Many years ago on Sept. 5, Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to all the teachers in Vietnam encouraging them to be good teachers and for students to be good students, study hard and be successful. To this day schools in Vietnam open Sept. 5 with a grand ceremony. I was lucky to be invited, well really I invited myself, to the opening ceremony at one of the t
op Primary Schools in Ninh Binh.My morning started with my translator, Mai Thu, picking me up at 7:15 on her motorbike, driving through town, me on the back carrying a huge bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately no picture of that. When we arrived a
t the school, I was greeted by Mr. Nam, the head of the Dept of Education and Training. Then I was asked to re-enter the school by the filming crew!! I will be on TV tonight. I sat with the other dignitaries and school teachers, and then was paraded in to a favourable spot at the front. In front of me were grades 2-5 with the middle section left for the new Grade 1s. They were paraded in to much pomp and ceremony. Very cute. Speeches were made, flowers were presented to the Principal, I even got on stage at one point to hand her flowers. What a cheer I got from all the kiddies.The day started off cool and overcast, but within 15 minutes of sitting at the front, out came the beating sun. Everyone unfurled their umbrellas to hide under. It was a pretty picture. After the speeches, all the head teachers had to sign a letter saying they would do their best as teachers to educate the students. Imagine that in Thompson!!
Then came the entertainment. One young boy is a champion singer. He enters, and wins, all the Child Vietnam Idol contests around here. He is extremely poised and confindent on stage, as was the little girl who was the MC. They sang a few songs, with appropriate movements, then a group of dancers came on and preformed something. The kids in the audience went crazy.
Then it was over, and we paraded out. I was inundated with "Hello"'s as I left the school. Makes me feel welcome.
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