1)What kind of family do you come from ?
I come from a traditional family of 4 including my parents, brother
and me. We live in 3-bedroom apartment in district Tan Phu.
2)What do your grandparents do ?
My grandparents have a store trading rice, sticky rice and some types of beans. 3)What does your father do ?
My father has a business trading fertilizer. He starts work at 7
every moring and doesn’t finish until 6 in the evening, sometimes
my father goes to other provinces for work trips. 4)What does your mother do ?
My mother is an office workers, so works regular hours from 8-5.
She works for school, she is an accountant. 5)What does your brother do ?
My brother is an unemployed as he is still studying for a degree to get a good job. 6)What do you do ?
I am a freshman at Hoa Sen University. My major is E-commerce. 7)What is your father like ?
My father is punctual because he is a businessman, so he takes punctuality very seriously. 8)What is your mother like ?
My mother is hospitable as she always prepares hearty meals for the guests coming to visit us. 9)What is your brother like ?
My brother studies hard, so he has won many medals in math and
he always reads books in his spare time.
10)What do you often do with your family ?
My family often prepares dinner and eats it together. I often share stories with my brother.
11)Who is the most important to you ?
My brother is very important to me because he always helps me when I am in trouble.
What are the special occasion in Vietnam ?
Well, there are a various special occasions in Vietnam taking place from
the beginning to the end of the year.
First of all, we have king Hùng’s day, Women's Day, April 30th,
Children’s Day, September 2nd, Teacher’s Day, and finally Lunar New Year occasion. When is ? King Hùng’s Day Well, how shall I put it ?
I doesn’t take place exactly the same time or day every year. This is a
typical Vietnamese holiday, so it is celebrated on the lunar calendar, not
the solar one. The day may come in March or April.
When is Lunar New Year ? I’m sure this a very special time.
Lunar New Year is a typical Vietnamese special occasion, therefore, it is
celebrated according to the Lunar calendar, not the solar one the
occasion not take place exactly the same time year after year. In short, it
may come at the end of January or mid February. When is Women’s Day ? It’s on March 8th. When is Teacher’s Day ? It’s on October 20th. When is Children’s Day ? It’s on June 1st.
What is the meaning of each occasion ?
King Hùng’s Day is the day when Vietnamese commermorate the founder king of our country.
Women’s Day is the day when Vietnamese men shows respect and
gratitude to their special women in their lives, for example, their mothers
or wises who have sacrificed for the well-being of others.
April 30th is the day when the country celebrates the reunification of the
north and the south after the long war.
Children’s Day is the day when special care is given to the children and
everyone is reminded that children will become the future owners of the country.
September 2nd is Vietnam’s Independence Day.
Teacher’s Day is the day when students show respect and gratitude to
their teachers for their guidance and sacrifice. Teachers play an
important role in the Vietnamese society and education. They are the
role models for the younger generations.
Lunar New Year occasion is the most important celebration of
Vietnamese. They come back home to reunite with their family no
matter where they live or work. They even invite their ancestors to come
back to join all the celebrations with the family.
What do peeople prepare for it ? How is the day celebrated ?
On March 8th, men and boys do all their best to make their women
happy. They buy gifts, flowers for their mother, wife, sister and female
colleagues. They give all the preferences to the women. They also do
housework and the things they don’t often do the other days to make the women happy.
On April 30th, people usually don’t care much about the political
meaning of the days. Generally, they have 4 day off, many choose to
travel far or go back to their hometown. Others go out for a meal or coffee with friends.
On Children’s Day, the children are given gifts and taken to the zoos or
parks so that they can play games for free or with a special discount. All
the children centers organize special activities and events for the kids.
For Lunar New Year, the preparations 2 weeks before the occasion are
the most interesting ones. They renovate and decorate their houses with
different kinds of flowers, fruits and lights several weeks in advance.
They clean up their ancestors’ graveyards.
They visit and offer new year gifts to their relatives and friends together
with the best wish for new year.
Make bánh chưng and bánh tét, traditional food only eaten on this occasion.
