Vĩnh is a seventh-grade student whose disruptive nature and disregard for studying has greatly frustrated his parents and the school staff alike. When all the teachers end up refusing to take Vĩnh in out of fear of having to deal with his notorious tantrums, only a young teacher, Mrs. Hồng Vân, welcomes the boy into her class with open arms.

During the American bombings in 1972, a group of workers remain to protect a power plant in the north of Hanoi.