On his journey to affirm himself through the light of art and humanistic values, Chau Nguyen Tung Son – a fourth-year student at Hanoi National University of Education – has continuously strived to shine. From being named 1st Runner-up at the National Elegant Student Contest 2024 to winning The Star Glory Model Vietnam, from founding a community project for children with disabilities to serving as a media ambassador for dozens of student organizations, Son has written an inspiring story of youth. In 2025, Tung Son is honored to become the Global Student Model Ambassador of Global Student Fashion Week – an international fashion event that brings together young global talents.
When darkness is the starting point
Tung Son’s journey was not paved with glory, but built from silent battles within himself. Having gone through periods of depression, insecurity about his appearance, and feeling lost in the crowd, Son understands well the nature of psychological limits – things that are hard to see but can easily swallow one’s aspirations. However, instead of surrendering, he chose to face them, rising on his own with quiet perseverance and effort, just as he once said: “The only person you need to defeat is your past self”.
It was those seemingly dark days that became the launching pad for him to understand himself, forge a steely spirit, and rediscover his true self through art. Coming to the Elegant Student contest, Son brought with him everything: ambition, his story, sincerity, and faith. And then, that radiance not only earned him the title of 1st Runner-up, but also awakened the dreams of countless like-minded young people – those who are silently struggling in the shadows.
Weaving kindness from daily sympathy
Not limiting himself to the title of model, Chau Nguyen Tung Son sees fashion as a tool to create positive impact. In 2024, he founded the community project “Thuong” (Affection), aimed at supporting children with disabilities – partly out of empathy, and partly from a desire to give something kind back through his own experiences. For Son, empathy does not come merely from words, but must begin with action.
Alongside his social projects, Son also serves as a media ambassador for over 50 student organizations across the country. Amidst the pressure of studying, performing, and running projects, he always maintains his passionate spirit, believing that when passion is strong enough, it can help people overcome any challenge. What’s truly admirable is that Son doesn’t just talk about kindness – he lives it every day, from the smallest actions to every meaningful step on the catwalk.
His greatest source of inspiration is his mother. She is the one who taught him about kindness, compassion, and the power of belief. The journey of living kindly as Son says is a long but worthwhile one, where each person can beautify themselves and the world around them with love and sincerity.
Global Student Fashion Week: Where young talents globally shine
Global Student Fashion Week (GSFW) 2025 promises to be one of the most impactful international student fashion events of the year, not only because of its scale but also for the humanistic values and sustainable development orientation it promotes. Scheduled to take place in December 2025 in Hanoi, Vietnam, GSFW will serve as a convergence point for outstanding individuals – a place where young talents have the opportunity to step onto the global stage, assert their creative identity, and directly connect with leading names in the international fashion industry.
With the participation of 150 young designers representing over 30 top fashion institutes, along with 999 Global Ambassadors and more than 6,000 special guests from across the continents, GSFW 2025 is not just a week of runway shows – it is a cultural dialogue space, where groundbreaking collections will be celebrated on a foundation of technology, identity, and social responsibility.
A standout feature of this year’s GSFW is the integration of sustainable fashion principles into every aspect of the event. Through runway shows, in-depth workshops, and creative networking sessions, GSFW creates opportunities for the new generation of designers to access professional standards while actively contributing to the formation of modern, human-centered fashion trends. With its impressive scale and visionary outlook, GSFW 2025 is set to play a key role in reshaping the global landscape of student fashion.
Not an answer – rather a way of life
As a prominent representative of Gen Z, Tung Son deeply understands both the challenges and strengths of his generation. He believes that what Gen Z needs is not just the spotlight, but serious preparation to stay strong on the long journey ahead. “You may not be great yet, but you must dare to believe, dare to learn, and dare to persist,” he says. For Son, passion must go hand in hand with discipline, and standing out only holds true value when it is supported by inner depth.
He also believes that fashion in the Gen Z era needs to return to its core values: expressing individuality, respecting diversity, and uplifting the human spirit. For him, every step on the catwalk is not just about technique, but a statement of youth who dare to live authentically and beautifully. He aspires to the image of a model who is not only physically attractive but also rich in soul – where perseverance, integrity, and kindness are the keys to sustainable growth.
Tung Son doesn’t want to be remembered only through photoshoots. He hopes to become a living symbol of a young generation – one that dares to shine through their own story and contributes to making fashion more accessible, more meaningful, and more human than ever before.
Hailey | Cameron Truong
