a continuation of a story that began long before today.

Thousands of years ago, both the sea and land routes between India and Vietnam were bustling with trade. Along these routes, not only goods were traded, but also ideas and beliefs. From India, Buddhism spread to Vietnam - taking deep root in the spiritual life and becoming a source of inspiration for millions of people.

And in modern times, India's Mahatma Gandhi and Vietnam's President Ho Chi Minh - though living in two different lands - walked parallel paths: both believed that true freedom must be based on sacrifice, education and the spirit of serving the people.

Today, that spirit lives on – not through politics or treaties, but through you, the students of India and Vietnam, studying together, training together, sharing the same ideals. This program is the new chapter of Vietnam – India friendship, written not by businessmen or politicians, but by future doctors – people with the aspiration to serve the community.

The heart of this journey

Dear two hundred pioneer students - you are not just students, you are the ones who write history. In the future, when thousands of other students follow in your footsteps, people will remember the first generation - those who bravely walked when the path was still unmarked.

But you will not be alone on this path. You will become part of a large family of more than 20,000 Vietnamese students at Dai Nam University. You will study together, accompany each other and overcome challenges together. And then you will realize that no matter the language, the hearts of students everywhere are the same - the same beat, the same desire to learn and contribute.

Surely in the first days here, many of you have felt that - when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival together, enjoying Vietnamese food, making new friends, and seeing that Vietnam is not just a destination, but can become a second home.

But with that honor comes responsibility. You carry not only your dreams, but also the faith of your families, the pride of India and the friendship of Vietnam. You will be tested – not just by exams, but also by your perseverance, compassion and integrity.

There will be long nights of studying, moments of doubt, and days that seem impossible to overcome. But remember: medicine is more than just a profession, it is a calling. When you put on your white coat, you carry a promise in your heart - to heal, to serve, and to put the lives of others before your own.

And to the parents who are here or watching from home - we understand that sending your children to study in a faraway country requires a lot of courage, faith and love. Please rest assured: Dai Nam University, together with our partner Aieraa Overseas Studies, has prepared the best conditions for your children to study, live and develop safely and comprehensively.

We will not only teach you about medicine. We will teach you to be good citizens, to live and to be grateful. We will help you understand that being a doctor is not only about saving lives, but also about being grateful to your parents, teachers and society.

When you come back, you will not just be doctors - you will be better citizens. We are ready to make that commitment.

Future Bridge Builders

Dear teachers, staff and school employees - those who are directly accompanying the program:

Teachers not only teach medicine, they also cultivate life values.

Teachers not only impart knowledge, but also inspire, sow confidence and cultivate character for future generations of physicians.

What you sow today will bloom in the future - in hospitals from Hanoi to New Delhi, from villages in India to cities in Vietnam. One day, when these students save a patient in a foreign land, please be proud that you have been a part of that journey - sowing seeds to heal the world. On behalf of the school, I would like to thank you.

Closed – but opening a new page of history

Dear delegates, teachers, parents and students,

Today marks the first page of a story that will continue to be written for generations to come. Let us write that story together with confidence and determination, and above all, with the spirit of service and dedication to the community.

On behalf of Dai Nam University, I would like to welcome all of you - our students and parents, our partners and friends - to a historic milestone being written today.

Welcome to Vietnam. Welcome to Dai Nam University. Welcome to your journey - and welcome to the future you will create. Thank you very much.

------------------------------------------------------------

FULL TEXT OF SPEECH IN ENGLISH

- Excellencies, distinguished dignitaries, respected colleagues, dear parents, and dear students,

Today, as we stand together on this campus of Dai Nam University, we are witnessing a moment that will be remembered for generations.

For the first time in northern Vietnam, a full-scale medical program has been created to welcome Indian students. Two hundred young men and women from across India have traveled here with hope in their eyes and purpose in their hearts.

This is no ordinary intake of students. This is the first batch - the emerging class, the foundation of something that will grow far beyond what we can imagine today. ***

But before we speak of vision and of students, let us take a moment to recognize those whose presence gives meaning and weight to this occasion.

We are honored to welcome our distinguished dignitaries, our valued partners in education and healthcare, and the dedicated faculty and staff who have made this day possible.

On behalf of Dai Nam University, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our honored guests who have joined us to witness this historic milestone - the beginning of a new chapter in Vietnam–India cooperation. Thank you.

When we first decided to create this program, we asked ourselves a difficult question: Why would Indian students choose Vietnam?

