Bùi Quỳnh Anh

FOR THE COMMUNITY

My first charity trip was with the club that gave me my first opportunity as a host. It was simply a trip to bring books to a social protection center, but it was one of the rare chances I had to truly connect with a community different from my own. I still remember the scene of me blowing up balloons for the kids, making sure each one had one, and then blowing them up again when someone accidentally popped one. That day, I came home with swollen lips.

My first charity trip was with the club that gave me my first opportunity as a host. It was simply…

The trip to Nghe An was under a blazing sun, scorching hot. These palm branches were the only way for the locals to shield themselves from the sun and find a bit of shade. Taking a photo of the palm branches, therefore, feels like capturing my emotions at that moment.

The trip to Nghe An was under a blazing sun, scorching hot. These palm branches were the only way for…

I think children in the city and those from disadvantaged backgrounds respond differently to questions. However, I always see a desire to learn and interact with the unknown in those kids who are often viewed as

I think children in the city and those from disadvantaged backgrounds respond differently to questions. However, I always see a…

A classroom where both the students and teachers are eager to embrace new ways of learning and asking questions. And of course, a classroom where everyone gets excited and noisy whenever it’s time to hand out gifts, leaving the teacher to chuckle at the chaos.

A classroom where both the students and teachers are eager to embrace new ways of learning and asking questions. And…

That red bag may look lightweight, but it's actually pretty heavy, which is why it takes two people to carry it. Aside from that and the heat, the whole process of hauling it wasn’t too bad.

That red bag may look lightweight, but it's actually pretty heavy, which is why it takes two people to carry…

Central Vietnam is often referred to as the

Central Vietnam is often referred to as the "fire pan." Even under tin roofs, the heat lingers, with no air…

This is the look on my face as we were about to arrive and finally let go of that red bag. I didn’t realize I looked so excited until I saw this photo.

This is the look on my face as we were about to arrive and finally let go of that red…

The first course with Busihand's hogeschool, in collaboration with Co'Deta, started with the teacher unable to open the slides, but it ended up going well. The teachers at the school asked us if we felt comfortable.

The first course with Busihand's hogeschool, in collaboration with Co'Deta, started with the teacher unable to open the slides, but…

We flew to Da Nang on a rainy night, arriving at Hope School the following afternoon, still catching our breath after the motorbike ride. Welcoming us was a team in blue uniforms who always seemed to have smiles on their faces. They extended their arms to embrace us as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

We flew to Da Nang on a rainy night, arriving at Hope School the following afternoon, still catching our breath…

And, surprisingly, even though the course only reached a limited number of children, when we arrived, all of them came to greet us and participated in the activities with great enthusiasm. Additionally, Hope School, as a social project, has done an excellent job in its role: providing the children with accommodations, a school, and frequent activities (like point-for-reward exchanges), as well as clubs like soap-making and succulent gardening that can even be sold for money. The children there are truly happy. I also want to create a place as joyful as that.

And, surprisingly, even though the course only reached a limited number of children, when we arrived, all of them came…

Speaking. For the first time. > As a speaker, I’ve stood before crowds on stage many times. But it wasn’t until

Speaking. For the first time. > As a speaker, I’ve stood before crowds on stage many times. But it wasn’t…

A contestant beside her older sister. Somehow, under the dim light, the combination of the two of them just strangely fits.

A contestant beside her older sister. Somehow, under the dim light, the combination of the two of them just strangely…

A contestant beside her older sister. Somehow, under the dim light, the combination of the two of them just strangely fits.

A contestant beside her older sister. Somehow, under the dim light, the combination of the two of them just strangely…

Hai Nam – the one who held my hand and asked, “What’s your name? I can’t see, but you’re very beautiful.” He confidently introduced himself and thanked all the audience during his own performance – a remarkable boy. I held Hai Nam’s hand as he stepped off the stage and told him just that. He only smiled.