How do people feel when the occasion comes ? How do you feel ?
I have a lot of feelings when the occasion comes, but I often feel
confused. On the one hand, I know that I’m going to reunite with family
and friends in my hometown, but on the other hand, I will have to deal
with the increasing prices of everything, from foods to transportation.
I’m worried. I can’t buy a bus ticket home. It’s an intense competition to get a return ticket. Where do you come from ?
I come from the urban area of Saigon, which is the biggest city with largest population in Vietnam.
What is the weather in your hometown like ?
Vietnam is an S-shape strip of land with the distance of about 3000km
from the northernmost point to the southernmost point, so the weather is
varied in different region. The people in the areas don’t share the same
weather throughout the year. The south is near the equator, so it is hot
and humid all year round even though there are 2 distinct seasons, the rainy season and the dry one.
The rainy season starts in April and ends in September this is the time
when the locals experience daily showers almost every day. However,
occasional heavy downpour may cause street floading, which is quite
inconvenient for people’s lives here.
The dry season lasts from December to April next year. It is hot and
sunny from the early morning to late afternoon. The people here suffer
from the scorching heat of the season, when going out, most of them
have to protect themselves with makes, gloves, sunglasses, sunblock
skirts and the like. It is hot and humid, you may feel sticky and uncomfortable.
What are the places to visit in your hometown ?
The independence place should not be missed because this is considered
to be the white house of south Vietnam before 1975. Its architecture
attracts those who care about culture, history and architecture.
The museum of war remnants, where you can feel the brutality of wars
and treasure the place we have now.
Are there any special dishes or local specialties ?
Saigon is famous for street foods originating from all over the country
and even the world such as banh mi, pho, broken rice with grilled pork chop,... How about special events ?
In Vietnam, New Year's Eve is also a time of great interest to many
people. In particular, New Year's Eve fireworks is one of the big events
that many people are interested in.
Can you tell me a little about the environment ?
The air is heavily polluted because this is the city with the largest population in the country.
How are the people in your hometown ?
Everyone is very friendly and approachable. In my hometown you can
easily find a relationship of friends.
What do you miss the most when living far from your hometown ?
I will miss my friends and my favorite foods when I'm away from hometown.
What is the media ? What do the media consist of ?
The media means are the main ways that convey information to a great number of people.
Media including radio, television, newspapers, magazines, internet.
What do you call those who watch TV ? Are TV viewers. How you often watch TV ?
Rarely, instead I watch movies on the internet through hi-tech devices
such as laptop, computer, smartphones, which is more convenient and
private. I don't have to care about whether it is annoying or not. When did you last watch TV ?
The last time I watched TV was 3 month ago during a trip to Nha Trang,
I watched a football match on TV with my friend.
What sorts of things do you usually watch on TV ?
I usually watch movies on my laptop instead of TV because it's
convenient and I can watch it whenever I have free time.
What are popular programs in your country ?
It depends. Different groups like different things, but at the moment the
must be comedies and music contests. Those shows attract viewers of
different ages, especially the young audience.
Why do you think some TV programs are popular ?
Well, I would say simply because they meet the audience’s needs.
People are so stressed with their work and lives, so they want to watch
something fun and relaxing. That’s why comedies become very popular on many channels.
Do you ever watch foreign programs or films ?
I do. I often watch scientific programs of National Geographic and
movies on HBO or Cinemax. Those are great channels for movies.
What programs do you think children should watch ?
Children should watch the programs that are fun, educational, entertaining,..
They should watch anything that is healthy for their minds. Educational
ones are great ideals. They should also watch the programs that teach
them useful skills in life. For example, how to deal with bad people or
what they should do when they get lost.
Why are reality TV shows so popular ?
People feel like they could become that character and have a chance to appear on TV with celebrities.
Which elementary/middle/high school did you go to ?
I went to Trung Trac elementary school and Lu Gia middle school near
my mother's workplace, but quite far from home. The reason is that there
are no good primary school and middle school near where I live, so I
have to study quite far from home.
I went to Truong Vinh Ky high school, because I didn’t have enough
points to get into the school of my dreams.
