I was wrong to assume good grades and studying abroad were all that my children need

Living in HCMC, like many parents, I invested heavily in their education, convinced that studying abroad would give them the best start in life.

My eldest son was the first to go to Australia to join Airservices Australia’s Air Traffic Control program, a government-run course combining theory and hands-on training, promising a stable career.

Later, my younger son, then 16, with an impressive 8.5 GPA and an IELTS score of 6.5, followed him to study in high school. I thought everything was set: two sons studying abroad, one already working toward a promising career. But life had other plans.

In Australia, my eldest began dating a Thai flight attendant. They chose to have a child together but never married. When their relationship ended, she refused to raise the baby, leaving my son a single father. One night, he called me in tears, saying: "Dad, I have a baby, but she doesn’t want to stay."

My wife and I immediately flew to Sydney to help, but caring for an infant while managing our own limited stay was overwhelming. When our visa expired and living costs became unbearable, we had no choice but to return to Vietnam.

A month later, my son brought his baby back to HCMC. At Tan Son Nhat Airport, I saw him, once a confident, independent man, worn out and clutching his crying child. He confessed he couldn’t do it alone.

Meanwhile, my younger son’s life in Australia began to unravel. Without his brother’s supervision or any parental presence, he drifted into parties and bad company, his grades plummeting. When I visited their house later, I was devastated by the mess, bottles, cigarette butts, and used condoms scattered around. My son bowed his head in shame. I hugged him and realized that I had sent him abroad with no emotional support or guidance, only money.

Now back in HCMC, I’m haunted by regret. My eldest is still struggling to balance single fatherhood with work and hopes to return to Vietnam for a more stable life. My younger son is slowly improving with school support programs. My plans failed not because of money or education, but because I neglected what truly matters, family bonds, presence, and parental guidance.