Seizing every moment outside regular school hours, she persistently teaches the Thai script to students - believing it is the most powerful way to preserve the soul of her people on their native land.

Born in Yen Nhan commune (formerly Thuong Xuan district), Ngan Thi Tien grew up immersed in the vibrant traditions of the Thai ethnic group. After graduating with a degree in Mathematics Education from Hong Duc University in Thanh Hoa, she returned to her hometown to teach. But over time, the fading presence of the Thai script in daily life became a growing concern for her.

As a Thai woman, she fully understood the importance of learning and teaching her native language to help safeguard her ethnic identity. Although she hadn’t been formally trained in Thai language instruction, between 2009 and 2012, she proactively attended Thai language refresher courses organized by the provincial Department of Education and Training.

She began learning the language from scratch - mastering pronunciation, writing, and grammar rules - while also joining training workshops across northern mountainous provinces. Later, she enrolled in the Thai language teacher certification program at Son La Teachers’ College. Her dedication paid off, and she earned her official credentials to teach Thai, paving the way for a meaningful journey of cultural preservation.

After graduation, she first taught at Yen Nhan Secondary School, and in 2017, was transferred to Thuong Xuan Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities. In addition to her core subject, she also took on Thai language instruction.

In every Thai language class, Tien goes beyond the textbook. She weaves in stories about festivals, folk songs, customs, and traditional dress - helping her students understand not just words, but the essence of their heritage. Her engaging and relatable teaching methods make the classes lively, and students grow to love the language.

Thanks to her tireless efforts, most of the school’s Thai students can now speak and write their mother tongue fluently. Even students from other ethnic groups have begun signing up for her classes voluntarily.

Beyond school hours, she also offers free community classes and collaborates with local artisans to collect and document Thai cultural materials - making a tangible contribution to the preservation of her region’s heritage.

Spreading the Thai script through passion

At Thuong Xuan Boarding School, around 97% of the students are ethnic Thai. For years, the school has incorporated Thai language learning into its extracurricular activities - two sessions each week. Ngan Thi Tien was the first teacher at the school to be certified in Thai language instruction and was entrusted with leading this vital mission.

Speaking about her work, she shares: “This is pure passion. As a daughter of the Thai community, I want to do my small part to protect our heritage.”

According to Tien, the Thai script has its own complex system of characters and rules - pronunciation, writing forms, and vowel placement all differ from Vietnamese. Without a strong grasp of the basics, students can easily get lost. To help them connect, she integrates proverbs, folk songs, and cultural stories into her lessons - fostering both comprehension and emotional ties to their ethnic identity.

Student Cam Thi Thao Linh, a 9th grader, says: “Learning the Thai script with Ms. Tien is fascinating. Her lessons not only teach us to read and write, but also to understand our customs, festivals, clothing, and songs. During school events, performing Thai dances and rituals makes me feel proud of my heritage. It reminds me that preserving culture is everyone’s responsibility.”

School principal Cam Thi Hoan affirms: “Ms. Ngan Thi Tien is a dedicated and responsible teacher, always taking initiative in preserving and teaching the Thai script. She not only fulfills her duties with excellence but actively promotes and safeguards the traditional values of our people.”

In recent years, the school has prioritized creating a culturally rich environment for students. A traditional stilt house built on campus serves as a communal space and a cultural education hub.

During major events like Vietnam Teachers’ Day (November 20), Youth Union Day (March 26), or the school’s founding anniversary, Tien regularly organizes traditional performances with students - featuring khua luong (bamboo pole dance), sạp (stilt dance), gong music, and ethnic costume displays. These experiences help students deepen their connection with their culture and grow proud of their roots.

Humble, devoted, and full of passion, teacher Ngan Thi Tien is quietly “planting letters and preserving spirit” for generations of young learners in the highlands.

Quynh Tram