A letter to a 15-year-old self: How far can education take us?

“Dear 15-year-old My Hanh,
It’s me, My Hanh from the year 2026.

You might be surprised to receive this letter. You’re only 15 this year, an age filled with worries, uncertainty, and all the challenges life has brought your way.

I know what you’re thinking because I used to be you.

There are days when all you wish for is to recover from the accident we went through, after spending so much time in the hospital. There are moments when you wonder if life will always be this way, and whether your dreams will have to end because your family is struggling financially.

But do you know something?

As long as you don’t give up, life will always find another door to open for you.

At the end of Grade 9, your teachers told you about a scholarship program. They saw how hard you were trying, so they guided you through the application process and encouraged you to take a chance and apply.

The first time you traveled to Ho Chi Minh City for an interview, you were so nervous. You were shy and timid, barely daring to say a word. There was only one question running through your mind: “Will I be lucky enough to be selected?”

Then, a few weeks later, the good news arrived.

You officially became one of the 50 girls selected for the Brighter Path Scholarship.

At that moment, the first thing you thought wasn’t about how capable you were, but rather: “That means I’ll be able to continue going to school.”

It was one of the happiest days of our childhood.

The scholarship didn’t just provide us with financial support.

More importantly, it opened up an entirely new world for us.

The first time traveling by plane.

The first time staying in a hotel.

The first time attending the Empowerment Meeting

The first time meeting people we had only ever seen on television, including a former Vice President of Vietnam.

To many people, these might have been just trips.

But to me, they were milestones I will never forget for as long as I live.

Yet what changed me the most wasn’t those trips.

It was the people I met along the way.

The women and men, the older brothers and sisters who showed me that our circumstances do not determine our future.

They patiently taught me how to communicate, how to express myself, and how to develop essential life skills. They helped me overcome my insecurities about my appearance, become more outgoing and confident, and find the courage to step outside my comfort zone.

These lessons became invaluable companions as I entered university.

With both financial and emotional support, I had more time to study, explore new experiences, and pursue the things I loved.

I began learning how to write scripts.

How to shoot videos.

How to become a content creator.

I may not be the best at what I do, but I’m proud that I dared to take the first step.

And now, in 2026, I have some good news to share with you.

Today, I have a stable life.

I own a small agricultural supplies store in my hometown. Life is much better than it used to be. I continue to learn new skills, pursue my passion for content creation, and do the things I love.

Whenever someone asks what I’m most proud of, I always smile and say, “I was once a member of the family that is the Brighter Path Scholarship.”

The program changed my life. It gave me the chance to dream and taught me to believe in myself. It also showed me that as long as we don’t give up, where we begin never determines where we can go.

Although my seven-year scholarship journey has come to an end, the bonds between me and my fellow scholarship recipients have never faded. Even today, the older brothers and sisters, mentors, and friends I met back then continue to support, encourage, and look out for one another as we navigate life.

Finally, I want to share a message not only with my 15-year-old self, but also with the girls joining Phase 3 of the program.

Dear girls,

You may still feel shy today. You may think you’re not good enough, not confident enough, or not brave enough to dream big.

But please believe me.

I was once a girl just like you.

I used to think I would never have the chance to travel far, meet wonderful people, or do the things I loved.

But thanks to my own efforts and the support of the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and VinaCapital Foundation, the things that once seemed impossible gradually became reality.

So don’t be afraid to dream.

Don’t be afraid if your journey starts a little later than others.

Study hard, be kind, keep trying every day, and believe in yourself.

Who knows? A few years from now, you might be the ones sitting down to write a letter like this, telling a younger version of yourselves:

“Thank you for not giving up back then.”

And I believe that day will surely come

With love,
My Hanh – 2026″