Journey to a Dream: The Story of a Young Boy from Điện Biên Who Sang for the French Defence Minister

ĐBP - Ngô Tường Minh, a 12-year-old student from Mường Thanh Secondary School in Điện Biên Phủ City, has gained attention on social media for his singing videos at the historic A1 Hill, performing for both domestic and international visitors. Despite his young age, Tường Minh harbours many dreams and actively learns and trains to realise them.

Ngô Tường Minh sang "Hello Vietnam" for the French Defence Minister and French veterans on Hill A1. Source: Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) Newspaper

During the nationwide celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, Tường Minh’s video, where he wore a red flag T-shirt with a yellow star and sang "Hello Vietnam" in both Vietnamese and English at the historic A1 Hill, gained widespread attention.

The video, featuring him singing before French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and former French soldiers, attracted numerous interactions and shares on social media. The radiant and confident boy, with his excellent singing and English pronunciation, helped spread the beautiful image of contemporary Điện Biên to visitors from all over.

Tường Minh’s video interaction with domestic and international visitors at A1 Hill, posted on TikTok, received significant likes and interactions.

From a young age, Ngô Tường Minh has loved singing. As he grew older, his passion for learning English blossomed, and his family facilitated his self-study through applications and the internet. His diligent study enabled Tường Minh to confidently communicate with foreigners.

"I find it very interesting and fun to be able to talk to foreigners and introduce them to the history, monuments, and beauty of Điện Biên. That’s why I strive to learn English and practise by visiting historical sites on weekends or during free days to train as a 'tour guide' for both domestic and international guests," Tường Minh shared.

Tường Minh introduces the historical site and interacts with tourists visiting A1 Hill.

During the recent celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, Tường Minh had the opportunity to meet and talk with many visitors from far and wide, especially French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and former French soldiers. At the historic A1 Hill, under the flamboyant red flame tree, Tường Minh confidently and cheerfully conversed and sang "Hello Vietnam" for the international guests. His video was widely shared on social media, garnering much admiration and pride.

Recalling the encounter, Tường Minh said: "Initially, I was quite nervous when I greeted them and expressed my intention to sing, but their friendliness and warmth made me more confident. I chose 'Hello Vietnam' as a greeting for them. Moreover, it is a meaningful song, quite famous both in Việt Nam and abroad, with many language versions, so I wanted to spread the song and the love for my homeland through each lyric."

Tường Minh was well-liked by the tourists, who took photos with him after he served as a "young tour guide".

Tường Minh introduced the historical sites and shared songs praising the homeland to various visiting groups in Điện Biên. Despite his young age, he is deeply aware of his birthplace and national pride, turning it into his goal and dream. "When I grow up, I want to become a diplomat, bringing new and valuable things from abroad to Việt Nam and showcasing the beauty of Việt Nam to the world so that foreign tourists can admire and love the land and people of Việt Nam. Like the lyrics in the song 'Một vòng Việt Nam' that I really like: 'Việt Nam, our homeland is beautiful, despite the years of fire and smoke...'" Tường Minh said.

Tường Minh is a cheerful boy who loves his homeland and possesses a deep sense of national pride, always eager to bring positivity and joy to everyone.

Supporting his son’s dream, Ngô Văn Hà, Tường Minh’s father, regularly encourages and accompanies him in accumulating useful knowledge and necessary skills each day. "When our son has such a passion and dream, the family fully supports and guides him to learn and train further to achieve his goals. From there, he strives to study, actively explores, and suggests activities to us. He visits historical sites to practise bilingual communication more confidently and fluently; every Saturday night, he indulges his passion with street singing programmes along with the singing club... He does everything with joy and happiness. Seeing him like that, we are even more confident and supportive," shared Mr Hà.

Tường Minh will enter grade 8 at Mường Thanh Secondary School next academic year. Carrying a love for his homeland and cherished dreams, Tường Minh is experiencing a childhood filled with joy and brilliant memories. This is the foundation for him to grow and gradually conquer the future.

