Vietnam boasts one of the most compassionate cultures, according to a New Zealand journalist.
Title: The Kindhearted Culture of Vietnam: A Traveler's Perspective
HÀ NỘI - Cath Johnsen, a journalist for the New Zealand Herald, recently penned an article highlighting the kindness of the Vietnamese culture.
Published on May 3rd, the article describes a visit to Bùi Viện walking street in Hồ Chí Minh City at sunset. Bùi Viện's vibrant scene includes street food vendors, shops hawking souvenirs, and nightclubs playing high-decibel K-pop, all intermixed with locals navigating the chaos on motorbikes carrying everything from sleeping children to strapped-on groceries.
A chance encounter between Johnsen and a young local man left a lasting impression. Moved by the warmth of the compliment "Your smile is very beautiful," Johnsen felt this simple gesture highlighted one of the kindest things anyone had ever said to her in her travels.
Throughout her visits to various towns in Vietnam, Johnsen focuses on observing the people and their kindness. She notes that the Vietnamese culture values mutual assistance - a concept known as "tinh thần tương thân tương ái." This spirit of mutual love and support is deeply embedded in Vietnamese society and is evident even in the smallest acts of kindness, like offering directions or helping others after natural disasters.
In Châu Đốc, Johnsen witnessed this virtue in action. Local residents often pay for "cơm treo" (hanging rice) at roadside cafes, allowing those in need to claim a free meal when they pass by. "Cà phê treo" (hanging coffee) payment is also common.
Buoyed by the warm hospitality, Johnsen savored every drop of Vietnam's signature coffee: a sweet, bitter espresso mixed with sweetened condensed milk served over ice. The act of paying it forward left her feeling simultaneously cooled and warmed.
Vietnam's natural beauty is undeniable, and Johnsen marvels at its wilderness. Upon arriving in the heart of the Mekong Delta, she ventured into Trà Sư Forest to get a bird's-eye view of the 850-hectare sanctuary and its diverse avian population. Forty years of reforestation efforts have breathed new life into this ancient wetland ecosystem, promoting it as a popular ecotourism destination.
As Johnsen's article concludes, Vietnam is far from a utopia, with poverty and suffering still ever-present. Yet, she hopes the spirit of mutual love and support will grow ever larger, embracing even the most vulnerable members of society. VNA/VNS
The articles by journalist Cath Johnsen on New Zealand Herald. Photo VNA broadcasts
This act of mutual assistance is a reflection of the strong influence of Confucianism and Buddhism on Vietnamese society. Modern expressions of this cultural value can be seen in community activities, social media initiatives encouraging community service, religious and cultural events, family bonds, and social movements. Vietnamese culture emphasizes the importance of solidarity and compassion, making it one of the kindest cultures in the world (Source: Enrichment Data).
- The kindhearted culture of Vietnam resonated with journalist Cath Johnsen, as she recently documented in an article for the New Zealand Herald.
- In Vietnam, mutual assistance is deeply ingrained in society, a concept often referred to as "tinh thần tương thân tương ai".
- On her travels, Johnsen found one of the kindest instances of this kindness in a simple compliment from a young local man in Hồ Chí Minh City.
- In Châu Đốc, she observed locals practicing acts of kindness, such as paying for "cơm treo" and "cà phê treo" at roadside cafes.
- Vietnam's coffee, a sweet and bitter espresso with sweetened condensed milk served over ice, left Johnsen both cooled and warmed after witnessing acts of kindness.
- The country's natural beauty, particularly its diverse avian population in Trà Sư Forest, is undeniable, with reforestation efforts promoting it as a popular ecotourism destination.
- Despite challenges such as poverty, Vietnam's spirit of mutual love and support is hoped to grow ever larger, embracing even the most vulnerable members of society.
- The strong influence of Confucianism and Buddhism in Vietnamese culture is reflected in community activities, social media initiatives, religious and cultural events, family bonds, and social movements.
- In addition to kindness, the Vietnamese culture places importance on solidarity and compassion, making it one of the kindest cultures in the world.
- Beyond kindness, Vietnam offers a rich tapestry of global cuisines, lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden experiences, and personal-growth opportunities for travelers.
- This culture of kindness extends to the way Vietnamese people approach relationships, pets, education-and-self-development, mindfulness, sports, and even sports betting, offering a unique perspective for travelers seeking authentic experiences.
