DO HOANG
GIANG
Welcome to the Stage of
About me
I’m Do Hoang Giang, a student at Hanoi–Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, currently based in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have always been fascinated by the ways sound connects science and human experience, from the physics of a resonating wave to the emotions carried by a piano melody or the cultural memory preserved in traditional Vietnamese music. Whether I am experimenting with acoustic systems, exploring the relationship between sound and cognition, or playing the đàn đáy, I find myself drawn to the connections between things that may seem worlds apart. My motto is simple: to keep questioning, to create with purpose, and to use what I learn to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
“Every note I play sound
where I began — and who I’m becoming.”
01
Childhood Memories
I grew up in Hanoi with my parents and my older brother. When I was little, I enjoyed spending time with my family, especially during weekends and school holidays. My brother and I played together, watched cartoons, and sometimes argued over small things. My mother often took pictures of us before school, including one where she wore a red dress and stood between us in our uniforms. I also remember going to parks, riding my bicycle near the lake, and spending afternoons outside. My parents encouraged us to try different activities and explore new places. Looking back, I feel lucky to have grown up in a family where I could enjoy my childhood and discover my interests.
As a child, I was interested in many things, especially computers, books, and games that required thinking. My brother and I often sat together in front of our family computer, exploring different programs and learning how to use them. We also played chess at home, sometimes spending an entire afternoon trying to win against each other. I enjoyed reading books about science and the universe. One book I remember clearly is A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Although I could not understand everything, I was interested in learning about space, stars, and how the universe worked. These activities made me enjoy solving problems and finding answers to questions that came to mind.
02
World Adventures
During primary school, my family often traveled together during summer vacations. We visited beaches, mountains, caves, and other places in Vietnam. I particularly remember a trip where we explored a large limestone cave and went kayaking with a group of family friends. We wore life jackets, carried yellow paddles, and took pictures beside colorful kayaks. On another trip, I played on a rocky beach with my mother and brother, running between the rocks and getting splashed by the waves. I also enjoyed visiting new cities and seeing different buildings and landscapes. These trips gave me opportunities to spend time with my family, learn about different places, and become more comfortable trying new activities.
My primary school was where I made many friends and participated in different school activities. I remember the opening ceremony of the 2016–2017 school year, when my classmates and I stood together in our uniforms for a group photograph. Outside regular lessons, I enjoyed playing chess, football, and table tennis. In 2018, I participated in the EPC Table Tennis Tournament with other students wearing orange sports shirts. I also joined competitions where I received medals and certificates. Sometimes I performed well, while other times I lost and had to practice more. I enjoyed these experiences because they gave me opportunities to improve my skills, meet other students, and have fun outside the classroom.
03
Musical Interests
I started learning piano when I was young. In the beginning, I practiced simple melodies and spent a lot of time learning how to read music and use both hands correctly. Some pieces were difficult, so I had to repeat them many times before I could play them smoothly. I usually practiced at home after school and attended lessons with my piano teacher. On October 13, 2019, I attended the Trinity College London certificate ceremony in Hanoi, where I received my Grade 3 Piano certificate. I was happy to see the results of my practice. Learning piano helped me become more patient and disciplined, and it gradually became one of my favorite activities.
As I became more confident with the piano, I started participating in school performances and musical activities with my friends. Sometimes I played the keyboard while other students sang or performed with different instruments. I remember performing in the school courtyard with classmates who played violin, guitar, and piano. We practiced together before each event and helped one another prepare. In 2022, I performed on an electronic keyboard at the GALA Super Team community event while wearing an orange A School shirt. I also enjoyed playing music during informal gatherings, when friends stood around the keyboard to listen or sing along. These experiences helped me become more comfortable performing in front of people and working with others.
04
Teenage Years
During my secondary school years at Archimedes School, I became close to many classmates through lessons, sports, and school events. We often played football together after school and participated in group activities during weekends. I also enjoyed spending time with friends outside school, including birthday celebrations, camping trips, and meals together. One of my favorite memories was taking group photographs with my classmates on a street in Hanoi, where we sat along the road in colorful shirts. We also performed music together during school events and helped organize different activities. These experiences gave me many good memories and helped me learn how to communicate, cooperate, and build friendships with people who had different personalities and interests.
Looking back at my childhood, I realize that many of my interests started much earlier than I expected. Reading A Brief History of Time introduced me to questions about the universe, while experimenting with electrical circuits at school helped me understand how physics works in everyday life. I also enjoyed learning about astronomy, especially when I had the chance to look through a telescope and observe distant landscapes and the sky. Outside the classroom, I continued exploring new places with my family, including a trip to Fansipan, where I enjoyed the mountain views and fresh air. Whether I was practicing piano, learning about electricity, or spending time with friends, I always found something interesting to discover. These experiences continue to shape my interests today.
Where stardust meets soundwaves, equations turn to melodies, and imagination finds its resonance.
