Why did Dai Nam University kick off the new academic year with two films and a touching conversation?

Amidst the hustle and bustle of preparations for the 2026-2027 academic year, Dai Nam University chose not to begin with plans, figures, or targets. Instead, the university chose to start with a moment of quiet reflection. A moment of quiet reflection alongside two renowned documentaries by People's Artist and director Tran Van Thuy: "Hanoi in the Eyes of Others" and "Stories of Kindness ." Because before opening a new academic year, perhaps the first thing that needs to be opened is the conscience, responsibility, and kindness of each person involved in education.

A MOMENT OF QUIET BEFORE THE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Why, amidst the hectic preparations for the 2026 Opening Week, did more than 1,000 faculty and staff members of Dai Nam University gather together, silently watching two films that were released more than forty years ago?

Because before embarking on a new journey, sometimes what we need isn't more plans, targets, or lectures, but rather a moment of quiet reflection, deep enough for each person to look back at themselves.

"Hanoi in the Eyes of Others" is not simply a story about Hanoi. The film reminds intellectuals of their responsibility to the country and the times: they must cherish history, preserve identity, have self-respect, dare to look directly at the truth, and not be satisfied with superficial things.

The film poses a question to each of us: Through what eyes are we looking at life, our country, and the people around us?

" The Story of Kindness," on the other hand, is a poignant reflection on human dignity. Amidst the worries of life, the upheavals of society, and the ever-increasing pressures, can we still maintain compassion, empathy, and kindness towards one another?

These two films don't shout slogans or offer dry, preachy sermons. Instead, they slowly place each person before the mirror of their own conscience.

For those working in education, this reflection becomes even more profound. Because a teacher needs not only knowledge to teach, but also conscience to understand, compassion to accompany, and kindness to uplift a person.

LEARNERS NEED TO BE SEEN THROUGH EYES OF UNDERSTANDING

In every classroom, there are always students who excel and those who struggle; some achieve high grades, while others make mistakes, fall behind, or face the risk of dropping out. Some students are always cheerful in class, but behind that smile may lie family pressures, financial difficulties, psychological trauma, or stories their teachers are unaware of.

Therefore, the philosophy of "Understanding to accompany" doesn't begin with grand gestures, but is formed from the way each teacher sees a student making a mistake, the way they listen to someone who needs help, the caution to avoid hastily judging before fully understanding the story, or simply a timely question, an unbiased glance, a patient explanation, or a helping hand when a student is about to give up.

Students may forget parts of the lectures, forget the formulas written on the blackboard, but they may remember for a lifetime the understanding gaze, patient listening, and kindness that their teachers showed them during the most difficult times.

Therefore, a happy school is never built solely on beautiful buildings, modern classrooms, or outstanding achievements. Such a school is nurtured by people who understand each other with empathy, treat each other with compassion, and always place the growth of their students at the center of all their actions.

This is also the spiritual gift that Dai Nam University wants to send to each staff member and lecturer on the eve of the new academic year: to fully accompany students, first and foremost, look at people with eyes of understanding and love, and walk alongside them with kindness.

THE MEETING LEFT THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE SILENT.

After reviewing the two works with faculty and staff of Dai Nam University, director and People's Artist Tran Van Thuy had a sincere and moving conversation with those working in education. He shared: "I have had hundreds of thousands of encounters in my life. But perhaps this is one of the most moving."

Those simple words silenced the entire audience. It wasn't just a thank you for the hospitality of Dai Nam University, but also a profound expression of empathy from an artist who has dedicated almost his entire life to observing, reflecting on, and making films about the Vietnamese people.

Throughout *Hanoi in the Eyes of Others* , *A Story of Kindness* , and many other works, director Tran Van Thuy's pursuit has never been merely filmmaking. Behind each frame lies a profound love for his country; behind seemingly ordinary stories is a yearning for a better society, where people live in peace and happiness and are treated with compassion.

He spoke about the country with the sincerity of someone who had lived through war, experienced great historical upheavals, and witnessed many changes in the times. What he longed for was not something far-fetched, but for the people to live happier lives, for society to become better, and for those in positions of responsibility to always care for and empathize with the people, placing their happiness above all else.

This sentiment reminds the listener of Nguyen Trai's thought from over six centuries ago: "The essence of benevolence and righteousness lies in ensuring the people's peace." Perhaps this is also the spiritual source that runs through director Tran Van Thuy's works: love for one's country must ultimately be expressed through love for its people; the development of a society must ultimately be measured by the peace and happiness of its people.

A MESSAGE TO EDUCATORS

When asked what message he wanted to convey to educators, director Tran Van Thuy expressed his wish that teachers would persevere in nurturing future generations, so as to be worthy of the efforts of previous generations who have worked hard to build the country. This is not just a message, but also a transmission of responsibility between generations.

According to him, educators today not only impart knowledge, provide vocational training, or help students obtain a degree, but also contribute to shaping character, instilling self-respect, and fostering civic responsibility in young people who will build the future of the country.

A good lecture can help students understand a subject. A good training program can help students get a job. But only a teacher with conscience, responsibility, and kindness can help a young person regain self-belief, rise from mistakes, and grow into a useful member of society.

Therefore, the more knowledgeable educators are, the more humility they need; the more authority they have in evaluating students, the more cautious they must be in every comment and decision; and the higher their position in leadership, the more they must understand that what lies ahead is not just student IDs, transcripts, or statistics, but human beings with vastly different circumstances, dreams, and traumas.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT IS MORALITY

When addressing the younger generation, director Tran Van Thuy doesn't first talk about success, money, or fame. The first thing he mentions in his book, "Stories from the Profession, " is two words: "Ethics."

These two seemingly simple words are the foundation of all knowledge and maturity. A person may be highly intelligent, possess extensive knowledge, and have strong professional skills, but if they lack ethics, compassion, and kindness towards others, their accomplishments may not necessarily contribute positively to society.

Knowledge is only truly meaningful when used to serve humanity. Competence is only truly valuable when accompanied by responsibility. And success is only truly sustainable when people do not lose their kindness on their journey to success.

WHAT REMAINS AFTER THE TWO FILMS

Sharing his thoughts after the film screening and Q&A session, Dr. Le Dac Son, Chairman of the University Council of Dai Nam University, said that he was moved to tears several times.

"What impressed me was not only the artistic value of the two films, but also the personality of the filmmakers. Meeting Mr. Tran Van Thuy, I felt like I was transported back to my youth, reliving memories of Hanoi and listening to his profound reflections on humanity and the country."

According to Dr. Le Dac Son, the development of a nation is built upon many factors such as institutions, education, science and technology, and financial resources, but the most important foundation remains its people.

"The mission of education is not only to train people with excellent professional skills, but more importantly, to train people with good character. That is also the responsibility that Dai Nam University always pursues."

What troubled him most was the image of a Hanoi that, despite facing many hardships, was rich in self-respect, knew how to share food and clothing, and treated each other with sincerity.

"I've always wondered why, during the war years and times of hardship, people could live together with such kindness and compassion. But when life becomes more prosperous, kindness sometimes becomes rarer. A country that wants sustainable development must first and foremost be kind to its own people."

Concluding the presentation, the Chairman of the School Board expressed his special respect to director and People's Artist Tran Van Thuy.

"I think Mr. Tran Van Thuy dedicated his entire life to persistently building a bridge connecting people with one another through conscience, truth, and kindness. That is also the greatest value that the two films leave for all of us today."

Perhaps the greatest value of the film screening and the gathering lies not in what was said, but in what remains after the lights in the auditorium dim. It's a moment of quiet reflection, allowing each educator to look back on themselves, find renewed inspiration for their profession, strengthen their belief in the values education can create, and remind themselves of their responsibility to each student.

That is also the reason why Dai Nam University chose two films by director Tran Van Thuy to inaugurate the new academic year. Beyond simply opening a learning journey, the university hopes to awaken conscience, responsibility, and kindness in each staff member and lecturer. Because when teachers maintain conscience and kindness, students will always have someone to trust, a support system for growth, and a role model to follow.

Therefore, when every person at Dai Nam lives with the spirit of "Understanding to accompany," a new school year will not only be measured by achievements, but also by the students who are supported, the beliefs that are preserved, and the lives that are changed for the better thanks to the dedication of educators.