Nguyen Dang Dao, 29, recently completed a master's degree in Global Studies with a full scholarship at the Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University.

Tsinghua University, one of China's most prestigious institutions, ranked 12th in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Dao previously studied and graduated from Peking University.

"At Peking University, I learned a lot about China's urban development policies. The more I learned, the more I wanted to delve deeper into the environmental aspects of urban development," Dao said.

After speaking with the dean at Schwarzman College, Dao realized that Tsinghua University has a strong focus on urban areas and emissions, collaborating with numerous research institutes and major organizations. This prompted him to pursue another master's degree there.

Nguyen Dang Dao on his graduation day at Tsinghua University. Photo courtesy of the subject

Nguyen Dang Dao on his graduation day at Tsinghua University. Photo courtesy of the subject

Dao explained that the master's program lasted only 9 months, instead of the typical two years, resulting in a heavy workload.

"Juggling coursework and group projects was often intense," he shared. Dao meticulously studied the curriculum, discussed it with professors at the beginning of each semester, and planned his studies accordingly. He also actively participated in class, asked questions, and emailed his professors regularly for clarification.

Overall, he emphasized the importance of strict time management and seamless coordination with his team.

Recognizing that rapid urban transformations often leave vulnerable communities behind, Dao sought to explore and define cities that are not only modern but also smart and sustainable. His thesis focused on rural industrialization in Chengdu, Sichuan, within the context of China's Urban-Rural Integration development strategy.

Dao collaborated with two peers from China and Ghana. Drawing on his experience in urban development from Peking University, Dao led the data analysis framework development, while his teammates conducted interviews and field surveys. They worked directly with the Institute of Sustainable Urbanization, a partner of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), for data collection.

The team conducted extensive fieldwork in rural areas of Sichuan and Chongqing, interviewing residents, local leaders, and relevant experts.

"We interacted directly with locals, shared their lives, listened to their stories, and gathered firsthand opinions and data," Dao recalled.

In their thesis, the group compared China's urbanization phases with models from other countries. Dao noted that the urban-rural divide in China is less distinct than in the US and Europe.

Based on their findings, the team created a four-stage framework for China's rural industrialization. Dao concluded that the vulnerability of marginalized communities to climate risks, governance gaps, and limited participation in planning are pressing challenges.

The research, completed in six months, received an excellent grade and was published in the Beijing Review.

Dao and his friends during a trip to the Shaolin Temple. Photo courtesy of the subject

Dao and his friends during a trip to the Shaolin Temple. Photo courtesy of the subject

Beyond academics, Dao is actively involved in social initiatives. He co-founded the Young Urbanists of Southeast Asia (YUSEA) in 2023 to connect young professionals in sustainable development. In August, YUSEA trained over 100 participants from ASEAN countries as part of the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Forum (ASUF).

Dao was also a delegate at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COP) in 2024 and 2025.

Inspired by Tsinghua University's emphasis on student well-being and camaraderie, Dao became more involved in sports. He organized a student trip to the Shaolin Temple to experience temple life, history, and kung fu training.

Dang Dao will pursue a doctoral degree in Architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He aims to research community-engaged urban development, bridging the gap between community voices and urban planners, moving beyond a purely economic focus.

"Singapore is a leader in urban development, offering many models that Vietnam can learn from," Dao observed, adding that he plans to work in Vietnam in the future.

Huyen Trang - Hai Yen