How many entrance exams have you taken ? What were they ?
So far, I have taken about 2 important entrance exams. One was high-
school entrance exam and the other was the university entrance exam.
For which exam did you have to do a lot of revision ? Did you have to
receive some extra tuition for them ?
I didn't study anything for the middle school exam because I was quite
playful and lazy at that time. I only really studied for the college
entrance exam and spent most of my time studying on my own instead
of taking extra lessons because I knew self-study is a pretty necessary skill in the future.
When did you enter university ? Who did you consult before you
decided to select the university ?
I entered university 3 months ago, right after I completed the high-
school program. I asked some of my high-school teachers about the
university, read articles about it. I also searched for the reviews of the
students and alumni of the university. What do you do for a living ?
As a student majoring in E-commerce, I hope can do the job in the field of E-commerce.
What do you enjoy most about your work ?
Spending almost all my time on my studies is my duties, and the
thing that I am most interested in is my knowledge and
understanding are broadened day after day. Moreover, I can manage my time properly.
What are the main duties in your job ?
I'm currently in college so I don't have a job yet but I think the
main task in my future job will be to buy and sell products or
services over electronic systems like the Internet and computer networks.
Is there anything you would like to change about your job ?
I wish my salary were higher. That’s my only desire.
What kinds of companies do Vietnamese work for ? What is your choice ?
There are 3 major kinds of organizations people work for. First
of all, state-owned companies, then international companies and
finnally, private ones. Besides, many work as free-lancers.
I am not quite as I am still at University. But I think my choice
might be an international one as I want to have more freedom to
make decisions in the work I do and then I am the person who is responsible for them.
What are the differences between them ?
Well, those who want to have a stable, but not very competitive
job will choose a state-owned company. Those who love to
challenge themselves and can work under pressure will opt for
an international company. Of course, their salaries are a lot more
encouraging. And the people who don’t want to work under
anybody and want to have freedom in their career will work as free-lancers.
What are the key factors in choosing a job ?
Personally, I think most people will mention good salary. But if
you think further, factors such as professional working
environment, chances to learn new things, job security,…
Good co-workers count more when deciding a job because they
will help you when you have difficulties at work and you will
complete it easier when someone helps.
What do you need to prepare for a job interview ?
Many people feel that this part of the process is the most
stressful, but remember that you've done well if you've reached
this stage. First, you must always dress politely when going to
an interview. Second, Most interviews will wrap up with “Do
you have any questions for me?” and you should absolutely have
some questions. Finally, you need to prepare for common interview questions.
Which do you prefer, a job you love or a well-paid one that you don’t really love ?
I like the work I love better for many reasons, the first reason
being that if I choose to follow my passion, the workday will be
less boring when the alarm clock goes off. Second, I will be
motivated to do the work more easily and with more passion.
Finally, I will find my purpose in life.
How many cities have you been to ? Which one is most impressive to you ?
I don’t remember exactly, but I think I have been to around 10 to
11 cities, which are mainly in the south of the country. Among
them, the most impressive one must be Đa Nang, which is
considered to be the most worth living in VN thanks to its ideal
nature, which consists of the beach and mountain. Besides, the
city doesn’t suffer from overpopulation, so it is not as polluted
as it is here. The residents can happily enjoy fresh air. Moreover,
there are a variety of tourist attractions such Ba Na hills, the
Golden Bridge,…and especially a series of amazing beaches.
What are some tourism hubs in VN ? What are they famous for ?
I have been to the north and know that Ha Long Bay is a tourism
hub of the region. It is famous for its natural beauty with the
limestone island in the Bay attracting visitors and tourists from
all over the wolrd. The hub is considered one of the natural wonders.
In the central: the locals are proud of the breathtaking natural
caves here, among which Son Đoong caves in the best-known
one it possesses pristine nature. Many believe this is a paradise on earth.
When do you most like to travel ?
Summer break: long holiday, don’t have to worry about school work or exams.
Do you have a travel agency plan your trip or do it yourself ?
