Snapshots of Growth: How Nguyen Thi Lan Frames Her Journey at TJU

From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the vibrant campus of Tianjin, Nguyen Thi Lan’s youth is vividly captured through the lens of her phone. “When I first arrived in China, I casually started taking photos and videos of campus life. I never thought it would become such an important part of my study-abroad journey,” Nguyen Thi Lan said with a smile.

In 2023, Nguyen Thi Lan, a young girl from Vietnam, began her studies in Cross-Border E-commerce and Chinese Language at Tianjin University. In just a year and a half, she had created and shared 248 video posts on social media, quickly amassing over 4,500 followers on Douyin (China’s version of TikTok), most of whom are fans from Tianjin. Her videos document the daily lives of international students, from peaceful moments spent studying in the library and energetic workouts on the sports field to heartwarming cross-cultural dinners in the dormitory.

But Nguyen Thi Lan’s exploration of China goes far beyond her camera. During the Lunar New Year, she embraced Chinese traditions by putting up couplets, making dumplings, and filming the festive atmosphere. “Vietnam also celebrates Lunar New Year, but the celebrations in China are livelier and feel more ceremonial,” she said. During her holidays, she traveled across China, capturing the historical grandeur of Beijing, the modern charm of Guangzhou, and the icy wonders of Harbin, sharing her journeys with her growing audience.

In 2024, Nguyen Thi Lan volunteered at the Tianjin Marathon, assisting runners from around the globe in both Chinese and English. “It was such a proud moment for me to help athletes from all over the world,” she said.

Her role as a cultural bridge extended to international trade as well. During a China-Vietnam economic exchange event, she worked as a translator, facilitating the purchase of large quantities of firefighting equipment by Vietnamese businesses in Guangzhou. “Helping connect the two countries feels incredibly meaningful,” she said.

At the same time, Nguyen Thi Lan introduces Vietnam to her Chinese friends, using her videos to showcase her country’s rich culture—its signature dishes like pho and spring rolls, as well as its breathtaking landscapes, including Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island. “Understanding leads to connection. I hope more Chinese friends can discover and appreciate my homeland,” she said.

Despite her busy schedule, Nguyen Thi Lan maintains a disciplined lifestyle, running 5–10 kilometers every day. “Running keeps me focused, improves my energy, and helps me stay in the best condition to film, study, and engage with others,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Nguyen Thi Lan’s goals are clear. “After graduation, I plan to further develop my career in cross-border e-commerce. With my fluency in both Chinese and Vietnamese, I aim to identify popular Chinese products for Vietnamese consumers and introduce high-quality Vietnamese goods to the Chinese market. I’m also working to enhance my video production and social media skills to showcase products in a way that highlights their unique stories and cultural backgrounds. My goal is to make cross-border e-commerce more personal and appealing. Additionally, I hope to host interactive online events to connect with customers and fans, making cross-border shopping a truly enjoyable experience.”

This Vietnamese girl, with her passion, camera, and youthful energy, is building bridges between the lives and dreams of young people in China and Vietnam, one video at a time.

By Eva Yin