New VNU Male King Vu Trong Lam Truong: Turning student life into the most memorable time of youth

Vu Trong Lam Truong - student of the Institute of Journalism and Communication won the 2019 VNU Mister Contest

- It's been a few days since the finale, but the aftertaste must still be there, how do you feel?

From the first days of participating in the competition, I had no intention of winning a prize, let alone the highest prize. I just wanted to have one more experience in my student life. Even now, I still cannot believe it is true. Perhaps the prize is a combination of many factors: luck, the help of many people and a little bit of my own effort. But no matter what, I am sure that this is still an experience that I will remember forever.

-Having gone through many rounds and participated in many events, can you share the most memorable memory when participating in the competition?

The program lasted more than two months, most of the time was spent on the final round with 5 rounds: Talent, Media, Charity, Sports, Intelligence.

The round that I remember the most was the Charity round. All 45 contestants had to do everything related to this round: from communication work, inviting sponsors to creating program content. Luckily, in that program, I was the MC, having the opportunity to host a cultural program at a social protection center where we went to do charity work. We went through many emotions together during the time we did the program there: happy, emotional. I will miss that time very much.

-Any experience brings us new lessons, making us more mature. After 2 months of participating in the program, what new things do you think you have learned?

Participating in this contest gave me new lessons, even though I had already made certain preparations to participate in the contest.

After the program, what I felt and learned was probably more related to emotions and team spirit than personal soft skills. Teamwork and confidence in performing on stage were the most basic things I could accumulate through the competition; and in terms of spirit, I learned solidarity. The 45 contestants in the competition considered each other as a family. The lucky thing for me when participating in the program was that I made many new, interesting and talented friends, whom I probably wouldn't have met if it weren't for this competition.

- According to Truong, did the knowledge accumulated and learned after 2 years of studying at the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities contribute to helping you win this competition?

Exactly, what I learned in 2 years of studying at the Institute was the important factor that helped me perform quite well in this competition. During my time studying at the Institute, the Institute's training program as well as the extracurricular programs organized by the Youth Union - Association equipped me with soft skills that I used a lot in this competition.

When participating in a big competition like this, the special thing is that I was confident and not afraid to express myself in front of the judges and the audience. That is what I have trained through studying as well as extracurricular activities at the Institute.

- It is known that Truong has a dream of becoming a TV MC. What have you done to achieve that dream?

As I said before, MC in any field requires talent. However, saying that does not mean it cannot be trained, in fact to be a good MC requires a lot of practice.

I have just finished an MC course at VTC Digital Television. It is a good stepping stone for me to realize my dream.

Besides, at school, I learn a lot from teachers, brothers, sisters, friends - people who love me and create conditions for me to pursue my passion.

- Did the equipment that Truong provided to become an MC help you a lot in the recent competition? And did that competition also give you new equipment for your dream?

MC is a job that requires standing in front of many people, so the most important thing is confidence. In the recent competition, I think I did that, especially in the final night. In my rounds at the final night, the behavioral round was the deciding factor. Although everyone commented that my answer was not very polished, it was my sincerity in thinking. And I was not nervous or embarrassed when answering this question. That is also one of the skills of an MC that I think I did well.

After the program, especially at the highest position, I have more conditions to achieve my dream. I am known by more people, maybe there will be more places that create conditions for me to pursue the MC job.

- Do you have any specific plans or activities as a representative of Hanoi National University students?

There are many plans, but the most important thing I need to do at present is to try to improve myself to be worthy of being the representative face of the Institute, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Vietnam National University, Hanoi. There are still many things to do, requiring a lot of effort and self-improvement.

- As the new King and someone who actively participates in youth activities, what message do you want to send to students?

This is also the message I brought when participating in the recent contest: “Youth is proof of the most foolish things we can do, but cannot do at other stages of life. Student life is a part of youth, and if you do not dare to take risks, do not dare to pursue your dreams, only bury yourself in books, your student life and youth will pass by in a meaningless way. Therefore, cherish it, turn student life into the most memorable time of your life”.