Hai Nam – the one who held my hand and asked, “What’s your name? I can’t see, but you’re very…

Minh Tri – the one who insisted on rehearsing eight times before stepping on stage, always retrying whenever he hit the wrong key. His effort is truly admirable. That’s why Nho always replayed songs whenever contestants needed it and listened to their wishes: like Minh Tri wanting to sing in a higher key.

Minh Tri – the one who insisted on rehearsing eight times before stepping on stage, always retrying whenever he hit…

The Nguyen Dinh Chieu team – immensely talented individuals who have won countless competitions. They hold each other’s hands before performing, wipe their younger siblings’ mouths, and embrace them with affection. And the families of these individuals – always present, busy, supporting, and following along. The aunts care about everything, from costumes, makeup, and instruments to food and guiding contestants off the stage. Because, they say, “They deserve all this and more.”

The Nguyen Dinh Chieu team – immensely talented individuals who have won countless competitions. They hold each other’s hands before…

I truly admire these individuals. Trong Duy faced an instrument malfunction right before his performance, and in the end, no miracle occurred; he still couldn’t perform. However, when I played back his video, giving him and his family a chance to speak, I realized that the community I care about has some truly special stories: Trong Duy has a disability from an accident, and the post-accident trauma is significant. To overcome this, he turned to music – and through music, he met the wonderful people here. So, what they hope for is more selfies like those of Trong Duy, Minh Tri, and Hai Nam, along with more sounds echoing around. Because music is their way of communicating.

I truly admire these individuals. Trong Duy faced an instrument malfunction right before his performance, and in the end, no…

The team from Thuy An – Ba Vi, the largest team. They joyfully run around the performance area, and the team consists of children who are deaf and mute, who can only keep in time with the rhythm when a choreographer is down on the stage. And that choreographer guides the movements with even more enthusiasm than the contestants on stage.

The team from Thuy An – Ba Vi, the largest team. They joyfully run around the performance area, and the…

The smile of a mother with a grown child singing on stage, while a younger sibling cheers her on with all their might. That smile only blooms when the audience stands up to applaud after her child finishes singing.

The smile of a mother with a grown child singing on stage, while a younger sibling cheers her on with…

The joy of the team from Ba Vi erupted right after the MC announced that they had won first place. As someone who witnessed their efforts to create a professional performance despite the painful falls while attempting difficult moves, I truly admire those tears.

The joy of the team from Ba Vi erupted right after the MC announced that they had won first place.…

On the day Busihand arrived at the social support center dedicated to individuals with disabilities who are nearly irrecoverable, we had shaped our direction after a painful dissolution of personnel. Seeing people in their thirties who have the appearance and mindset of a child, and a woman in her fifties who loves having her head patted, I understood whom I cared about and wanted to act for. The only thing was, at that moment, what to do was still unclear. I could only take small steps – no change I could make at that time felt significant enough to impact the lives of the individuals I met that day. But that’s not a reason to give up.

On the day Busihand arrived at the social support center dedicated to individuals with disabilities who are nearly irrecoverable, we…

NHO – we and the contestants, those who share a common goal, those who smile despite the difficulties in communication, those who, in that moment, connect with one another – like a community.

NHO – we and the contestants, those who share a common goal, those who smile despite the difficulties in communication,…

The organizing committee remembers those crazy individuals who pulled off an event without any guaranteed sponsors in hand, those who rushed around all day to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible, and those whose hopes for the voices of people with disabilities have touched them deeply.

The organizing committee remembers those crazy individuals who pulled off an event without any guaranteed sponsors in hand, those who…

Contestants and their families, who have told us that they have become close after meeting at Nho, and that our trophy is proudly placed in their

Contestants and their families, who have told us that they have become close after meeting at Nho, and that our…

Busihand at Kymviet This was the moment before we finalized the idea for the Nho project. We had the opportunity to visit Uncle Hoai’s workshop, where he said: in reality, even if it’s small, just daring to act – that courage will create a domino effect. So, we did. That’s how Nho season 3 changed and was born.

Busihand at Kymviet This was the moment before we finalized the idea for the Nho project. We had the opportunity…