He was born and raised up in Thai Binh, a part of the Red River Delta in the Northern Vietnam. He joined in the Vietnamese Army then got married with my mom and gave birth to me. After that our family moved to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. There, we had one more member – my little sister. About my dad childhood and youth, he has never opened up to me on what he did, how he spent his youth. With that curiosity I asked my favorite uncle Vinh.

According to uncle Vinh, Dad was a “play boy” at the time, he didn’t care much about the future, after serving in army for several years, he stayed in Cao Bang, a mountainous province in the northwest region for several years, at the time he traded back and forth goods between Vietnam and China but his business wasn’t going well so he went back to Thai Binh. In Thai Binh, without job and vague future goals, uncle Vinh gave him some money to my dad and another uncle as the capital for them to start a new life. But they burnt all of the money into gambling. Several days later they came back with an empty pocket. “Hopeless for your future, I couldn’t help you anymore”. Uncle Vinh said.

Later dad had a period of time work in a coal mine in Quang Ninh province, then he went back to Thai Binh and fell in love with my mom. After the marriage, dad decided to take our family to the South of Vietnam, he went to HCMC first then my mom carried me follow my dad step. But shortly after that, they brought me to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Where we had some relatives, since then my parents have been staying there until now. Since the moment my dad got married he has changed into a better version of himself. When myself and my little sister were born, he became a hardworking and responsible man, thing that my uncles have never thought of. My parents worked their butts off to build up a strong financial condition for our family and support our education. And after 20 years, I’ve graduated from university and building my own career, Van – my baby sister is about to graduate early next year.

My dad used to say, he doesn’t want to look back to his past, the past is in the past. He’s happy with his life now. That’s such a good thought, the past is in the past, let’s focus on the present and create a better future for ourselves and for people around us. Anyway, to fulfill my curiosity I want to know more about the youth of the man whose blood is in mine. After learning about his life I admire him even more and can take lessons for myself. He was a tough guy, he didn’t have future goal, he made people around him feel bad. But after all, he can come back and be a better man, be a better version of himself. He taught me never late to do anything, it’s better late than never. He taught me the value of family, the motivation that our love ones can help us to overcome challenges in life.

Whenever, I face with a tough situation, no matter about personal life or professional life. the first “adviser” that I think of is my dad. He’s never been in college, of course he’s never experienced corporate life but through his life, he understands the nature of problem. It might because if his life experience, he knows well that problems might come from various forms, but the nature of those are the same. Therefore, having certain of pattern of ways to overcome the problem.

Finally, thanks to my parents who always support me with unconditional love and bring me a brighter future. I will take your life as a lesson for me, dad!

Thanks dad.

My parents and uncle Vinh 2023