Hi there - I'm Han. I connect lived experience to larger systems through narrative and analysis.

Growing up in a traditional Vietnamese household, I was taught that a woman’s virginity is tied to her worth. Losing it meant losing something important about myself. That belief followed me through childhood and into adulthood, lingering even when I no longer resonated with it.In my family, sex was never a topic of discussion. The word itself felt forbidden. There were no conversations about consent, no explanations of safe sex, no room for curiosity. Asking questions was met with criticism: go...

The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most contested maritime regions, where escalating coercion threatens regional stability and Vietnam’s sovereignty. As great-power rivalry intensifies, Vietnam must adopt a strategy that protects its territorial integrity without sacrificing autonomy. This memo argues that an Enhanced Non-Aligned Hedging approach offers the most sustainable path forward. By strengthening deterrence through targeted military modernization while deepening multilateral cooperation and strictly upholding the “Four No’s,” Vietnam can manage risks, counter coercive behavior, and preserve strategic flexibility. This balanced strategy positions Vietnam to defend its interests effectively while avoiding entrapment or escalation in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.

The Lago Agrio case reveals how fragile justice becomes when corporate power collides with human suffering. For decades, Indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon lived with poisoned water, toxic waste pits, and the long-term health consequences of Texaco’s oil operations. Steven Donziger, the lawyer who took on their fight, helped win a historic $9.5 billion judgment, but soon found himself targeted by Chevron’s vast legal machine. To some, he is a hero who stood up to a corporate giant; to others, a lawyer who crossed ethical lines. This tension between advocacy and accusation exposes the deeper truth of Lago Agrio: the real tragedy is not Donziger’s reputation, but the communities still living with contamination and injustice. The case stands as a stark reminder that environmental justice is never guaranteed; it must be fought for against systems built to resist accountability.

Moving out for university feels exciting, until the homesickness and quiet nights hit. Here’s what living alone taught me about true independence. 


The Fantasy of Freedom 


It all sounds thrilling at first: the idea of moving away, starting fresh, and finally being independent. Maybe it’s because of all the movies we watched, showing people finding themselves in big cities? Or maybe it’s the dream of proving to yourself that you can make it on your own? 


But, when I actually moved away f...

A gentle meditation on childhood, memory, and the voice of nature that follows us across distance and time. Written first in Vietnamese and later translated into English, this bilingual poem explores how wind, light, and landscape become the earliest language we ever learn and the one that never leaves us.

This op-ed argues that the Liberal government’s reckless immigration policies have pushed Canada past its limits, eroded public trust, and reduced legitimate immigrants to statistics in a system they can no longer rely on.

This study examines how teacher behavior and communication shape student motivation, emotional well-being, and academic growth at Dawson College. Through interviews with six students from different programs, the findings show that supportive, clear, and engaged teaching strengthens confidence and learning, while dismissive or rigid approaches create anxiety and hinder progress. The study highlights the powerful role teachers play in shaping both academic outcomes and students’ overall sense of belonging and capability.