A journey toward wisdom at a Japanese school in the heart of Hanoi

According to Prof. Dao Xuan Hoc, founder of the Japanese International School (JIS), the core factor in a person's success lies in character education at both home and school. With good character, a person can quickly distinguish right from wrong and control their emotions; it is these emotions that determine actions. That is the first journey toward wisdom.

He recognized this harmony in the Japanese education environment, where teachers are strict and disciplined yet always know how to make each child feel cared for and loved.

So what is the next journey toward wisdom? Certainly, it is the journey of intellect: a deep understanding of people, objects and situations, and the ability to act effectively in both favorable and challenging circumstances to achieve the best outcomes.

When forming the idea of establishing an international multi-level education system, Prof. Dao Xuan Hoc approached Mrs. Tanaka, Second Secretary in charge of cultural and educational affairs at the Embassy of Japan.

With support from the Embassy of Japan and Chuo University, connecting with Japanese teachers became relatively convenient. However, persuading them to live and work in Vietnam was not easy.

The founder of JIS believes that to build a school culture in the Japanese style, Japanese teachers must take the lead in discipline and conduct, setting an example for all staff and teachers.

The school’s slogan is: “Having a good personality is more important than high intelligence”. Character includes ethics, discipline and understanding, in which understanding people and how to treat others is the most important.

Human society constantly changes, but the values of human character remain constant, unchanged throughout history, across all countries and social systems. Character values ultimately determine a person’s success,” Prof. Dao Xuan Hoc shared.

In particular, for the school, the most important factor for students is safety. Every corner of desks and cabinets in the primary area is covered with silicone padding; door gaps in the kindergarten area are cushioned with rolled plastic to prevent children's fingers from getting caught.

At JIS, there is also a shared rule regarding meals: students must not leave food uneaten. Teachers sit with students until the end of the meal. Some students, due to specific physical conditions, may leave a small portion of food, but they must finish their vegetables. When leaving the table, students must clean up utensils and food and neatly tuck their chairs under the table.

There are many more lessons on discipline and conduct at JIS. For example, when speaking, students must look into the other person’s eyes; when using the elevator, they must hold the door, invite others in first and enter last; and they must always be punctual.

At the Japanese International School, the slogan “Being intelligent and academically strong is necessary, but more important is having good character” seems to have been deeply instilled in every staff member and teacher. Among the factors forming a person’s character, discipline and conduct are extremely important. Prof. Hoc recalled a story about a former deputy minister at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development who said that some leaders dressed inappropriately for different contexts due to a lack of proper training in conduct and an inability to dress suitably for each situation.

At JIS, teachers never criticize students in front of the class, as this would cause embarrassment and emotional harm, which can gradually lead to low self-esteem. In cases where two students have conflicts or fights, Japanese teachers always speak to each student individually, identify the causes and analyze the situation to resolve conflicts, helping students regain emotional balance.

Ten years after the establishment of the Japanese International School, this “garden of knowledge” has begun to bear its first fruits. Most high school graduates (studying under the Japanese international program, the Cambridge international program and joint programs) have gained admission to prestigious universities both domestically and internationally.

Many JIS students have also been admitted to top universities in Japan, such as Waseda University, an institution that has produced 7 Prime Ministers of Japan, 3 presidents of Sony Corporation, 2 generations of chairmen of Samsung, and the chairman of Uniqlo, as well as other prestigious universities such as the University of Osaka and Keio University. Some students study in Japan in English, while being able to communicate in Japanese like native speakers, even working as teaching assistants to earn additional income.

The educational journey at the Japanese International School continues.

Within the school in the heart of Hanoi, small habits are cultivated every day.

From neatly arranging slippers before entering the classroom to greeting others each morning, from tidy meals to respectful behavior with friends.

And perhaps that is the deepest meaning of the journey toward wisdom.