Vietnamese High School Student Wins Asian Championship, Ranks Top 3 Globally in Chinese Language Contest

Do Tue Anh, an 18-year-old student from Lang Son province, has achieved a historic feat by winning the Asian championship and securing a top 3 global ranking at the "Chinese Bridge" international competition. This marks one of the best results for a Vietnamese student since the contest's format changed in 2020. Tue Anh, a 12th-grade student specializing in Chinese at Chu Van An High School for the Gifted, outperformed 124 contestants from approximately 100 countries and territories on September 22nd to claim the Asian championship and a spot in the world's top 3. Her fascination with the Chinese language began in childhood through watching "Journey to the West." Growing up in Lang Son, a region with frequent interactions with Chinese nationals due to her family's business near the border, she became increasingly motivated to learn the language. She began studying Chinese systematically in 9th grade, aiming to enroll in a specialized class. Despite initial difficulties with pronunciation, she dedicated herself to improving by practicing with native speakers and utilizing AI tools, eventually becoming the top entrant for the Chinese language class at her high school. The decision to participate in the "Chinese Bridge" competition was somewhat serendipitous, encouraged by her mother and homeroom teacher. Tue Anh had only about two months to prepare for the national round, which included written tests, Q&A sessions, speeches, and talent performances. She was surprised to win first place, earning her a chance to compete in the international finals in Tianjin, China, in September. The international competition spanned about two weeks and featured four knockout rounds: selecting the top 30, then the top 15, followed by continental champions, and finally the world champion. Each round consisted of 2-5 different tasks, ranging from answering questions and debating to delivering speeches and showcasing talents. Tue Anh described the final quiz round as the most challenging. Questions appeared on a computer screen, and participants had to answer immediately after the host finished reading. The content covered a wide spectrum, from cosmology and science and technology to ancient poetry and traditional Chinese medicine. Initially faltering, Tue Anh regained her composure by focusing on the remaining questions after seeing her parents and teacher cheering her on. She also highlighted the talent performance segment, where she chose to perform "Uong Ca," a folk dance often seen during Chinese festivals, bringing a joyful atmosphere. She spent days in Hanoi learning the dance from a teacher and practiced until late at night. In the debate segment, Tue Anh was grouped with four other continental champions to compete against a team of Chinese students and previous winners. The topic was whether social media brings people closer or further apart. Tue Anh's team defended the initial stance, with each member having about 30 seconds to present their views and 180 seconds for rebuttal. Tue Anh found this part demanding, requiring quick reflexes to grasp her team's arguments and effectively respond to the opposing team's points. Despite the tension, she expressed excitement about debating in Chinese on a large stage, which boosted her confidence in presenting and defending her viewpoints. Ms. Duong Thi Vinh, Tue Anh's homeroom teacher and Chinese instructor who accompanied her to the competition, described her as a "proactive, responsible student with excellent self-study abilities." She noted Tue Anh's proficiency in all four Chinese language skills and her leadership as class president. Ms. Vinh recounted the "heart-stopping" moment when Tue Anh narrowly defeated an Indonesian student to become the Asian champion, attributing this to her competitive spirit and composure on a major stage. Upon returning from the competition, Tue Anh is preparing for the national high school student giỏi (gifted student) selection for Lạng Sơn province, aiming to surpass her previous achievement of an encouragement award in Chinese. Looking ahead, Tue Anh plans to study abroad in China, pursuing a degree in Economics or Chinese Language Education. Source: VnExpress