[UEH Through the Lenses of Time #06] Leaving My Youth Behind at UEH

22 Aug, 2026

Looking toward the milestone of 50 years of establishment and development of UEH (1976–2026), "UEH Through the Lenses of Time" is a content series originating from the competition "UEH 50 Years - Frames of Knowledge - People - Future" and continuing to spread stories, images, memories, and memorable milestones about UEH. Each "frame" is a slice of time, preserving emotions, the journey of growth, and values cultivated across generations of UEHers, together contributing to portraying the 50-year picture of the University's establishment, development, and continuous innovation.

Among the “frames” of Through the Lenses of Time, there are stories told not through great milestones but through the people we once met, the places we were once attached to and a stretch of life left behind at the University. In this issue, the story of Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Hội is one such memory - of years of work, dedication and growth, so that looking back, UEH is not merely somewhere he passed through, but has become an unforgettable part of his life.

WHEN I LEFT MY YOUTH BEHIND AT UEH

Author: Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Hội - Former staff member and lecturer, School of Management

Category: Stories and recollections of UEH

A featured entry from the contest:

UEH 50 Years - Frames of Knowledge - People - Future

There are places we only pass through as a stopping point, and there are places that become part of our very flesh and blood. For me, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City was not just a workplace, but a “home” in the truest sense - a place where I lived, contributed, grew and left behind a whole meaningful stretch of my life.

Over nearly 50 years of formation and development, UEH has grown ever stronger to become one of the country’s most reputable educational institutions. But what I treasure most does not lie in its scale or its reputation; it lies in the people and the memories that fill every corridor, every office, every familiar lecture hall.

In those first days of setting foot in the School of Business Administration, I still clearly remember the mix of unfamiliarity and eagerness. The School was not very large at the time, but it was as warm as a family. Mr. Hà - the Dean - left a deep impression on me. A man full of pride and strength of character, yet also very approachable. He did not merely lead; he knew how to listen and understand, and he always created the conditions for each individual to make the most of their abilities.

Mr. Lâm, the Vice Dean, was a different kind of “fresh breeze” - energetic, a lover of sport, fond of travel. He brought a sense of freshness to a working environment that carried plenty of pressure. There were times when the whole School would talk about trips and football matches, and the distance between colleagues would gradually fade away, leaving only a sincere sense of connection.

Ms. Châu always maintained the standards the School needed. In her there was composure and principle, but also great dedication. It was she who helped uphold good order and keep the School developing steadily through each stage. And Mr. Dũng, another Vice Dean - a man of “many colours” - is remembered by everyone for his enthusiasm and kindness. He could take an interest in a great many things, but what was most admirable was that he always cared about the people around him.

In my own department, Ms. Dung and Ms. Thanh were shining examples of resilience. They had been through no small number of difficulties, yet they never stopped. The sessions preparing lessons together, the times we supported one another in our work, or simply the everyday conversations - all of it created a deep collegial bond that I will always treasure.

Beyond the School of Business Administration, UEH is also home to many other schools, institutes and departments - each with its own character, yet all sharing a common goal of development. I still remember working alongside colleagues from the School of Finance, the School of Accounting and the School of Banking. Each has its own particular nature, but what they share is dedication and a strong sense of responsibility.

The functional departments, too, are indispensable “links in the chain” in the University’s work. The Department of Academic Affairs, with people forever busy arranging class and examination timetables; the Department of Student Affairs, always attentive to students’ lives and wellbeing; Duy, the Head of Department, a man who gave everything alongside students in their activities and movements; or the Department of Organisation and Administration - the unit that keeps every operation running smoothly. Nhật was someone who never seemed to have enough hours in the day, and who cared about learners of every kind; whenever a master’s student or doctoral candidate successfully defended their thesis, he would usually be there with flowers - something not all of us managed to do. They may not stand at the lectern, but they are the ones who quietly help to keep UEH running on a sound footing.

I also remember the inter-school working sessions, the conferences, the times we prepared training programmes together. Each of those occasions was a chance to learn, to connect, to understand one another better. UEH is not merely a collection of separate units, but a connected ecosystem in which every individual contributes to the development of the whole.

As time passed, everything gradually changed. The facilities became ever more impressive, technology was applied more widely, and students became more dynamic and creative. But one thing has never changed - the UEH spirit: a spirit of learning, innovation and humanity.

On the day I retired and left the familiar School office, the corridors that once bore the imprint of my footsteps, I suddenly realised that I had left a part of my life there. There are no more classes to teach, no more meetings to attend, but the memories remain entirely intact.

What I carry with me is not the achievements, but the people - the colleagues who travelled a long road with me. It is the handshakes, the smiles, the words of encouragement in difficult moments, and the simple joys of each day.

Looking back now, I find my heart full of gratitude. Grateful to have been part of UEH. Grateful to have had the chance to contribute, to live in an environment so full of human warmth. And above all, grateful to have a place to remember, to cherish, to be proud of.

UEH - for me - is not just a university, but a whole youth. It is the place that keeps the finest frames of knowledge, of people, and of a future that is always open.

However far time may carry me, even though I am no longer there each day, deep in my heart UEH will always remain - like a home, a memory, an unforgettable part of my life.

*The content of this entry has been kept as in the original in order to respect the author’s perspective, feelings and message.

💌 Send your wishes now at https://wish.ueh.edu.vn/ to join UEH in setting the Vietnamese record for the "university with the most check-ins and wishes sent on the world map" and to spread the pride of the 50-year journey of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City

UEH 50 Years: Through the Lenses of Time

Preserving the memories of generations of UEHers, creating a 50-year legacy

Looking ahead to the 50-year milestone (27 October 1976 - 27 October 2026), "UEH 50 Years - Frames of Knowledge - People - Future" is where half a century is retold through the memories of the UEHer community itself - through the stories, photographs, keepsakes and shared reflections that have accompanied so many generations, becoming pieces in the shared picture of UEH’s heritage.

Running alongside the series of 22 key activities aimed at repositioning and giving a new role to the 08 heritage values of UEH’s 50-year journey - "Solidarity - Compassion - Dedication - Community - Pioneering - Creation - Sustainability - Internationalisation" - “Through the Lenses of Time” helps to spread those values, connecting past, present and future through the experiences of the UEHer community across UEH’s 50 years of development.

Look forward to a special milestone:
UEH Grand Anniversary – "Embracing Future Together"
27 October 2026 | Hall A.116 & multi-platform livestream

Find out more: https://ueh50.ueh.edu.vn/ or the UEH 50 Years Booklet at this LINK.