Mid-Autumn festival: Remembering Uncle Ho’s teachings on UFM’s 50-year journey
In September 2026, the University of Finance – Marketing (UFM) celebrates its 50th anniversary. As the University looks back on its half-century journey, the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 25 provides an opportunity to reflect on the profound care and affection that President Ho Chi Minh always showed toward children and the younger generation.
“On Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon shines like a mirror;
Uncle Ho looks at the moon and thinks of the children.”
(Excerpt from President Ho Chi Minh’s 1951 Mid-Autumn Festival letter to children)
Against this backdrop, UFM’s officials, lecturers, and students are invited to reflect on the responsibility of educators in imparting knowledge, nurturing character, and supporting the comprehensive development of future generations.
Mid-Autumn Festival in Uncle Ho’s affection for children
The Mid-Autumn Festival has long been a cherished celebration for children and a special occasion for family reunions. The glow of the full moon, colorful lanterns, the rhythmic beat of lion-dance drums, and traditional mooncakes have become treasured memories shared across generations.
For President Ho Chi Minh, the Mid-autumn festival was also an opportunity to express his affection, care, and confidence in children and the younger generation—the future of the nation. In his letters and poems to children, Uncle Ho often conveyed simple yet meaningful messages, encouraging them to study diligently, stay healthy, live in solidarity, and engage in activities appropriate to their age.
His affection was always accompanied by a strong sense of responsibility. President Ho Chi Minh emphasized that caring for and educating children was not solely the responsibility of families but required the joint efforts of schools and society as a whole. Children need to be loved, protected, and given opportunities to learn and develop comprehensively so that they can grow into responsible and productive citizens who contribute to the country.
Even during times of great hardship, Uncle Ho continued to pay close attention to children's happiness, education, and development. His legacy extends beyond his words of advice to children; it also reflects a compassionate way of treating others – through listening, respect, care, and concrete action.
Uncle Ho’s teachings on caring for the younger generation
Learning from and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style during the Mid-autumn festival is, above all, about translating care and affection into a sense of responsibility. Caring for children is not limited to giving gifts or sending good wishes. It also means creating a safe environment, providing a compassionate education, and offering patient and consistent guidance as they grow.
Today, children have greater access to knowledge and technology than ever before, but they are also exposed at an early age to academic pressure, unverified information, and risks in the digital environment. Caring for and protecting them therefore begins with listening, understanding, and providing appropriate guidance. When children are respected, supported, and guided appropriately, they can gradually develop resilience, self-protection skills, and a responsible way of life.
A timely word of encouragement, a positive example, or an inspiring lesson can leave a lasting impression. From Uncle Ho’s enduring affection for children, we are reminded that nurturing future generations is a long-term responsibility – one that is built through dedication, compassion, and meaningful actions in everyday life.
A 50-year journey of learning and growth at UFM
September 1, 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the traditional founding day of the University of Finance – Marketing (UFM), commemorating the establishment of the University on September 1, 1976. Over the past five decades, this journey has been shaped by generations of leaders, officials, lecturers, staff, employees, researchers, and students, all working together to build a quality educational environment and contribute highly qualified human resources to the country.
This year’s Mid-autumn festival provides an opportunity to reflect on UFM’s 50-year journey and, at the same time, to gain a deeper appreciation of the meaning and responsibility of education. Uncle Ho’s enduring concern for children reflects the importance of nurturing and caring for people from their earliest years. As young people grow and enter higher education, universities continue to accompany them by providing knowledge, cultivating skills, and developing the qualities and values they need to build their careers and live responsibly within society.
A well-educated student gains more than opportunities for career development. The values learned along the way – including honesty, compassion, and a sense of responsibility—can accompany them throughout their professional and personal lives, shaping how they contribute to their families, workplaces, and communities and how they nurture future generations. In this sense, the value of a university is reflected in each graduate and continues to extend into society.
The 50th anniversary of UFM’s traditional founding day is therefore both a source of pride and a reminder of the University's responsibility to preserve and further develop the values built over five decades. Improving the quality of education means not only strengthening students’ knowledge and professional competencies but also supporting their balanced development in character, ethics, and social responsibility.
The School of Financial and Banking Technology and its responsibility to learners
As a member of the University of Finance – Marketing, the School of Financial and Banking Technology contributes to this ongoing journey through teaching, scientific research, and support for students. The spirit of learning from and following Uncle Ho is reflected naturally in the way each member of the School performs their responsibilities: lecturers who are dedicated and fair, staff who are attentive and responsible, and students who approach their studies with seriousness and consideration for others.
In the fields of financial technology and banking, professional knowledge must go hand in hand with professional ethics. Students need not only to understand finance and technology but also to recognize the broader impact that their decisions may have on customers and society. Honesty, prudence, integrity, and a commitment to serving the community are therefore qualities that should be cultivated throughout their educational journey.
A rigorous yet supportive academic environment encourages students to explore knowledge with confidence, listen to others, and respect different perspectives. When lecturers teach with dedication and responsibility, staff support students attentively, and students treat one another with kindness and respect, these values cease to be merely ideals and become part of the School’s everyday culture.
Caring through everyday actions
The Mid-autumn festival on September 25, 2026, offers an opportunity for every member of the School of Financial and Banking Technology to show greater care and consideration toward their families, children, and those in need of support. Learning from and following Uncle Ho can begin with simple everyday actions: having a sincere conversation with a child, teaching with dedication, approaching study with discipline, or carrying out professional responsibilities with integrity.
This year’s Mid-autumn festival comes in the same year as UFM’s 50th anniversary, making the connection between generations particularly meaningful. From Uncle Ho’s affection for children to the University's half-century journey, there is a shared reminder of the responsibility to nurture people and prepare future generations. For the School of Financial and Banking Technology, this responsibility continues through the transmission of knowledge, the cultivation of professional ethics, and the commitment to accompanying students throughout their journey of learning and personal development.
Remembering Uncle Ho during the Mid-autumn festival therefore goes beyond recalling his affection for children and young people. Its deeper meaning lies in how each lecturer, staff member, and employee of the School, as well as the UFM community as a whole, preserves compassion, acts responsibly, and contributes to building a humane and supportive educational environment. In doing so, the values cultivated at UFM over the past 50 years can continue to inspire and benefit future generations.
Nguyen Viet Hong Anh, Nguyen Thi My Linh
Party Cell of the School of Financial and Banking Technology.