For years, I was told that children should start learning English as early as possible. If they did not begin at the age of three, many warned, they would miss the so-called "golden period" for language acquisition.

When I realized I had spent VND168 million (US$6,477) just to raise my child's IELTS score from 4.0 to 6.5 to gain more university admission points, I began to question whether foreign language certification in Vietnam has become more expensive than university itself.

After checking airfares and other expenses, I decided I could not afford to return home for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Many universities in Vietnam now allow IELTS scores to be converted into admission points, a policy that has helped fuel the test’s growing popularity, raising the question of whether it truly promotes effective learning or simply pushes students into an expensive race for marginal advantages.

When I learned that many of my child's classmates already held IELTS scores of 6.5 to 7.0 while still in Grade 8, I realized that my child had entered the race later than most.

I recently found myself unsettled by a decision made by my four-grade child's parent association: contributing funds to hire someone to clean their classroom.

I made a decision that many people consider risky: I did not let my child spend all their time buried in books, even though they were capable of studying more to maintain strong academic results.

Vietnam's prevailing 48-hour work week - often extended further by overtime - is pushing many workers into chronic exhaustion, making them reluctant to spend on shopping, travel, or even healthcare.

I have long been familiar with the reality of public noise, from loud conversations and casual video calls to people watching TikTok or YouTube on their phone speakers.

The ongoing debate over the value of English-language certificates raises a fundamental question: What is the purpose of learning English, and how much proficiency is truly necessary?

The group chats I am in with close friends are often filled with nonstop talk about food, particularly how and where to find safe food.

Twelve days of annual leave existed on paper, but in practice they were almost unusable.

Some visitors to Phu Quoc say their holiday came with an unexpected frustration: finding the beach meant passing through restaurants or hotels, with no clear public access.

I have adopted a strategy after working for 20 years, moving from "finishing tasks" to "creating value," and no longer measuring my worth by hours worked.

Last weekend, on a domestic flight, I found myself in an awkward and frustrating situation. It was something many others have probably experienced too.

I have worked as a human resources manager for more than 15 years, and one principle has remained consistent throughout my career: when hiring, I prioritize candidates who can contribute immediately over those with strong academic credentials but little practical readiness.

For years, I believed that holding a master's degree and an IELTS score of 8.0 gave me the freedom to be selective in the job market. I thought they were solid guarantees, allowing me to wait for a position that truly matched my qualifications.

A friend of mine once had a stable job, a gentle personality, and a strong sense of responsibility toward his family. But he also had a habit of drinking after work.

There are always a few cloth bags in the trunk of my motorbike, and food containers in my backpack. When a vendor hands me a plastic bag, I simply say no.