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“Dinner is an important way to connect the family mem-
bers together and an opportunity for them to share a meal
and talk together after a hard day,” Hoa says.
When this tradition is lost, it can lead to conflict and trou-
ble. In contrast, in families which usually have meals together,
all obstacles and difficulties are shared and solved, children
have good marks in school and parents are improving their
contribution to society.
For young couples, however, earning money takes pri-
ority. Meanwhile children are losing their habit of sharing
things with their parents and are instead deeply absorbed in
electronic games or the internet. The gap between children
and parents is widening.
Hoa says that parents must improve their ability to talk
with children. “The most efficient way to control our children
is know how to talk with them. If we cannot, we are failing in
teaching them how to be a good person for society.”
Dinner is a great opportunity for parents to get an under-
standing of their children and follow their growth. Via family
meals, children will know how to respect other people.
Sharing a meal together is a chance for the elderly and
children to bond. The elderly can teach their children ethical
standards and proper behaviour.
Nguyen Thuy Binh, a 35 year old Viettel worker, says
that happiness can be found when a father and son cook a
favourite dish for the mother on Mother’s day or International
women’s day, even if it is not as delicious as her own cooking.
“These occasions are significant in our busy life and peo-
ple should not ignore them,” Binh says.
KEEPING CUSTOM ALIVE
According to Hoang Thi Mai, a 45 year old woman in Ha-
noi, in order to keep the family meal alive, every member of
the family must sacrifice their own desires and help to prepare
the meal.
Moreover, Mai adds that if the family meals are prepared
well, it will keep the men in the family and stop them from
dining out and drinking, which is not good for their health.
Nguyen Minh Giang, another Hanoian, believes the weak
links between family members, are caused by a lack of com-
munal dining. She therefore struggles to keep her small family
together at meal times.
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A traditional Vietnamese family meal