In the midst of Cambodia’s teeming streets, a figure of remarkable stature and influence towers over the bustling crowd, An Vanda. Standing tall at 2.02m, Vanda recently caught the media’s attention when he was pictured alongside Hun Manet, a future prime ministerial candidate for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) at an informal meeting with garment factory representatives.

“I reckon I’m rather tall for Cambodia … but next to him, I feel quite different,” Manet commented in a video that attracted 2.6 million views on his official Facebook page.

However, despite his towering height, Vanda has navigated a life marked by hardship, tackling financial and emotional challenges resulting from the lack of parental support for him and his two siblings.

His pursuit of studying abroad has been riddled with personal tragedy. Orphaned at an early age, he had to forge his path alone.

“My father passed away when I was between 2 and 3. I can’t remember his face or how tall he was, and my mother died when I was in my teens,” he revealed.

Faced with the daunting choice of finishing school or dropping out, Vanda’s story could have taken a different turn. But his perseverance prevailed. He secured a role as a compliance supervisor at a garment factory after earning his finance degree. His dedication in this position paved the way for him to pursue his education.

Despite a demanding eight-hour shift at a factory in Kampong Cham province, Vanda dedicates three hours each day to learn Chinese. This diligence rewarded him with a scholarship for a master’s degree in international finance in China, an opportunity that will take him away from Cambodia as he embarks on this new academic journey in September.

“What has driven me to persevere is self-motivation and the encouragement of those around me, as well as the support of my teachers,” said the 28-year-old.

This moment symbolises more than academic achievement; it encapsulates his triumph over adversity and his unwavering resolve to create a brighter future for himself and his motherland.

Vanda envisions utilising his knowledge to tackle societal challenges and contribute to Cambodia’s socio-economic development.

“My goal is to leverage my knowledge for the betterment of our nation’s progress,” he said.

His past is marred by the absence of a family with whom he could discuss his troubles, but in his later teens, Vanda found strength in his extraordinary height. He found his unique stature a source of interest and began to gain confidence, participating in activities such as basketball and karate.

“I may have the physicality for basketball, but my true ambition is to pursue a career in karate,” he confessed.

Vanda’s striking height impressed not just the delegation at the June 18 gathering but Manet himself.

“In anticipation and with respect, I looked forward to meeting him and creating lasting memories with our pictures together. Many of our colleagues were excited to take pictures with him too,” Vanda recalled.

His remarkable stature, however, does pose certain challenges. Finding suitable apparel, footwear and accessories is a constant battle. High-quality, tailor-made or imported goods are often necessary, leading to substantial investments.

“I can’t rely on ready-made items, but require high-quality products customised for my size. Thus, every purchase requires a significant investment,” said Vanda.

Yet these hurdles only fuel his determination further, as he boldly confronts the obstacles in his quest for success.