Que Anh, known to everyone as Cinny, a Hanoi University graduate now working in youth development in Vietnam, reflects on three international conferences, friendships that crossed borders, and learning to value questions over answers.
Que Anh (Cinny) · Development Studies, Hanoi University · Vietnam
Q1. Tell us who you are and where you are based.
My name is Que Anh, but people usually call me Cinny, and I’m from Vietnam. I recently graduated from Hanoi University with a major in Development Studies and started working at the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
Q2. How did you first come into contact with DEN, and what brought you in?
I was introduced to DEN when Dr Tien, Dean of the Faculty of International Studies at Hanoi University, nominated me to participate in the International Student Conference in Bangkok in 2023. That experience gave me the opportunity to connect with the DEN community and learn more about its mission. What really drew me to DEN and kept me involved was not just the academic programmes or international exposure, but its belief that students should play an active role in shaping knowledge and driving meaningful change, rather than simply consuming information.
Q3. Which DEN activities have you taken part in?
I had the opportunity to participate in the International Student Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand (2023), Hanoi, Vietnam (2024), and London, UK (2025).
Q4. Was there a particular moment, conversation or piece of feedback at DEN that has stayed with you?
One moment that has stayed with me happened during the International Student Conference 2025 in London. I was surrounded by students from different countries, cultures and academic backgrounds, and I remember thinking, “Despite all our differences, we are asking many of the same questions about education, society, and our future.” That experience reminded me that meaningful learning often begins with listening. More than any keynote speech or workshop, it was the conversations in between sessions, the shared reflections, disagreements and personal stories, that left the deepest impression on me. It reinforced a belief that DEN has consistently embodied: education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about building understanding between people with different backgrounds.
Q5. What aspects of DEN have had the biggest impact on you?
The aspect of DEN that has had the greatest impact on me is its trust in students. Many organisations create opportunities for students, but DEN goes a step further by genuinely treating students as partners, contributors and leaders. Through DEN, I learned that young people do not have to wait until they become experts to create meaningful change. Their voices, perspectives and initiatives matter now. That belief has changed the way I view myself and my potential contribution to society.
| “Young people do not have to wait until they become experts to create meaningful change. Their voices, perspectives and initiatives matter now.” |
Q6. How has DEN helped you to develop personally?
DEN helped me become more open-minded, reflective and confident in engaging with people whose experiences are very different from my own. Before joining DEN, I often focused on finding the “right answer”. Through DEN, I learned to appreciate the value of asking thoughtful questions, embracing different viewpoints, and being comfortable with complexity. It also encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. Whether presenting ideas, collaborating across cultures or participating in international discussions, I gradually developed the confidence to contribute my own voice while remaining open to learning from others.
Q7. Has DEN helped you with employability, career or professional development?
Absolutely. DEN has played a significant role in shaping both my professional skills and my perspective on education, youth engagement and community development. Through participating in International Student Conferences in Bangkok, Hanoi and London, I had the opportunity to work with students and academics from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. These experiences strengthened my communication, teamwork, intercultural collaboration, public speaking and project coordination skills in ways that traditional classrooms often cannot provide. More importantly, DEN helped me develop a more human-centred and globally minded approach to working with young people. It taught me that education should not only focus on knowledge transmission, but also on empowering students to become active contributors to society.
These experiences have had a direct impact on my current professional journey. After graduation, I began working with youth and student-related initiatives connected to the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and, specifically, the Vietnam National Union of Students, organisations that play important roles in supporting Vietnamese youth development, student engagement, leadership, volunteerism and community-building activities nationwide. In my work, I often interact with students from different backgrounds and help organise programmes related to student engagement, communication and community development. I realised that many of the skills I use today, especially listening, facilitating dialogue, intercultural communication and creating inclusive environments for young people, were deeply shaped by my experiences with DEN. Beyond professional skills, DEN also gave me the confidence to believe that young people can create meaningful social impact when they are trusted, empowered and given the opportunity to lead. That mindset continues to influence how I approach my work with students and youth communities in Vietnam.
