From transforming into historical figures, making documentaries, drawing propaganda posters to organizing historical trial simulations and holding discussions to exchange historical witnesses, it has shown that generations of Hanoi students are "retelling" Vietnamese history in a new, creative and emotional way. Each lesson becomes a journey of discovery, where the past appears vividly, intimately, touches emotions and fosters national spirit.

History is not just to remember but to live

Nguyen Dinh Nhat An, a 12AB3 student at Wellspring Hanoi School, general director of the musical "Memories and Aspirations" shared: "History carries many stories that touch the heart and art helps those stories spread more strongly. Through musicals, I hope that viewers will not only receive knowledge but also empathize with history from a close perspective."

Nhat An believes that today's students are the bridge between the past and the present. Expressing history through creative forms such as theater and music is a way for the younger generation to spread the national spirit in a proactive and modern way. The most touching moment for An was when editing the final scene of the performance.

"The play 'I Love You Mom' is where I put a lot of heart and soul into touching the audience's emotions. The 3 months of preparation were stressful but full of memories. The moment the audience shed tears was the greatest reward for us," Nhat An said emotionally.

Ms. Lan Phuong, a History teacher at Wellspring Hanoi School, said that teaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha, students who did not grow up with memories of war, poses a challenge in how to make history not only learned, but also felt and lived.

According to Ms. Phuong, emotion and personalization are the keys to helping students connect with history. The project "Under the Unified Flag" is a clear example: students are transformed into characters such as generals, journalists, artists, technicians, etc. to retell history from their own perspectives.

"When students are proactive in approaching history, it is no longer just test knowledge, but becomes a life experience," Ms. Phuong emphasized.

In the art program "Memories and Aspirations", students voluntarily called for donations for Agent Orange victims with their own creative products.

The female teacher emotionally shared: "No one asked, they did it out of their hearts. I am proud to see that students not only understand history, but also know how to share and act - so that the past lives on in a humane way in the present."

Students retell history in the language of their generation.

"History is not just for remembering, but for living," affirmed Mr. Nguyen Vinh Son, Principal of Wellspring Hanoi School. And at Wellspring Hanoi School, history is inspired through the PPF method (Understanding the past - Knowing the present - Creating the future), with three steps: Entry (experiencing the relic), role-playing (transforming into a character), and immersion (reflecting, connecting).

Not only taught in History class, history is present in every subject – from Math, Music to Computer Science – through stories, images and emotional experiences. Every teacher is a "historical storyteller", every student is a "memory bearer".

"We empower students to tell history in the language of their generation: write, draw, make films, create podcasts, design games or exhibit objects. The important thing is not right or wrong, but sincerity and responsibility to the national memory," said Mr. Son.

This shows that international school students like Wellspring also build a stress-free learning environment, encourage critical thinking, personalize experiences, and connect history with the present and future. Teacher Nguyen Vinh Son pointed out: "History is not only remembered in books, but lives on through the right choices today, through gratitude, empathy, and positive actions of each student."

Not only in public schools, in recent years, many public educational institutions and even international and private schools in Hanoi have proactively implemented creative programs in teaching and spreading love for national history.

Typical examples include the "Literature - History Dramatization" contest between the Northern campuses of the FPT High School system, where students demonstrated their talents through moving plays: "Determined to Die for the Fatherland" (FPT Polytechnic Vinh Phuc), "The Sorrow of War" (FPT Polytechnic Thai Nguyen) or "An Duong Vuong and Mi Chau - Trong Thuy" (FPT Polytechnic Hanoi).

Pascal Secondary School regularly launches the project "Following the course of history" with monthly special issues. In the 4th issue, teachers and students together reviewed the heroic history of the Capital in the early days of the national resistance war, helping students understand more deeply the sacred meaning of independence and freedom.

Meanwhile, at the British Vietnamese International School (BVIS Hanoi), on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of National Day, September 2, secondary school students organized an art program and learned about Vietnamese history through their own creativity and feelings. This is an annual activity to spread the love of history, contribute to nurturing national pride and affirm the school's commitment to comprehensive education.

These creative models show that when history is told with heart and imagination, it is no longer dry words but becomes a lifeblood flowing in each young generation. And from there, love for the country and national pride are naturally, deeply and sustainably aroused.

According to Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Chuc - Head of the Heritage Technology and Education Project (Center for Research and Promotion of Cultural Heritage Values), since the beginning of 2025, the unit has deployed a heritage education game show program in schools nationwide, with the goal of bringing history closer to students through technology and interdisciplinary experiences.

The program not only revolves around historical artifacts or stories, but also integrates knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, technology... to inspire learning. The vividly designed activities such as: Crossing Thach Han River, trekking through the forest to get secret letters, scanning QR codes to answer questions, making tire sandals directly... have received enthusiastic responses at schools, typically Wellspring Hanoi School.

Following that success, the project continued to be deployed at the National History Museum with the theme "The country is one", aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). In particular, for the first time, students were able to use robots on a 3D sand table to simulate the journey to the South, overcoming the "electronic fence", the Truong Son road... creating a vivid and attractive historical experience.

The project aims to bring technology into heritage education, focusing on students, dramatizing experiences to arouse emotions, national pride and awareness of historical inheritance. In 2025, the unit plans to develop more modules on ancient costumes, royal life, craft villages, culture of 54 ethnic groups... to spread Vietnamese cultural values ​​to the community, especially the younger generation.

It can be seen that national history always needs to be told in many different ways. And when students in the capital choose to tell their own stories through technology, creativity and emotional role-playing, it is not only a new way of learning, but also a way to fuel tradition. From classrooms, playgrounds to museums, the stories of the country continue to resonate more youthfully, more intimately, but still full of pride and responsibility.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/khi-lich-su-duoc-ke-lai-bang-trai-tim-20250413113745409.htm