Young people continuing the journey of spreading knowledge

During a recent meeting with volunteers from Khan Academy Vietnam (KAV), Mr. Pham Duc Trung Kien, President of the Vietnam Foundation, clearly recognized a new generation: proactive young people who are eager to give back and continue the journey of knowledge in their own unique ways.

From personal achievements to the choice of empowering others

Among these outstanding individuals are Hien Long and Minh Phuong, two students who achieved perfect SAT scores (1600/1600). Rather than resting on their laurels, both are collaborating with KAV to teach free SAT prep classes. The classes led by Hien Long and Minh Phuong have now attracted over 800 students from various provinces and cities across Vietnam. This serves as a testament to the ripple effect of the open learning model when guided by young peers who have successfully navigated the journey themselves.

Beyond the classroom, Hien Long and Minh Phuong also co-founded The Blouse project, an initiative supporting pediatric patients at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion. This commitment shows that knowledge, when properly nurtured, is always accompanied by social responsibility.

Notably, despite having credentials that would open doors at top universities worldwide, both Hien Long and Minh Phuong chose to pursue higher education in Vietnam to stay close to their families and continue contributing to the local community. According to Mr. Pham Duc Trung Kien, this reflects a shifting mindset among today’s talented Vietnamese youth: they are ready for international integration but still wish to stay connected and create value in their homeland during their early adult years.

He shared that, based on many years of experience helping Vietnamese students gain admission to top-tier U.S. universities, he is confident that both Hien Long and Minh Phuong are fully capable of gaining admission to leading U.S. institutions if they choose to pursue postgraduate studies in the future.

​Mr. Pham Duc Trung Kien is taking a photo with volunteers from Khan Academy Vietnam.

Reflecting on his journey, Hien Long expressed: “I received a lot of support on my own journey, so when given the opportunity, I wanted to give back. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, but it is about helping students believe they can do it too.”

Meanwhile, Minh Phuong was particularly struck by a remark Mr. Kien made during their meeting: “‘Volunteering is addictive.’ Reflecting on my journey from The Blouse to the SAT open classes, I find this to be absolutely true. When I give back, help others, and see positive changes, it just makes me want to do even more.”

Beyond inspiring, the meeting also helped Minh Phuong to clarify her path forward: “Hearing firsthand the deep desire to help as many Vietnamese students as possible left me immensely fired up. Those insights did not just strengthen my beliefs, as they also helped me better define my direction for the future.”

On another journey, Hoang Nguyen Phuc Anh, who was recently accepted to Brown University (USA), has been volunteering with KAV for three years. Teaching everything from standard Math and English-taught Math to SAT, AP prep, and programming, Phuc Anh is doing more than just tutoring, as he is also helping to build a resilient learning community.

“The greatest thing I have gained is not teaching experience, but the feeling of creating genuine value for others. Seeing a student finally understand a concept and become more confident is the motivation that keeps me going,” Phuc Anh shared.

A generation not only carrying the torch, but also reshaping education

The commonality among these young people lies not just in their academic capabilities but in their approach to knowledge itself. Breaking away from traditional education methods, they have effectively leveraged open educational resources from Khan Academy. By combining technology with a collaborative spirit, they have created a flexible, proactive learning environment.

Under this approach, the SAT is no longer just a test, and programming is no longer just a skill, as they are tools for expanding opportunities, developing a mindset, and connecting with the world. Consequently, a new generation of learners is emerging, who learn proactively, share willingly, and are eager to step out of their comfort zone.

Entrusting a brave generation to continue the story

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Pham Duc Trung Kien expressed how moved he was by the young volunteers’ journey: “I am thrilled to see that the eager flame has been passed on, and that you are continuing to spread it today. The most meaningful part is not just your talent, but your brave choice to continue the journey of learning and spreading knowledge, not just for yourselves, but for the community.”

He emphasised that these young faces are more than just KAV volunteers, as they represent a new generation in Vietnam: “These are the future leaders of Vietnam, who are eager to learn, willing to share, and ready to bring their knowledge and capabilities to the world.”

He added that the meeting gave him faith in Vietnam’s future: a talented generation, raised in middle-class families and educated through free online resources, is now returning to contribute to their communities.

An "Hour of Code" class taught by Phuc Anh for students in the summer of 2025.

In a rapidly transforming educational landscape shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, the role of young leaders like these is becoming increasingly crucial. Rather than just absorbing knowledge, they actively spread the value of learning and inspire others.

The meeting may have ended, but the story of the “next generation” continues in every classroom, every lesson, and in the very choices of these young people.

Once given opportunities themselves, they have now become the trailblazers. And as knowledge is passed on, a new generation matures, ready to take the lead.

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