Q8. What is one thing DEN has given you that you would have struggled to find elsewhere?
Definitely a genuine sense of global community. Many programmes offer international experiences, but DEN creates something deeper. It brings together people who are united by a shared belief in education, dialogue and positive social change. Through DEN, I have built friendships and professional connections across different countries. Knowing that there are people around the world who share similar values and aspirations has been both inspiring and reassuring.
Q9. What advice would you give to students who are starting out, or who are thinking of joining DEN?
Join with curiosity rather than expectations. You do not need to be the most experienced, the most confident or the most knowledgeable person in the room. What matters is being willing to learn, listen and engage with others. The opportunities, skills and friendships will come naturally if you approach the experience with an open mind and a genuine desire to grow.
Q10. What would you say to a colleague at another university about DEN?
I would describe DEN as a community rather than simply a network. It is a place where students, academics and professionals can engage in meaningful dialogue, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another across cultures and disciplines. In a world that often feels increasingly divided, DEN creates spaces for connection, reflection and collaboration that are both rare and deeply valuable.
Q11. Is there anything DEN should do differently in the next decade?
One of DEN’s greatest strengths is its international network, and I would love to see even more opportunities for sustained collaboration beyond conferences and events. For example, creating more long-term student-led projects, research collaborations or mentorship initiatives could help participants remain connected and continue learning from one another throughout the year. At the same time, as DEN enters its next decade, my hope is that it will continue to expand its global footprint, connect with even more young people around the world, and inspire future generations of students to become active changemakers in their communities.
12. Anything else you would like us to know?
As DEN celebrates its tenth anniversary, I would simply like to express my gratitude. DEN has given me opportunities that I never imagined when I first joined, but more importantly, it has given me a community of people who believe in the transformative power of education. The conferences, articles and achievements are important, but what I cherish most are the conversations, friendships and moments of growth that happened along the way. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to DEN over the past decade, especially Prof. Farhang, you’re the best teacher and mentor I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Finally, I just want to say that I am very proud to have been a small part of this journey, and I look forward to seeing how DEN continues to inspire future generations of students around the world. ❤️
13. Could you reflect on how DEN has helped you develop your skills and knowledge to support the wider community in Hanoi or Vietnam? For example, think about how the impact of DEN has it has given you knowledge to help the Vietnamese youth or others in the community.
One of the most valuable things DEN has given me is a broader understanding of the role young people can play in shaping society and creating positive change within their communities. Before joining DEN, I mainly viewed education as something that happened inside classrooms. Through DEN’s conferences, discussions and international collaborations, I came to understand that education can also take place through dialogue, community engagement, intercultural exchange and shared experiences. This perspective fundamentally changed the way I think about learning and youth development.
Today, I am working in the field of student affairs and youth development, where I have the opportunity to support students through programmes, events and initiatives connected to the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Vietnam National Union of Students. In this role, I work closely with young people from different backgrounds and help create opportunities for them to develop leadership skills, engage with their communities and broaden their horizons. Many of the values and approaches I apply in my work today were shaped by my experiences with DEN. DEN taught me the importance of listening to students, creating inclusive spaces for dialogue, and treating young people not simply as beneficiaries of programmes, but as active contributors and changemakers.
Perhaps most importantly, DEN helped me develop a stronger belief in the potential of young people. In Vietnam, there are countless talented and passionate students who are eager to contribute to society when given the opportunity and encouragement to do so. Through DEN, I learned that empowering young people is not just about providing resources or knowledge, but about giving them a voice, trusting them with responsibility, and helping them see that their ideas matter. As I continue working with students and youth communities in Hanoi and across Vietnam, I carry these lessons with me every day. DEN has not only expanded my knowledge and skills, but also strengthened my commitment to creating opportunities for young people to learn, connect and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
In closing
Looking back, I realise that one of the most remarkable things about DEN is that its impact does not end when a conference is over. It lives on in the friendships formed, the ideas exchanged, and the confidence it gives young people to believe that their voices matter. I am grateful to carry those lessons with me, and I hope many more students around the world will have the opportunity to experience the same journey in the years to come.