Nguyễn Hiền
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Keeping heritage alive, putting Điện Biên on tourism map

    Keeping heritage alive, putting Điện Biên on tourism map

    TRAVEL -
    ĐBP - In today’s era of integration and development, preserving and promoting cultural heritage must go beyond simply safeguarding the past. Cultural traditions must be transformed into distinctive tourism experiences and recognized as invaluable resources for building a sustainable tourism brand that attracts visitors from Vietnam and abroad.
  • 'Building trust through safer, better school meals

    Building trust through safer, better school meals

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - School meals play an important role in nurturing students, supporting their health and promoting their all-round development. Ensuring the safety and quality of these meals is therefore a priority for schools across Điện Biên province, helping protect students’ health and providing a solid foundation for their learning.
  • 'Standardizing student data in digital environments

    Standardizing student data in digital environments

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - To manage education effectively on digital platforms, it is essential, first and foremost, to possess accurate, complete, and consistent data. In Điện Biên, educational institutions are focusing on reviewing, updating, and synchronizing student information on the sector’s database system.
  • 'Tightening food safety controls

    Tightening food safety controls

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Food quality is determined from the selection of ingredients and processing to product origin verification. In Điện Biên, production facilities, business establishments, and cooperatives are progressively tightening procedures and heightening responsibility across every phase of production and goods distribution.
  • 'Beyond classrooms: Teaching students to stay safe from fires

    Beyond classrooms: Teaching students to stay safe from fires

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - With potential fire and explosion hazards posing risks at educational institutions, authorities across Điện Biên province are stepping up fire prevention and firefighting efforts through a range of practical activities. By combining awareness campaigns with hands-on demonstrations and skills training, officials, teachers and students are gradually improving their understanding of fire safety and their ability to respond to emergencies, helping create a safer school environment.
  • 'Spreading joy, connecting love

    Spreading joy, connecting love

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Amid busy work schedules, activities celebrating the Vietnamese Women’s Day on October 20 offer an occasion for women to set aside daily worries, gather, interact, and share life experiences. Each activity carries its own unique character, yet all deliver joy, helping women build confidence and deeply appreciate solidarity and affection in life.
  • 'Điện Biên’s National Assembly deputies contribute opinions to refine laws in healthcare and social welfare

    Điện Biên’s National Assembly deputies contribute opinions to refine laws in healthcare and social welfare

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On October 21, during the group discussion within the framework of the 2nd Session of the 16th National Assembly, deputies of the Điện Biên provincial National Assembly Deputy Delegation contributed opinions to the draft laws amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Children, the Law on Persons with Disabilities, the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, the Law on Pharmacy, the Law on the Elderly, and the Law on Health Insurance.
  • 'Giving residents a voice, turning concerns into action

    Giving residents a voice, turning concerns into action

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Direct dialogue with residents is a practical way for local authorities to listen to their concerns and aspirations, identify emerging issues in a timely manner, and address problems arising in everyday life. In Mường Pồn commune, dialogue has enabled authorities to hear and consider numerous requests concerning infrastructure, social welfare and agricultural production, assign specific follow-up responsibilities, and strengthen government accountability, public participation and consensus among residents.
  • 'Connecting trade, expanding markets

    Connecting trade, expanding markets

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Under the theme “Điện Biên - A Trade Bridge, Reaching Out to the World,” the 2026 Điện Biên International Trade Fair unlocks opportunities for domestic and international enterprises to connect, promote products, seek business partners, and expand consumer markets.
  • 'People's high consensus clears way for expressway project

    People's high consensus clears way for expressway project

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - These days, in Lịch Cang village, Mường Lạn commune, machinery and labor forces are mobilized to level ground, preparing to build a resettlement area serving households affected during the implementation of the Sơn La - Điện Biên - Tây Trang Border Gate Expressway project (Phase 1).
  • 'Điện Biên approves investments totaling VND 7,500 billion

    Điện Biên approves investments totaling VND 7,500 billion

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Marking a fresh stride in regional economic connectivity and cooperation, the 2026 International Investment Promotion Conference between Điện Biên province (Vietnam), Luang Prabang province (Laos), and Yunnan province (China) - held on the morning of October 19 at the Event Center of Mường Thanh Grand Điện Biên Phủ Hotel (Điện Biên Phủ ward), Điện Biên province - opened up opportunities for cooperation and accelerated the harnessing of each locality’s potentials and strengths. At the conference, Điện Biên province presented 20 Investor Approval Decisions with a total investment capital of approximately VND 7,500 billion.