I’ve worked in Vietnam since the early 1990s, helping the National Economics University train its faculty members and establish its Business School, then working with Vietnamese colleagues in education, training and consulting.  Each time I visit, I learn more, understand less (!), and appreciate the subtleties and joys of knowing Vietnamese people. 

I’ve had many wonderful experiences but the first time I was in Hanoi for Teacher’s Day, many years ago, was surely one of the most meaningful experiences.  To hear my colleagues talk about taking flowers to their teachers from primary school, to have my current and former students bring me flowers, and to hear and see and feel the reverence that students hold for their teachers was remarkable.  In the United States, alas, we do not celebrate our teachers in such a public way.  And yet, we all can name those teachers who made a difference in our lives – the person who believed in us when others did not, who gave us the confidence we needed at a certain time, or worked with us on a concept that was difficult and then experienced our joy when we felt that “Giay Phut Xuat Than,” lightening moment of understanding. 

After being in Vietnam for Teacher’s Day that November so many years ago, I returned to the United States, tried to find my former teachers, and wrote them notes of thanks for what they meant to me. 

Teacher’s Day and my friends in Vietnam have reminded me to appreciate my own teachers each year and, I hope, have helped me become a better teacher myself.   

N.K.Napier, Ph.D.

Professor of Management,

Executive Director, the Global Business Consortium,

Boise State University, Idaho (USA)

Prof. Dr. Nancy K. Napieris Professor of International Business and Executive Director of the Centre for Creativity and Innovation at Boise State University.  She managed Boise State’s nine year involvement in an $8.5 million capacity building project at the National Economics University in Hanoi, Vietnam, funded by the Swedish International Cooperation Development Agency and USAID.  Her most recent books are Insight: Encouraging Aha! Moments for Organizational Success and The Creative Discipline: Mastering the Art and Science of Innovation.

Her articles appear in such journals as Creativity and Innovation Management, Journal of Management Psychology, International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, Journal of Management Inquiry, Human Resource Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Management Studies, and Journal of International Business Studies.    She is also co-creator and host of Idaho Business Matters, a weekday radio program on NPR News 91.