A Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication) student and 2022 Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar at RMIT Vietnam, Thinh has grown into a confident communicator with a clear point of view that is shaped by curiosity, creativity and a habit of questioning everything.
An application that stood out, in red
When it came to applying for the VOTF Fellowship, Thinh didn’t hold back.
He chose video as the medium. In his submission, Think wore a red traditional áo dài while moving across iconic landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City, sharing his perspective on the creative industry through a distinctly Vietnamese lens.
It was bold, personal and unmistakably him.
In the video, Thinh reflected on three principles that guide his thinking: distinctiveness, effectiveness and cultural intelligence. He argued that creativity should not just look different, but create real impact, and that great ideas must be grounded in local context.
“In a market where everything looks the same, my instinct is to make sure my work never does,” Thinh said.
That mindset has been shaped through his studies in the Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication), where he learned how to turn ideas into stories that connect.
“When preparing for VOTF, I found myself drawing on that way of thinking, how to present something that is not just creative, but meaningful and relevant,” he added.
If there’s one theme that runs through Thinh’s journey, it’s this: say yes first, figure it out later.
Competitions? He joined.
Projects? He took them on.
Opportunities? He rarely turned them down.
“I didn’t always feel ready,” Thinh admitted. “But I didn’t want to miss the chance.”
That mindset meant juggling coursework, creative competitions and application deadlines, sometimes all at once. But it also opened doors he hadn’t originally imagined.
The VOTF Fellowship was one of those doors.
More than a trip to Cannes
Because of time difference, the news arrived quietly: an email sent while Thinh was asleep.
“When I woke up and opened my mailbox, I was like … wait, is this real?” he recalled.
“At first, I was just excited to go to Cannes. Then I realised how big this opportunity is.”
