What BVIS Parents Say: Breakthroughs Come from an Empowering and Dynamic Learning Environment

A fulfilling learning journey is not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about building resilience, nurturing character, and broadening horizons. For two BVIS Secondary parents – Mr. Thắng and Mrs. Quyên – this has been clearly reflected in the growth of their two daughters: Hà Vy (Annie), Class of 2024 alumna, and Hà My (Sally), currently a Year 11 student at BVIS HCMC.

A Nurturing and Empowering Learning Environment

After more than two years at BVIS, Mr. Thắng and Mrs. Quyên truly feel that it is a special school.

From the very first campus tour, they noticed the close, caring connection between teachers and students through small, genuine conversations. That impression only deepened as the family journeyed with BVIS staff and teachers – always dedicated and supportive. Among them was Ms. Dung Mai, who guided Annie to discover her passion and choose the right path. Thanks to this support, Annie is now in her second year studying Neuroscience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA).

Mrs. Quyên shared: “Instead of chasing trendy majors, Annie was encouraged to dive deeper into her own strengths. What’s even more valuable is that, through the way teachers listen to and understand students, we as parents also learned how to better accompany our children.”

For Annie and Sally – each with her own personality and passion – their parents deeply appreciate BVIS’s philosophy that “Every Child is Unique.” Here, both have found opportunities to shine in their own ways, whether in academics, the arts, or sports.

What impressed the family most was the spirit of empowering students. At the TEDxYouth@BVISHCMC 2024 event, they were surprised to see that the Secondary Student Council independently organised such a large-scale event. Annie herself confidently stood on stage as one of four main speakers, delivering her talk “The Power of Observation and Perspective.” For their parents, it was living proof that at BVIS, students are not only gaining knowledge but also are trusted to develop their voice and resilience.

Emphasising Care and Thoughtfulness

Beyond academic excellence, Annie spread kindness through community initiatives. One highlight was the Happiness Project, where she and her friends handed out flowers to strangers on March 8th in celebration of women. At the Graduation Ceremony, Annie was honoured with the Student Care Award – one of BVIS’s eight core values.

Mrs. Quyên recalled emotionally: “I was both surprised and overjoyed. I wish that when I was Annie’s age, I could have studied in an environment that truly celebrated such human values.”

Global Outlook, Rooted in Vietnamese Identity

Two years at BVIS equipped Annie with the confidence to adapt seamlessly when studying abroad in the US. “It was only when Annie graduated that I fully understood the global mindset nurtured at BVIS. In such a multicultural environment in the US, she adapted quickly without hesitation,” said Mrs. Quyên.

Yet Annie never lost her Vietnamese pride. In a university fashion event, she asked her parents to send over a traditional Tấm Cám costume and a ‘nón quai thao’ (traditional Vietnamese hat) to share her culture with international friends. For the family, that was a special moment – Annie could embrace global opportunities without losing her roots.

Now, while Annie continues her overseas studies, her younger sister Sally is moving into an important stage: her second year of the IGCSE programme at BVIS Secondary. With a solid foundation and an environment that encourages individuality, her parents are confident Sally will make great breakthroughs in the future.

Understanding that the world is constantly changing, Mr. Thắng and Mrs. Quyên feel reassured when looking at Annie and Sally’s journeys: their daughters will have the courage to step confidently into the world, while always holding onto their heritage and Vietnamese pride.