A letter worth reading, and worth remembering...

From: "hoang nhat" <thuynhuanh@yahoo.com>

To: "AISVN School Board" <school.board@ais.edu.vn>

Subject: Regarding the School Closure

Good afternoon,

Today, I went to collect the transcript for my daughter, Hoang Nhu Anh, a Grade 9 student. As I walked from the Nguyen Van Tao gate to the Ngo Quang Thamm gate, I felt lost, confused, and bewildered—until finally, I burst into tears. I cried for my child, for myself, and for the school.

As a parent, I have poured all my assets, my heart, and my dedication into this School—a place that, 5 years ago, was a dream for many.

I do not truly know the root cause of this collapse, so I shall not speculate.

I still remember the 2019-2020 academic year when the School began implementing the Full IB Diploma Programme. During a parent meeting to explain the grading system, I remember how Ms. Ut Em was so energetic, moving swiftly between the tables to ensure every parent understood.

Dear Ms. Ut Em, public opinion is currently placing all the blame on you. Some of it is right, some is wrong; some is harsh, and some is generous—isn't that so? You are now seen by many parents as the "culprit" who caused the displacement of so many students whom you once cherished. I say this because I once witnessed the "tender and affectionate" look in your eyes as you watched the kindergarten and elementary students lining up for the school bus.

Ms. Ut Em, as you can see in the current context: assets, money, and fame can vanish in an instant like evening mist. Only MERIT and a GOOD LEGACY endure through time. As you once said, "We lack MONEY, not HEART." But in this situation, WITHOUT MONEY, ONE CANNOT EXPRESS THE HEART.

One thing is certain: your children would be much prouder of their parents if the news were filled with their humanitarian deeds, rather than inheriting a fortune built and preserved in the traditional Vietnamese way.

I hope you make swift and timely decisions to liberate YOURSELF, YOUR CHILDREN, AND THE STUDENTS who so dearly love this SCHOOL.

Please forgive me if any of my words do not reflect the true nature of the situation.

Huynh Thi Tuyet Anh