From the Highlands to the Delta: Vietnamese students find their own ways to learn this summer

Different summers, different ways of learning

At Muong La Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities (Son La), summer is far from simply a holiday for many students. While some take on seasonal jobs to support their families and others help their parents in the fields, they still make time to study at the end of a long day.

Nguyet, an 11th-grade student at the school, decided to work for a local company throughout the summer break to contribute to her family’s income and gain practical experience. Her workday runs from 7:00 AM to nearly 9:00 PM, after starting her day with a 6:00 AM alarm. Only after finishing dinner does she open Khan Academy to study.

“Even if I can only complete a short lesson or a few practice questions, I still make sure to do it every day. I believe that small, consistent efforts can lead to meaningful change,” Nguyet shared.

For Nguyet, working provides income and real-world experience, while studying is an investment in her future. On days when she returns home exhausted after more than 12 hours of work, she reminds herself to push just a little further so she will have no regrets later. She hopes that continuing to study throughout the summer will build a solid foundation for the new school year while instilling discipline, resilience, and a mindset of lifelong learning.

At the same school, Lo Thi Hong Man, an ethnic Thai student entering the 12th grade, chose a different path. Instead of working for a company, she stays home to help her family with farming, freeing up time to review her studies as she pursues her goal of being admitted to a Primary Education program at university.

Every evening from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, Man studies on Khan Academy. Previously, she felt intimidated by Mathematics, often struggling to grasp concepts and earning average scores of only 5 to 6 out of 10. After a period of self-study, she now understands the theory much better and can apply formulas more quickly and accurately in practice. Most importantly, she has regained confidence in a subject that once daunted her.

Among the younger students, 6th-grader Vo Kieu Minh is building a self-study habit from an early age. Aside from helping his parents with chores, Minh spends about an hour each day reviewing areas of Math in which he feels less confident, so that he can better prepare for 7th grade.

“At boarding school, teachers are always there to remind us, but when I’m home, I have to design my own study plan,” Minh said.

Beyond gaining knowledge, Minh says the routine has fostered greater self-discipline and a deeper sense of ownership of his education.

Students can review and reinforce their knowledge throughout the summer on Khan Academy.

Distinct goals, different journeys

In Lai Chau, Nguyen Xuan Dang follows a steady routine, spending 10 to 30 minutes each day reviewing Math concepts on Khan Academy before entering 5th grade. After a summer of continuous practice, he feels his biggest improvements are in self-discipline and time management.

“I’ve overcome my previous calculation errors, becoming more thorough and far less careless. Thanks to my summer practice, I feel much more confident tackling more difficult lessons in the new school year,” Dang noted.

At Y Bang Primary School (Tuyen Quang), Pham Tuan Bao, a 5th-grade student of Tay ethnicity, was first introduced to Khan Academy through assignments given by his teacher during the school term. When summer arrived, he voluntarily continued taking the 5th-grade Math course even without mandatory assignments. “When I master a difficult exercise and achieve mastery status, I feel thrilled knowing how much valuable knowledge I’ve gained,” Bao shared, adding that staying active over the summer leaves him fully prepared for the upcoming school year.

In Nghe An, Trinh Hung Tuan Khang takes advantage of the summer break to reinforce areas where his knowledge is less solid. He spends 30 to 60 minutes every evening reviewing lessons, rewatching instructional videos on challenging topics, and discussing difficult questions with classmates. For Khang, summer study not only solidifies his academic foundation but also instills the confidence needed to start the new academic year strong.

Meanwhile, Do Minh Phuong, an 11th grader at Thoai Ngoc Hau High School for the Gifted (An Giang Province), is spending her summer getting a head start on her SAT preparation. Inspired by senior students, Phuong proactively turned to Khan Academy’s SAT courses to begin preparing early for the entrance exam.

“Self-studying helps me identify my weak spots so I can improve them, rather than just following what is taught in the classroom,” Phuong said. Although preparing for the SAT in English is challenging, she views summer as an ideal window to make steady progress toward her goals.

Trinh Minh Duc, a 6th grader at Binh Trung Secondary School (Ho Chi Minh City), spent time completing the Internet Safety course on Khan Academy. He was particularly impressed by lessons on two-factor authentication (2FA) for securing online accounts.

“After the course, I enabled two-factor authentication across my accounts. I also set up a trusted VPN to enhance my online security,” Duc shared.

More importantly, Duc notes a shift in his daily internet habits. He is now far more cautious when sharing personal information, knows how to identify fake news, can distinguish between trustworthy and suspicious links, and stays vigilant against fake accounts. Rather than keeping these practices to himself, Duc shared them with his parents so the entire family can navigate the digital environment safely together.

Building lifelong learning, one lesson at a time

According to Ms. Dinh Thi Yeu, a Mathematics teacher at Muong La Boarding Secondary and High School for Ethnic Minorities (Son La), maintaining study habits during the summer break does not burden students with stress; instead, it offers an opportunity to reinforce foundational knowledge at a comfortable pace.

Along with Math and English, many students choose to learn internet safety skills

“Mathematics is structured like a spiral. If students lose their grasp of foundational knowledge in lower grades, it becomes increasingly difficult to comprehend higher-level material later on. Summer is the ideal time for them to review according to their own ability and pace,” Ms. Yeu explained.

She added that the most inspiring aspect is not the number of exercises completed, but the fact that many students proactively learn, even when school assignments are no longer required.

From Son La, Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang, and Nghe An to An Giang and Ho Chi Minh City, it is evident that summer for students is no longer merely about taking a break. Some study after a demanding work shift; others spend a few minutes each day reviewing concepts; some prepare for standardised tests like the SAT, while others learn to protect themselves in the digital world.

Their study hours and subjects may differ, but these students share a common thread: taking charge of their own learning. It is precisely these small choices that are gradually shaping their capacity for self-directed learning, a vital asset that enables students to enter the new school year with confidence and prepare for future challenges.

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