Speaking
Practice

A sportsperson from Vietnam whom I admire is weightlifter Hoang Thi Duyen. I first learned about her through sports news and clips from major international competitions.

She has represented Vietnam in high-level weightlifting events and is known for competing in a sport that requires both physical power and careful technique. What interests me is that elite weightlifters have to train consistently for years and manage body weight, recovery and pressure at the same time.

One achievement that made me pay more attention to her was winning medals at major regional and international events. I remember watching highlights where she stayed very calm before each lift, even though one small mistake could affect the whole result. That kind of mental strength impressed me as much as the weight itself. She has also competed against athletes from countries with very strong weightlifting traditions, which makes her results even more meaningful.

I admire her because she shows how much discipline is needed behind a short moment of competition. She sets a strong example for young athletes by proving that consistent work matters. I also respect the fact that she competes in a demanding sport without needing constant attention outside competition.

An activity that made me feel extremely tired was a mountain hike I did with three friends last year. It took place in a national park during a weekend trip.

We joined the hike because we wanted to reach a viewpoint that was famous for its sunrise and wide mountain scenery. The route was described as moderate, so I assumed it would be manageable even though I did not hike regularly.

The first hour was quite easy, but the path soon became much steeper. I was carrying a backpack with water, food and a light jacket, and after several long slopes my legs started feeling heavy. The weather was also warmer than expected. We stopped regularly, but during the final section I felt as if I had almost run out of energy. I had to slow down, drink more water and push through one short section at a time. Eventually, we reached the viewpoint after more than four hours.

I was completely worn out because I was not used to continuous climbing and had carried too much. Still, reaching the top felt satisfying. The experience taught me to train a little beforehand and pack more carefully for future hikes.

A place near where I live where people often go swimming is a public sports centre about fifteen minutes away. It has a large outdoor swimming pool and is popular with local residents.

The main pool is a long lap pool with marked lanes, and there is a smaller shallow area for children and beginners. The centre also has changing rooms, showers and several lifeguards on duty. It is not luxurious, but it is clean and generally well maintained.

People choose this pool because the entrance fee is affordable and the location is easy to reach. In the early morning, serious swimmers use the lanes for exercise, while in the late afternoon families and students are more common. I went there with a friend last month on a very hot day. We swam for about forty minutes and then sat beside the pool to cool off. Even though the centre was busy, the lanes were organised enough that it did not feel chaotic.

I think people enjoy going there quite a lot because the pool is practical rather than fancy. It gives nearby residents a safe place to exercise, learn to swim and escape the heat without spending much money.

A natural talent I would like to improve is singing. I am not trained, but I can usually sing in tune and remember melodies quite easily, which several friends have pointed out.

I first noticed this ability in secondary school when our class prepared songs for a school event. I was nervous about singing in front of others, but the music teacher said I had a good sense of rhythm and could follow the melody more accurately than I expected.

Since then, I have mostly sung casually at home or with friends. The problem is that I do not have much vocal control, so my voice becomes weak on higher notes and I sometimes breathe at the wrong time. I would like to take a beginner singing course and practise regularly for a few months. I do not want to become a professional singer. I simply want to learn better breathing, improve pitch and bring out my potential instead of relying only on natural ability.

I feel positive about improving this talent because singing is enjoyable and gives me a creative way to relax. Becoming more skilled would also build confidence, especially when singing in front of other people.

A sport I have watched but never played myself is tennis. I first became interested in it through major Grand Slam matches on television.

The first match I clearly remember watching was a men's final several years ago. I watched it at home with my father, who understands tennis better than I do. He explained the scoring system and some basic tactics while we watched.

What impressed me most was how quickly the players moved even though they often made it look effortless. A strong serve could end a point immediately, but long baseline rallies required patience, accuracy and excellent court coverage. During the final set, both players looked tired but still produced very precise shots. I remember being surprised by how much strategy was involved. They were not simply hitting the ball hard; they were constantly trying to create space and force errors.

I found tennis much more interesting than I had expected. It seems physically demanding but also highly tactical. Watching that final made me want to try it one day, although I know the sport probably feels much harder on court than it looks on television.