The story of three-leaf clover and three students of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture

The business trip to Ireland was filled with profound and meaningful experiences. It was the story of the three-leaf clover, the symbol of a country with the beautiful Sino-Vietnamese phonetic name: Ai Nhi Lan. It was also an unexpected and touching encounter with three students from the Vietnam National University Agriculture who are currently participating in the Ireland-Vietnam Agriculture & Food Partnership (IVAP) program. This initiative supports the transformation of the food system through technical exchange, knowledge sharing, training, and skill development.

Each of the three students comes from a different hometown: one from Bac Giang, famous for its lychee; another from Hung Yen, known for its longan; and the third from Thai Binh, the homeland of the "five-ton" rice. Their youthful faces radiated optimism and confidence as they eagerly absorbed the essence of agricultural science from a country that ranks among the world's leaders in prosperity and happiness. During a visit to a suburban organic and circular farm, they enthusiastically introduced and analyzed the farm's mission and objectives. The farm, named Airfield, is a model of agricultural tourism combined with environmental education, evoking curiosity and inspiration: Airfield.

The multi-functional farm, rich in value and located near a bustling urban area with towering buildings in a wealthy nation like Ireland, sparked deep contemplation. Though it had the same grass patches, flower beds, fruit-laden trees, lush green vegetable plots, and livestock barns, there was something uniquely emotional and captivating about the place, drawing visitors one after another.

The student from Luc Ngan (Bac Giang) passionately shared knowledge about natural decomposition cycles, soil nutrient enrichment, and natural pest control methods that eliminate the need for chemical pesticides. The student from My Hao (Hung Yen) enthusiastically explained how livestock waste can be converted into organic bio-fertilizer. The student from Vu Thu (Thai Binh), who had previously won a national e-sports competition, was fascinated by the role of earthworms in enhancing soil fertility.

The delicate, resilient three-leaf clover symbolizes faith, hope, and love. Its fresh green color bears many similarities to the Vietnamese indigenous plants, such as water clover and wood sorrel. Likewise, the three students are on a journey of experience, learning, and discovery, eagerly accumulating knowledge and skills to adopt new agricultural perspectives and practices. They are determined to fuel their passion and, with the burning aspirations of their generation, turn their dreams into reality-contributing to the transformation of Vietnamese agriculture. They will start with lychee, longan, and rice, then expand to countless other crops and livestock across their homeland. They may even establish a circular farm like Airfield, integrating agricultural tourism and environmental education, right within the Vietnam National University Agriculture.

A national leader once shared with great conviction: "Trust me, if you want to know what the future of a country looks like, ask the young people-those living in the age of artificial intelligence, the knowledge economy, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution." If we want to envision what Vietnamese agriculture will look like in five or ten years, we should ask these aspiring agriculture students. We must trust them and provide them with opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. It is the responsibility and duty of educators and the preceding generations: Cultivate plants, nurture people, and shape the future.

It is estimated that among approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers, one may find a four-leaf clover. The fourth leaf represents luck. Luck comes in two forms: natural luck and self-made luck. Successful people are those who know how to create their own luck, prepare the best conditions, and be ready to embrace opportunities when they arise. Success and luck are not merely coincidences or random events; they are also shaped by individual effort. The secret of luck lies in this understanding, ingrained in the mindset of the younger generation, descendants of Lac and Hong, who are studying and experiencing life in various places around the vast world!

With utmost trust, hope, and love, along with self-made luck, we send our best wishes to the three students studying far from home and to all students of the Vietnam National University Agriculture on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 academic year.