Tiếng Việt
Home
Introduction
Announcements
Student Essential
Event attendance lists
The graduation ceremony at Nguyen Tat Thanh University that day was not only a farewell moment for hundreds of students, but also the culmination of a persistent journey for a petite girl named Nguyen Ngoc Kieu – the valedictorian of Hotel Management, Faculty of Tourism.
With a GPA of 3.8, three consecutive years of receiving academic encouragement scholarships, along with a consolation prize for university-level scientific research poster design, Kieu not only topped the transcript board but also stood out for her serious, consistent, and persistent way of learning – something not every student can maintain throughout four years of university.
Not studying merely to get by
Right from her freshman year, when stepping into the Faculty of Tourism – Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Kieu set a rule for herself: no cramming, no studying merely to get by.
“I realized that letting lessons chase after me would be very exhausting. So, I chose to study consistently and learn right in class. Listening carefully, asking immediately when I didn’t understand, and then just reviewing at home,” Kieu shared.
In a highly practical training environment like Hotel Management, this method of learning becomes even more crucial. Courses at NTTU do not just stop at theory but continuously introduce simulated real-world hotel environment situations.
“The lecturers don’t ask us how much we have memorized, but rather how we would handle it if we were an employee or a manager. If you don’t understand the core nature of the issue, you can’t answer,” Kieu said.
Precisely having to “think like an industry professional” while still in the lecture halls helped Kieu avoid being overwhelmed when stepping into the real-world environment.
Faculty of Tourism – where students experience the real profession
Studying Hotel Management at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Kieu soon realized that the service industry is not just about smiles and glamour. It is a job of organization, discipline, pressure, and coordination among numerous departments.
“There are classes where lecturers present situations of angry guests or an overbooked hotel. We have to analyze each step of the resolution. Only then did I realize that this profession requires a lot of skills and resilience, not just a polished appearance,” Kieu said.
Thanks to an education closely linked with practice, students of the Faculty of Tourism do not just study for exams but study to work. This helped Kieu visualize her career path early on and know what she needed to prepare for the future.
When NTTU students step out of the lecture halls
The graduation internship was when Kieu truly felt the value of what she had learned. Working in shifts in a hotel, she experienced the fast pace, high pressure, and unpredictable situations.
“There were times when it was extremely crowded and everyone had to rush. At those moments, just one slow step could affect the entire system. What I learned at school helped me understand what to do and how to coordinate with other departments,” Kieu recalled.
Through corporate partnership programs at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Faculty of Tourism students are given opportunities to access real working environments right during their studies. For Kieu, this was an important preparatory step to avoid “career shock” after graduation.
Scientific research – a springboard for managerial thinking
In addition to studying and interning, Kieu also participated in scientific research. In the 2023–2024 academic year, she won a consolation prize for scientific research poster design.
“Doing research helped me think more systematically. When working on my graduation thesis, I wasn’t bewildered because I was already used to searching for materials, processing data, and presenting problems,” Kieu shared.
At NTTU, scientific research is not only for those who wish to follow an academic path, but it is also a tool for students to train analytical thinking – a very crucial factor for anyone aiming to become a manager in the service sector.
Unforgettably student-like days
Recalling her university years, Kieu does not just remember the transcripts or titles. She remembers the extended group study sessions, the late nights editing slides, and the moments the whole group felt anxious before a presentation.
“It was very tiring back then, but looking back now, I feel so fond of it. Those were the days when I lived my student years to the fullest,” Kieu smiled.
She also mentioned the companionship of lecturers and friends at Nguyen Tat Thanh University – who always encouraged, supported, and helped her never feel alone on her educational journey.
Being the valedictorian is not the destination
After graduation, Kieu does not set a goal to immediately hold a high position. She wants to start from entry-level positions in a reputable hotel, accumulating experience and understanding the profession from its roots.
“I think studying at NTTU gives me the confidence that I am not entering the profession empty-handed. But to go far, I must continue to learn and work every day,” Kieu said.
The title of valedictorian is a memorable milestone for Kieu, but not the final destination. It is the result of four years of studying consistently, studying genuinely, and learning tied to reality – a journey nurtured within the educational environment of the Faculty of Tourism – Nguyen Tat Thanh University.
And for Kieu, the path ahead, though filled with many challenges, is also the path that she is ready to walk upon with the confidence of someone who has prepared thoroughly starting today.
Nguyen Tat Thanh University congratulates valedictorian Nguyen Ngoc Kieu on her valedictorian title, and firmly believes that the foundation of expertise, skills, and professional mindset she was equipped with at the Faculty of Tourism will be a solid baggage to confidently step into a professional working environment. The university also expects that each NTTU student upon graduation will not only hold a degree, but also possess the capacity to adapt, a progressive spirit, and responsibility toward the career they have chosen.
Written by: Cam Thach
Photos by: Media
