Learning from Excellence: Hoa Sen University Students Train with Award-Winning Bartender Nguyen Thanh Quang

From classroom theory to newsroom reality, Hoa Sen University students honed their interviewing skills at the Tuoi Tre News office with Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang, an internationally acclaimed bartender and a former student of Saigon Tourism College. Held as part of the Interviewing Skills course and the cooperation agreement between Tuoi Tre News and Hoa Sen University, the session allowed students to immerse themselves in a real newsroom environment. Through direct interaction with a distinguished guest, they refined their interviewing techniques while gaining authentic industry insights.

The lifelong learning journey of a talented bartender

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang, an alumnus of Saigon Tourism College, has built an impressive career in the bartending industry. Among his notable achievements is securing First Prize at the Flor de Cana Sustainable Cocktail Challenge 2023, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.

Additionally, he was awarded the champion title at the SIP Supernova Competition, represented Viet Nam at the Asia Pacific Finals in Shanghai, and secured another distinction by winning the Havana Challenge.

Furthermore, in April 2026, he will represent the Asia-Pacific region at the Global Havana Club International Competition in Cuba.

During a two-hour interactive session, he instructed HSU students in preparing Margarita and B52 cocktails, while sharing fascinating stories behind each beverage. Then, they practiced interviewing him while enjoying hands-on experience mixing and tasting the drinks, fostering both skill development and interactive learning.

The environment became highly engaging as students posed questions throughout the session. Reflecting on his journey, he shared that he was born and raised in Ben Tre, a land known for its hardworking people and rich tradition of craft villages.

“I originally set out to be a chef, but when I discovered the world of cocktails, I found my true calling in Bartending. Then, I worked at the Lam Son bar at the Park Hyatt hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for over two years. My mission in bartending is to keep learning, to tell the stories of Viet Nam’s unique ingredients, and to build bridges between the bartending community, culture, and media, connecting friends both locally and internationally. Bartenders are more than someone who mixes drinks; we guide customers through a journey of flavors, stories, and experiences. If the kitchen is the heart of a restaurant, the bartender is the spark that keeps the fire alive behind the bar. ‘Keep learning, because life keeps teaching us’ is my favorite slogan”, he noted.

Experiential Learning

Before the interview, students received guidance from reporters at Tuoi Tre News on the workflow, techniques for crafting effective questions, and best practices for approaching and engaging with the interviewee.

Following the theory session, students transitioned to the practice room to conduct live interviews.
Many praised this “experiential learning” approach as hands-on and extremely effective.

Hoan Vy, an HSU student, found the interview practice session at the newspaper office engaging and enjoyable, especially appreciating the reporters’ firsthand accounts of their work experiences.

“Unlike classroom lessons, the newsroom training offered real, hands-on experience. It allowed us to practice, reflect, and recognize where we need to improve”, she told.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Quang acknowledged the strong preparation demonstrated by students during the interview practice session at Tuoi Tre News. Drawing on his experience in numerous interviews and talk shows, he observed that HSU students’ questions were “different but interesting”, reflecting thoughtful engagement with the lesson.

He claimed that “The questions today exceeded my expectations. The students’ enthusiasm and the depth of their inquiries encouraged me to provide more detailed responses”.

In addition, attending students were also excited about the guest speaker’s sharing.

Ms. Huynh Ngoc Bao Han, an HSU student, emphasized that: “His stories are engaging and relatable. Via sharing his professional journey and real-life experiences, he helps clarify the lesson content. This gives me the confidence to ask further questions and gain a deeper understanding of his journey”.

With a strong interest in barista training, Mr. Vo Thuan Duy, an HSU student, listened attentively whenever the guest speaker discussed his professional experience.

Sharing the same view, he remarked: “Today’s guest is seasoned, highly accomplished, and talented”.

Similarly, another student remarked, “Through today’s presentation writing skills lesson, we have the chance to meet and discuss with Thanh Quang, the exceptional guest speaker. He spent the afternoon sharing stories about his profession and demonstrating ‘tricks of the trade’ that many would think only exist in movies. In addition, he provided an objective viewpoint for young people interested in this career, offering personal reflections based on his extensive professional experience”.

Source: Tuoi Tre News