Tiếng Việt
The most precious sound
Working in the neonatal unit, Ms. Tuyen and her colleagues spend each day caring for tiny newborns—welcoming them from their very first moments, watching every breath, and gently nurturing them through their first days until they’re safely reunited with their families. They communicate with these little angels through gentle gestures and cries.
“Many people ask me if hearing babies cry all the time makes me tired or gives me headaches. But for us, the sound of crying is much more bearable than the beeping of monitors or ventilators. A baby who’s crying is a baby who’s strong—and that brings us joy,” she said with a smile.
She still remembers clearly the first birth she witnessed, when the baby didn’t cry right away. “Back then, I was only observing, but my heart was pounding along with the pace of the whole team. I had never seen the line between life and death feel so close. Fortunately, the baby turned pink again and finally let out that first cry. At the same time, I saw the father next to me burst into tears—and I couldn’t hold mine back either.”
The sound of babies crying has stayed with her throughout her 15-year journey—not only as a source of happiness, but also as a subtle “guide” helping her grow in the profession. “When I hear a baby cry, I talk to them like I would with a friend: ‘I’m here, I’m coming, just a moment, my friend.’ Each time I say that, it’s also a chance for us – neonatal nurses – to practice patience. We treat the babies gently, observe them carefully to know what they need, and comfort them with our most genuine love.”
Nights missing mom and love for the job
At Hanoi French Hospital, where Ms. Tuyen works, mothers are encouraged to let nurses care for their babies so they can rest fully and recover faster. Because of that, there are times when the neonatal unit has over 20 babies. Many mothers ask how the nurses manage to care for so many newborns at once without feeling exhausted.
When asked, Ms. Tuyen shared: “There are nights when all the babies cry at once. It wouldn’t be true to say we don’t feel pressure or fatigue, but we always get through it. I’ve talked with my colleagues, and we realized we share the same motivation. In those moments, we all think about our mothers.”
“That’s when I realize that when I was little, I must have cried just like this. My mother must have spent many sleepless nights trying to calm me down. Only then did I truly understand how much she sacrificed so I could grow up as I am today. On many nights, we play lullabies or songs about mothers. Even when we’re far from home, just thinking of our moms gives us more strength to keep going in this job we’ve chosen,” she said, visibly moved.
Fifteen years—from being “chosen” to choosing to stay
“The profession chose me—it was fate, a great blessing in my life,” said Ms. Tuyen. She shared that after graduating in nursing, she initially planned to specialize in ophthalmology. About a year into her studies, she came across a job posting from Hanoi French Hospital and applied. During the interview, one comment changed everything: the interviewer told her, “You seem very suited for neonatal care.”
And so, fifteen years have passed. With her small hands, gentle demeanor, a touch of dreaminess, and a deep love for newborns, Ms. Tuyen has grown more devoted to her profession day by day. She always reminds herself to keep learning to do her job well. “For us neonatal nurses, loving the job is essential. When you choose this path, it means you love it. Only when you truly love it can you give your whole heart to caring for these babies.”
Fifteen years ago, she was a young woman not yet used to holding a baby. Now, she has cared for thousands of little ones. Some of those once nestled in her arms are now running, playing, and even returning with their parents to visit “Ms. Tuyen.”
She says she doesn’t wish for anything more—just seeing the babies healthy is enough.
