Author Nguyen Thanh Nam launched his book, "Conversations with Thanh," to an audience of around 200 readers in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of 9/5. The book explores how young people engage with history. Hoai Thanh, one of Nam's first students, also attended the event. She was part of the initial class where Nam experimented with a teaching method for Ho Chi Minh's ideology, encouraging more dialogue among young people during lessons. Hoai Thanh and her friends became the inspiration for the author's book.
Hoai Thanh stated she always looked forward to Doctor Nam's history classes. Instead of traditional lectures, her class engaged in debates and discussions on historical events from multiple perspectives. This approach deepened her appreciation for the subject and allowed her to glean valuable lessons. In 2023, Hoai Thanh participated in a student exchange program at Cornell University, USA, where she confidently showcased her knowledge and introduced her homeland to international friends.
"An American friend once asked if Vietnam had fully recovered from the war's aftermath," she recounted. "At that moment, I realized many people globally still don't truly understand Vietnam's contemporary image." This experience further highlighted the importance of accessible historical narratives. When applying for a master's scholarship at Harvard Business School, the admissions committee asked Thanh about her favorite book. She mentioned "Conversations with Thanh," crediting it with helping her understand how Vietnam, a small nation, achieved its current development.
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Doctor Nguyen Thanh Nam with student Hoai Thanh – one of the inspirations for the author's book "Conversations with Thanh." *Photo: Tu Lam* |
"I never intended to write 'Conversations with Thanh'," stated author Nguyen Thanh Nam. "However, while teaching students, I noticed their profound interest in history and national origins. They researched and posed surprising questions. So, I wrote this book as a way to preserve our dialogues."
Across its 304 pages, the book uses practical questions from Thanh and her friends to narrate the dynamic evolution of national history. History is presented not as a predetermined path confined by timelines, but as a series of crucial junctures where each decision held significance in the nation's journey toward independence.
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Cover of "Conversations with Thanh – A New Narrative of Light," a 304-page book (Writers' Association Publishing House). *Photo: Spiderum* |
At the event, guest speakers, including writers and directors, also discussed several topics with the author. These included: President Ho Chi Minh's governance methods, Ho Chi Minh's ideology in a modern context, Vietnamese history through the eyes of foreigners, and how to help young people understand and cherish national history.
Tu Lam
