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

  • 'Passing down traditional crafts

    Passing down traditional crafts

    CULTURE - SPORTS -
    ĐBP - Through each needle and thread, the Xạ Phang people in Thèn Pả village, Na Sang commune are preserving their traditional shoe-embroidering craft, which has been handed down across generations.
  • 'Healthy soil, sustainable agriculture

    Healthy soil, sustainable agriculture

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Recognizing that caring for, protecting and restoring agricultural land is essential to sustainable agricultural development, agricultural authorities, businesses and farmers across Điện Biên are gradually adopting more sustainable farming practices, with greater use of organic fertilizers and reduced reliance on harmful chemicals. These efforts are helping reduce the risk of soil degradation and nutrient depletion, protect beneficial organisms and enhance agricultural productivity and value.
  • 'Improving vocational skills of rubber workers

    Improving vocational skills of rubber workers

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Identifying laborers’ skills as a vital determinant of productivity, quality, and operational efficiency, the Điện Biên Rubber Joint Stock Company has regularly organized vocational training, technical refreshers, skill assessments, and professional contests for workers over recent years.
  • 'New rice festival preserves soul of Lào ethnic group

    New rice festival preserves soul of Lào ethnic group

    CULTURE - SPORTS -
    ĐBP - Amidst the changing rhythms of life in the border commune of Mường Nhà, Điện Biên province, the Lào ethnic community persistently preserves its long-standing cultural traditions through the Khẩu Hó Festival (New Rice Festival). Within each home, the festival serves as a bond uniting the community and transmitting cultural identity to future generations.
  • 'Điện Biên records positive growth in third quarter of 2026

    Điện Biên records positive growth in third quarter of 2026

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Điện Biên’s GRDP in the third quarter of 2026 is estimated to have grown by 11.67%, reaching the target and ranking 8th nationwide in growth pace. Within this performance, multiple sectors surpassed projections, demonstrating the vitality of production and the efficiency of the province’s decisive, hands-on leadership and administration.
  • 'Điện Biên creates an impression with rapid economic growth rate

    Điện Biên creates an impression with rapid economic growth rate

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - The regular Government meeting for September 2026 took place on October 3 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, assessing the socio-economic situation for September and the third quarter of 2026, the allocation and disbursement of public investment capital, the implementation of national target programs, the direction and administration of the Government and the Prime Minister, and focal tasks requiring prioritized direction in the coming period.
  • 'Tighter oversight to prevent excessive school fees

    Tighter oversight to prevent excessive school fees

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Along with stabilizing teaching and learning routines following the administrative reorganization, in the 2026-2027 academic year, localities across the province are strengthening management and providing guidance to educational institutions to strictly comply with regulations on fees collected at the beginning of the academic year.
  • 'Tracing memories, bringing martyrs home

    Tracing memories, bringing martyrs home

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - From vestiges remaining on former battlegrounds, recollections of eyewitnesses, and leads provided by the public, functional forces in Điện Biên province are progressively demarcating areas, verifying clues, searching for, and gathering martyrs’ remains.
  • 'Safety begins in every family

    Safety begins in every family

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Latent fire and explosion risks exist within every household, arising from an increasing number of electrical appliances, daily domestic routines, or placing flammable materials close to electric and gas stoves.
  • 'Bridges of compassion

    Bridges of compassion

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As a leading force and bridge-builder in humanitarian work, the Điện Biên Red Cross Society has actively mobilized and connected social resources to support people living in poverty, vulnerable groups and those facing difficult circumstances. These humanitarian efforts have helped spread a spirit of mutual care and compassion, providing people with greater support and opportunities to rebuild their lives and achieve greater stability.