From the page to real life: Olympians grade 11 explore Hanoi with a cultural expert

In the Grade 11 Literature program, Olympians begin a journey that moves from literary texts to real life through learning experiences that are both engaging and emotionally resonant. By exploring genres such as literary nonfiction, essays, and prose sketches, students take part in the project “Selection and Continuity”, where regional culture - especially that of Hanoi - is viewed as a living flow: one that preserves enduring values while continuously evolving alongside contemporary life.

Within this learning journey, the talkshow “Hanoi, That’s Why We Love It” stands out as a meaningful highlight. Accompanying the students was writer and Hanoi cultural researcher Nguyễn Trương Quý, who has spent many years studying, observing, and writing about Hanoi through the lens of culture and everyday life. Through stories, insights, and personal experiences, he introduced Olympians to a Hanoi not merely to be remembered with nostalgia, but to be understood, reflected upon, and engaged in dialogue.

From urban history and daily lifestyles to changes in living spaces and the ways people relate to memory and the present, Hanoi emerges as a living organism - rich in tradition yet constantly moving within the currents of modern life. It is through this perspective that students come to realize literature’s inseparable connection to life; literature is nurtured by lived experience and, in turn, sharpens our understanding of the world around us.

The talk also created space for Olympians to ask questions, share reflections, and voice their own perspectives. Being heard - and having the opportunity to speak - helps students develop a proactive approach to learning while nurturing a deeper sense of appreciation and responsibility toward the culture of the place they call home.
Through learning experiences like these, Literature becomes a bridge between knowledge and life, between the written page and lived reality. With a deeper understanding of Hanoi - a city rich in memory and constantly transforming - Olympians K11 carry with them a stronger cultural foundation as they move forward confidently on their journey of growth and global integration.