The simple dream of the "hero" from HUST

On the morning of March 30, a tall, humble young man with bright eyes and an earnest smile quietly returned to his classes at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) after a brief hospital stay. He is Nguyen Le Tu, a student in Engineering Physics (PH1). While the nation has recently hailed him as a "hero" for his life-saving bravery in a local fire, Tu remains remarkably humble: "I just want to be known as Nguyen Le Tu. I think what I did was ordinary, anyone else in my shoes would have done the exact same thing."


Tu gained admission to the prestigious HUST with an entrance score of 25.8 in the A00 block (Math, Physics, Chemistry), an impressive testament to his academic dedication at Duong Quang Ham High School (Hung Yen Province). Behind his quiet demeanor lies profound resilience, a sharp intellect, and a surprisingly artistic spirit.


A Loving Heart Nurtured by a Mother's Hard Work


Born into a working-class family in Hung Yen, Tu matured early, bearing the weight of his family’s private struggles. His daily life was defined by the sounds of his parents’ hard work: his mother tirelessly preparing traditional baked goods for selling in bulk in Hanoi, and his father working as a parking attendant at construction sites. The family has its own underlying hardships, and sometimes these heavy burdens have made the young man mature well beyond his years.
  There was a time when Tu considered putting his university dreams on hold to become a financial pillar for his family. However, his mother ignited a flame of hope within him. Her simple encouragement, “Just go to school!”, was more than a ticket to a career; it was a fierce belief that knowledge would secure a brighter future. Tu carries this familial love as his compass, remaining humble, grounded, and profoundly sincere.

Tu’s bravery is as natural as breathing. On the afternoon of March 24, 2026, while returning from the gym, he noticed a house at No. 3, Alley 218, Linh Nam Street engulfed in fierce flames. Hearing desperate cries for help amidst the thick and suffocating black smoke, Tu acted on pure instinct. Abandoning his motorcycle, he climbed onto the roof of an adjacent house under construction and navigated a makeshift bamboo ladder to reach the scene. In the suffocating darkness, Tu and several locals used wet shirts as improvised masks and charged into the smoke. Despite suffering from chest tightness and exhaustion, Tu persevered until the victims were brought to safety.

This was not a momentary impulse. Previously, Tu had quietly rushed into a fire with a fire extinguisher to help a security guard at Aeon Mall, saving the man's home without ever seeking recognition for his deed.
      The "HUST Character"

To Tu, HUST was overwhelming in the early days. He chose Engineering Physics (PH1) because of his love for Mathematics and the guidance of his high school teachers. Stepping through the iconic Parabola Gate, Tu began to truly feel the heat of a professional academic environment, where students constantly push themselves to grow together. This environment compels each individual to be more disciplined and resilient to avoid falling behind.

Despite his initial unfamiliarity, Tu quickly proved his remarkable academic capability. He conquered Calculus 1—a subject traditionally considered a "formidable opponent" for generations of HUST students. Tu shared that he had no profound secret; it simply came down to persistent practice and mastering the core principles of complex problems. More interestingly, this student maintains an excellent balance between his studies and Youth Union activities. Tu currently holds an impressive GPA, yet he remains discreet, never flaunting his grades to those around him.

Tu's journey of growth at HUST bears the deep imprint of dedicated faculty members, such as the guidance of Mr. Doan Cong Dinh in Calculus, who sparked his love for numbers. In particular, Tu always takes to heart the passionate advice of his professors in the lecture halls. HUST lecturers frequently remind students that every penny of their tuition is soaked in the sweat of their parents working hard in the fields or at construction sites; therefore, they must study hard so as not to let their parents down. Such teachings do not burden the students with heavy pressure, but instead serve as a motivation to study in a way that is worthy of their loved ones' sacrifices.

At HUST, teachers not only impart profound technical knowledge but also teach students the ethics of being a good human being. Tu recalled a memory with a Physics lab instructor who gently reminded him when he accidentally interrupted her. That lesson in refinement—learning to listen until someone finishes speaking before responding—helped Tu become calmer and more thoughtful. This fosters a humane educational ecosystem within every School and Department at HUST, where knowledge, ethics, and human connection seamlessly blend together.
    An Engineering Student with an Artistic Soul

Looking only at his transcript or heroic actions, one might easily picture a dry, bookish engineering student. However, Nguyen Le Tu harbors a highly artistic soul. He has a fierce passion for singing and is self-teaching guitar and piano. Tu frequently lends his voice to the activities of the Student Volunteer Team, using music to connect people and spread joy. Although he admits to feeling a lack of confidence on stage, his voice always receives enthusiastic responses from his peers.

Studying at HUST has changed Tu's own preconceptions that engineering students only care about machines. Here, the young man is developed comprehensively, from technical knowledge to soft skills. Tu excitedly talks about a dynamic environment where he can simultaneously conduct research and immerse himself in musical melodies. This richness of soul helps him balance academic pressure and nurture his soaring dreams.

Looking back on his journey, especially when asked what he would say to the Nguyen Le Tu of two years ago—who had just set foot on the HUST campus—Tu smiled softly. He remembered the 18-year-old boy filled with confusion, anxious about an unclear future and a major he didn't fully understand. If he could go back, Tu would tell himself to keep walking with confidence and not be too afraid of the unknown. He wants to tell the freshman Tu: "Just dive in, because HUST will show you things more fascinating than you expect." Tu realizes his choice back then was right, because the HUST environment has taught him technical expertise alongside life skills and noble moral values.

Looking to the future, Tu has established clear directions for himself. He recognizes the importance of foreign languages in the era of global integration and is working hard to strengthen his English. "I used to feel helpless when I couldn't communicate fluently with foreign customers while working part-time at a restaurant, so I am determined to change myself," Tu shared.

Nguyen Le Tu adds a beautiful splash of color to the portrait of the HUST student generation: academically excellent, ambitious, compassionate, and brave. Stepping away from the halo of praise, Tu remains the gentle Engineering Physics student who loves singing and persistently tries his best every day, striving to be worthy of his family's unwavering faith!
 

HONORS AND COMMENDATIONS AWARDED TO NGUYEN LE TU FOR HIS LIFE-SAVING BRAVERY:   * "Brave Youth" Badge awarded by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; * Certificate of Merit from the Acting Minister of Education and Training for brave actions in saving lives during an emergency; * Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee for outstanding, unexpected achievements in saving lives during the fire; * Certificate of Merit from the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; * Certificate of Commendation from the President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology.