At USTH, university life extends beyond the lecture hall. For Nguyễn Minh Hiếu (Mighty Kay), Vice President of FrancDanc, joining the dance club has been more than an opportunity to pursue his passion for hip-hop. It has been a journey of stepping outside his comfort zone, developing new skills and discovering more about himself alongside his studies.
| Founded in 2024 by Dương Gia Hân, a third-year Biotechnology – Drug Development student in the double-degree programme, FrancDanc has developed through three generations of student leaders and now has 21 official members. Today, Nguyễn Minh Hiếu, a second-year Pharmacy student, serves as the club’s Vice President. His journey with FrancDanc offers a closer look at how a personal interest can become a meaningful part of university life. |
From a Dance Enthusiast to a FrancDanc Leader
Before joining FrancDanc, Nguyễn Minh Hiếu already had a strong interest in hip-hop, but he was not always confident performing in front of others. When he first became part of the club, he found a space beyond the lecture hall where he could try new things, meet people with similar interests and gradually become more comfortable expressing himself.
As he became more involved in FrancDanc, Hiếu began to realise that a performance involves much more than learning individual dance moves. Each routine requires music selection, choreography, formations and hours of practice, as well as close coordination among members. From initially following existing routines, he gradually became interested in how a performance is developed and how each member contributes to the final result.
His involvement in the club gradually expanded beyond regular practice sessions. As a member of the Executive Board, Hiếu has had opportunities to coordinate activities, work with lecturers and partners, give presentations and support other members. These responsibilities have encouraged him to become more proactive in communication, time management and problem-solving, while also helping him build greater confidence when working with others. From being hesitant to speak in front of a group, Hiếu has gradually become more comfortable sharing ideas, coordinating tasks and working with others towards a common goal.
Nguyễn Minh Hiếu – second-year Pharmacy student and Vice President of FrancDanc, USTH
Throughout his journey, Hiếu has also received support from former members of FrancDanc. Among them was Nguyễn Mỹ, a former Vice President of the club, who encouraged Hiếu to become more open and confident in expressing himself through dance. The advice and experience shared during his early days at the club gave him further motivation to remain involved and take on new responsibilities.
After three generations, experience in training, performance preparation and activity organisation continues to be passed from one generation of members to the next. For Hiếu, becoming Vice President is also part of this continuity: learning from previous generations while contributing to the development of the club for future members.
GALA SOTA 2026: Behind the Performance
GALA SOTA 2026 was an important milestone in Hiếu’s journey with FrancDanc. Over around one and a half months of preparation, he and other members worked on three performances, from developing formations and choreography to refining the final details before the event.
Some practice sessions lasted until 11:30 p.m., while members also had to balance rehearsals with their studies and personal commitments. For Hiếu, this period also marked a change in his role within the club. He was not only responsible for his own performance, but also had to follow the team’s progress, coordinate members and support the process of turning an initial idea into a complete stage performance.
One of the highlights was “A Little Dream of Me,” a collaboration between FrancDanc and USTH M&M Not Chocobeans. As the performance was completed relatively close to the event date, the two members in charge had to work closely together, make adjustments and rehearse repeatedly to bring the different parts of the performance together.
As Vice President, Hiếu helped monitor the practice schedule, coordinate members and support the tasks needed to complete the performance on time. More experienced members also supported newcomers as they became familiar with the formations and practice routines.
For Hiếu, the process provided valuable experience in teamwork and coordination. It also helped him understand how each member has an important role to play in bringing a shared idea to life.
After the final performance, the team took time to reflect on what they had achieved and identify areas for improvement. For Hiếu, this was also an opportunity to look back on his own role throughout the preparation process, from monitoring progress and supporting members to helping address unexpected challenges. These experiences have gradually helped him become more proactive and responsible in his work.
Despite his growing involvement in FrancDanc, Hiếu continues to consider his studies a top priority. He organises his club activities around his academic schedule and adjusts his commitments during examination periods. From his experience, he believes that being an active university student is not about taking part in as many activities as possible, but about choosing activities that align with your interests and being responsible for the commitments you make.
When STEM Students Find Another Way to Express Themselves
When people think of science and technology students, they may picture lectures, formulas and hours spent in laboratories. For Hiếu, however, student life at USTH also includes another space for creativity and self-expression. Through FrancDanc, he has found an opportunity to explore movement, technique and performance alongside his academic studies. As he became more involved in the club, he also discovered that each member brings different strengths to the group. Some have strong technical skills, while others have a good sense of rhythm or are better at developing formations and connecting members. These differences complement one another when the members work together, contributing to the character of each performance. Hiếu laughs when he mentions that around 95% of FrancDanc members wear glasses. For him, it is an interesting detail about a group whose members are familiar with lecture halls and laboratories, but who can also spend evenings practising together and performing with enthusiasm when the music starts.
For Hiếu, this combination of academic study and personal interests is an important part of his university experience at USTH. While his studies remain a priority, FrancDanc gives him another environment in which to explore his interests, develop interpersonal skills and connect with other students.
From a student who was once hesitant to perform in front of others, Hiếu has gradually become more confident in communicating, working with a team and taking responsibility for shared goals. His experience also shows how a personal interest can open up new opportunities for learning and personal development when students are willing to step beyond what is familiar.
Looking back on his journey from his first practice sessions to becoming Vice President, Hiếu has developed not only as a performer but also as a team member and student leader. His experience with FrancDanc reflects another dimension of student life at USTH, where academic study can be complemented by opportunities to explore personal interests, develop practical skills and build meaningful connections with others.