India, after all, is home to world-renowned medical institutions and a proud tradition of science and healing. Yet the reality is this: every year, almost two million Indian students dream of becoming doctors, but only a little over one hundred thousand find seats in medical schools at home. Many are forced to set aside their dreams, or to seek education abroad - in countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, the Philippines, and elsewhere.

And so we asked ourselves: Why not Vietnam?

Vietnam today is not only known for its resilience and rapid economic growth; it is also a nation of remarkable progress in healthcare. Our doctors have achieved extraordinary results - from successful organ transplants and advanced cardiac surgeries to breakthroughs in disease prevention and community health. Vietnam is home to hospitals that meet international standards and to medical professionals recognized across Asia for their skill, dedication, and compassion. That is why we believe Vietnam is not just a good destination, but an ideal destination for medical education - not only for Indian students but for anyone who seeks to learn medicine in a safe, affordable, and globally respected environment.

At Dai Nam University, we invested in modern laboratories, safe and welcoming dormitories, and a strong academic foundation to support this vision. We assembled a teaching team of both Indian and Vietnamese professors - uniting expertise with cultural understanding, and knowledge with empathy. ***

From a historic point of view - this program also continues a story that began long before today.

Centuries ago, the connections between India and Vietnam were alive with trade - by sea and overland routes. Ships and caravans carry not only goods and treasures, but also ideas and beliefs. From India came the teachings of the Buddha, which found fertile soil in Vietnam and remains a source of wisdom for millions here today.

In more recent times, Mahatma Gandhi in India and President Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam - though living in different lands - walked parallel paths. Both believed that true freedom must rest on sacrifice, on education, and on service to your nation.

Today, their spirit lives on - not through politics or treats, but through you, the students of India and Vietnam, now sharing the same schools and laboratories. This program is a new chapter in a long friendship - written not by traders or diplomats, but by young doctors united by a common purpose: to heal, to serve, and to bring hope.

To our two hundred young pioneers: you are not just students - you are history-makers.

When the years pass and thousands follow in your footsteps, people will look back to you - the first batch, the ones who had the courage to step forward when the path was still new.

But you will not walk this journey alone. You are now part of a family of more than 20,000 Vietnamese students here at Dai Nam. Together you will study late nights, celebrate victories, and face challenges. Together you will discover that although our languages differ, the heartbeat of a student is the same everywhere - the desire to learn, to serve, and to become more.

I am sure many of you have already felt this during your first days here - celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival, tasting new foods, making new friends, and discovering that Vietnam can be not just a destination, but also a home.

And with this honor comes responsibility. You carry not only your own ambitions, but also the trust of your families, the pride of India, and the friendship of Vietnam. You will be tested not just in examinations, but in resilience, compassion, and integrity.

There will be long nights of study, moments of doubt, and days when the task feels overwhelming. But remember: medicine is not just a science - it is a calling. To wear the white coat is to make a promise - the promise to heal, to serve, and to place the lives of others above your own.

And now, to the parents who are here today or watching from afar: we know that sending your child to study in another country requires courage, faith, and love.

I want you to know that Dai Nam University - together with our partner Aieraa Overseas Studies - has done everything to ensure your children will be safe, supported, and cared for.

We will not only teach them medicine. We will teach them to become responsible citizens - individuals of character and gratitude.

We will instill in them the values of compassion, service, and gratitude - especially grateful to you, their parents, who have sacrificed so much to give them this opportunity.

And when they return to you, they will not only be doctors - they will be better citizens. That we promise you

To our faculty and staff: you are the builders of this bridge.

You are not simply teaching medicine; you are shaping character. You are giving these students not just knowledge, but a sense of mission.

In your classrooms, laboratories, and clinics, you are planting seeds that will grow into forests of healing.

The values you instill today will echo tomorrow in hospitals from Hanoi to Delhi, from villages in India to cities in Vietnam.

I am sure you will do an extraordinary job.

But remember - you are not only educators; you are ambassadors of Dai Nam, and of Vietnam. And you are making history.

Years from now, when these students are saving lives across the globe, know that you were part of that journey - that you helped plant the seeds that continue to heal the world. So thank you for that.

Excellencies, colleagues, parents, and dear students - today marks the first page of a story that will be written for generations. Let us write it with confidence and determination. And above all, let us write it with service to humanity.

On behalf of Dai Nam University, I welcome you - our students and their parents, our partners, and our friends - to history in the making.

Welcome to Vietnam. Welcome to Dai Nam. Welcome to your journey - and welcome to the future you will help shape. Thank you very much.