The Quest for an Understanding: Go out of those bamboo hedges | Harry Quang Hung Nguyen | TEDxSHMS

Описание: In his evocative TEDxSHMS talk, "Go Out of Those Bamboo Hedges!," Harry Nguyen shares a powerful narrative about how the pursuit of knowledge serves as a life-changing key to success. Rooted in a traditional Vietnamese metaphor, the "bamboo hedges" represent the physical and mental comfort zones that can confine our potential. Through the stories of three generations—beginning with his grandfather, who taught himself French while working as a cook during colonial times—Harry illustrates how a belief in the "enlightenment of knowledge" can transcend even the most difficult circumstances.


Harry traces his family’s journey from the paddy fields of northern Vietnam to his own international education in Switzerland, demonstrating that education is an inheritance of courage. He recounts how his father dreamt of life beyond the village, eventually leaving the bamboo hedges with nothing but a bike and old books to become an architect. Harry brings this legacy to life by sharing how his own passion for history and wine was ignited by simple moments of "the joy of knowing"—proving that an "illuminated mind" is one that dares to swim in the vast, expanding ocean of understanding. His talk is a stirring reminder that while leaving our "bamboo hedges" is hard, it is the only way to reach the meaningful stages of life that lie beyond. Harry is excited to now have made his TEDxSHMS debut. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx