Hero Phạm Tuân Presents National Record to 7-Year-Old Vietnamese Australian International School (VAS) Student for Publishing a Full-Color Comic Book
On the morning of 20 January 2026, Hero, Lieutenant General and cosmonaut Phạm Tuân, together with representatives of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings), officially awarded the School Record Certificate to Phan Ngọc Thư Hà (pen name IVANKA), born in 2018. She is a Year 2.B5 student at Vietnam Australia International School, Ba Thang Hai Campus.
With the creation and publication of the book “First Day at School – Ha the Cat’s School”, published by The Gioi Publishing House in 2025, Thu Ha became the youngest student in Vietnam to create and publish a full color comic book at the age of only 7.
Hero, Lieutenant General and cosmonaut Phạm Tuân (centre), together with representatives of the Vietnam Records Organization and Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha, Principal of the VAS System, (second from right), presents the School Record Certificate to Phan Ngọc Thư Hà.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Le Thang Loi, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Office of the Ministry of Education and Training and Director of the Southern Center for Education and Training Development, along with leaders of the Vietnam Records Establishment Council, members of VAS’s Board of Management, representatives from the Department of Culture and Society of Dien Hong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, and many distinguished guests.
Mr. Le Thang Loi - Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Office of the Ministry of Education and Training, and Director of the Southern Center for Education and Training Development, shared remarks at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Ngoc, General Secretary of the Vietnam Records Establishment Council and representative announcing the official decision, shared that the School Record awarded to Thu Ha not only recognizes an exceptional achievement in terms of age in the field of full color comic creation and publishing, but also serves as a vivid testament to the discovery, nurturing, and honoring of creative talent from an early age, where innocent strokes can open up a world rich in imagination and emotion.
Sharing her creative inspiration, Thu Ha said that the book originated from a very simple and familiar moment. During the end of term celebration and summer break of her Preschool at Vietnam Australia International School, she received a small stuffed toy. She named it “Ha the Cat” and developed a special affection for the character. From then on, the stuffed cat became her close companion, accompanying her in many daily activities and later entering her comic world as the central character.
With pure emotions combined with her artistic talent, Thu Ha has created a comic world with a distinctive personal style, centered on the character Meo Ha, leading readers into stories that are warm, lively, and full of childlike charm.
The work was completed throughout the summer holiday, from June to August 2025, with a total of 52 pages including the cover, presented in full color comic format.
Beyond storytelling, the book also conveys positive values about friendship, family, a love of learning, and sharing, making it suitable for young readers while still carrying meaningful educational value.
The book “First Day at School – Ha the Cat’s School” was written and illustrated by young author IVANKA Phan Ngoc Thu Ha. Photo: VietKings.
Hero, Lieutenant General and cosmonaut Phạm Tuân engaged in a sharing and exchange session with students of Vietnam Australia International School (VAS).