I prefer planning the trip myself because I have the freedom to
make decisions, even though it may be more costly when you
plan our own trip, you don't have to visit their places you are not
happy with, and you can stay at your favorite destinations as
long as you wish to. Besides, you can spend your time the way
you want to without worrying about bothering others in the same
group because of oversleeping, for example.
Which one do you like best, traveling to the beach, the mountain or a city ?
I like to travel in the mountains the most because the mountain
air is very cool and the scenery is very poetic, typically Sapa
here has cool air all year round and a day here has almost all 4 seasons.
Do you like to travel by yourself, with family or with friends ?
I like traveling with friends because it's more comfortable and fun.
Which means of transport would you like to take for far trips to
Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang, train or plane ?
I prefer to take the train for longer trips because taking the train
can see the surrounding scenery, while on the plane you can't
see the surrounding scenery but can only see the clouds.
What kind of air/train ticket do you buy ?
I buy a round-trip flight ticket because it will be cheaper than a one-way ticket.
How long do passengers have to be present at the airport/railway
station before departure time ?
Passengers should arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before
domestic flights and about 120 minutes for international flights.
Passengers should be at the station 1 hour before train time.
What do you need to pack when going to the beach, the mountain ?
If I go to the beach, I will bring swimwear, swimming goggles,
sunglasses, flip flops, beach towels,...
If I go to the mountains I will bring hiking shoes, backpack,
sunscreen, insect spray, first aid bag,…
When you get to the destination, what will you do first ?
If I go to a place I have never been, the first place I go will be
the market because this is where I will have access to the food and culture of that region.
Which accommodation do you prefer, a luxury hotel or a hostel ?
I will choose a luxury hotel because I want to enjoy the trip even though it is quite expensive.
Do you think traveling is important for youngsters when they are
still at university or should they wait until they have a job and can make money ?
In my opinion, traveling will help you expand your knowledge
more and will make you more comfortable and happy after the
trip, thereby helping you study more effectively.
Which neighboring countries do you wish to visit in the near future ?
I will going to singapore and malaysia if I can because these two
have more developed economy than VN.
Do you often take lots of photos ? Do you take photos of the scenery or your own ?
No, I don’t.I rarely take pictures.
What are the things you are eager to do when you are there ?
The first thing I will do is see the scenery around, the second
thing I will try the local specialties finally I will buy souvenirs to give to my loved ones. Plan my own trip
I am planning to go to Sapa for 3 days and 2 nights. Sapa is a
town in Lao Cai province located in the north of the country.
First, I am flying to Hanoi, Hanoi is the capital of my country
and am taking the train to Lao Cai station, it takes about 8 to 9
hours to reach Lao Cai. Second, I am taking a coach from Lao
Cai station to Sapa, it takes about 45 minutes to get there. I am
bringing sneakers, flip flops, sunglasses, parka, scarf, etc. This
place has a cool climate all year round, the average temperature
is in the range of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. Especially, in the
cold winter, there are times when the temperature drops below 0
degrees Celsius, even ice and snow appear. That's why I bring
my parka and scarf. On the first day of coming to Sapa, I am
visiting Ham Rong mountain in Sapa, where I can see the whole
town of Sapa shimmering in the mist. Next I am visiting silver
waterfall, this is the highest waterfall in the Northwest
mountains. Finally I am visiting Sun Plaza Sapa Building this
place with arch architecture inspired by Big Ben clock tower and
also end the first day in sapa. The second day in Sapa I visited
Fansipan this is the highest peak of Vietnam. In the afternoon,
visiting Sapa town surrounded by mountains and forests, in the
middle of the village is a stream, I have the opportunity to
admire the beautiful terraced fields, or immerse myself in the
fields of colorful flowers. Feeling peaceful when dropping your
soul into the scenery here. The last day in Sapa, I am going to
visit Bac Ha market, this is the largest market in the highlands
and is only held on Sundays. Coming here, I understand more
about the cuisine and culture of the mountainous people, and at
the same time enjoy the specialties here such as kitchen buffalo
meat, armpit pork, lam rice, and evil chicken.