Where every effort finds its meaning
While studying at PNV, I set three goals for myself. First, to pay off all of my mother’s debts. Second, to support her financially every month so she would no longer have to make a living catching crabs, snails. And third, to build her a house where she would never have to worry about leaks during the rainy season or the unbearable heat of summer.
Thanh Nga – PNV22 Alumni
These heartfelt words from Thanh Nga, a PNV alumna from the Class of 2019-2022, capture the dreams that inspired her throughout her years as a student. Today, those dreams are no longer distant aspirations. Step by step, the determined young girl has built a stable career, becoming not only financially independent but also a pillar of support for her family.
Family has always been her greatest motivation
Growing up in a difficult family situation and witnessing her mother’s daily sacrifices, Nga treasured every opportunity she was given at PNV. For her, PNV became the door that opened a new future, where the dreams she once kept quietly in her heart finally had a chance to come true.
The first time Nga truly realized that her hard work had made a difference was when she sent her mother money from her very first salary – an amount far beyond what she had ever imagined earning. It was more than the reward for years of dedication and perseverance. It was the moment she knew she could finally help shoulder her mother’s burdens. From then on, her mother no longer had to work as tirelessly as before, while Nga found even greater motivation to keep striving toward the dreams she had set for her family.
After years of holding onto that dream, this year Nga fulfilled one of her biggest wishes: helping her family rebuild their home. For her, this achievement was the happiness of finally giving her mother a safe and comfortable home – a place that would protect her from heavy rains and scorching sunshine while Nga continues pursuing her career far from home.
A strong foundation to thrive wherever life takes her
Today, Nga is based in Ho Chi Minh City, working as an Associate Engineer at NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Every experience in a professional environment has reinforced one lesson: a willingness to keep learning and the resilience to overcome challenges are the keys to continuous growth and success. These are also the values that PNV patiently nurtured throughout her student journey.
“Everything PNV taught me became the foundation that helped me secure my internship and eventually my job. I’m truly grateful to PNV for opening a new chapter in my life and giving me the foundation to become independent and support both myself and my family.” – Nga shared.
For Nga, the greatest gift PNV provided was not limited to technical knowledge in Information Technology. It was also the confidence built through English, soft skills, and a professional mindset. From someone who once struggled to pronounce the English alphabet correctly, she has grown into a confident professional working in an international environment – continuing to advance her career while caring for the people she loves.
I started my internship in my second year, right in the middle of the COVID pandemic, so finding an internship was really difficult. Eventually, I found one at a company about 10 kilometers away from PNV. Every morning, I woke up at 5 a.m., got ready, had breakfast, and left at 6 a.m. so I could cycle to work and arrive by 7. I finished work at 5 p.m. and cycled all the way back to the dorm, usually getting there around 6 p.m. The reason I’m able to share my story with younger PNV students today is simple – I didn’t give up. If I had given up back then, I honestly don’t know where I would be today.
Thanh Nga – PNV22 Alumni
This is the message Nga hopes to leave with current PNV students: keep learning, keep going, and never let temporary difficulties stop you from pursuing your dreams.
And Nga’s story is just one of many inspiring journeys like this at PNV.
For more than 15 years, Passerelles Numériques Vietnam has empowered hundreds of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to build brighter futures. Every graduate and every milestone – whether big or small – is a reminder that when young people are given an opportunity and choose to persevere, they can overcome their circumstances, shape a better future for themselves, and create lasting, positive change for their families.