Can you share about your current life and your family in France?
I live very simply. I like simple things. Luxury does not seduce me and fortunately, Paris has many elegant and simple beauties.
I'm just like everyone else, sometimes working, sometimes taking care of housework, sometimes meeting friends. If there's anything I value living in Paris, it's the creative atmosphere everywhere, art activities taking place in every corner and non-stop.
Just don't be lazy, we always have something to listen to and learn. Creative freedom is a precious gift that Paris gives to its residents.
Now, after a long journey, what is the meaning of family for you?
Folk people have the concept of "couple", I think family should be viewed in this way.
Parents, siblings, spouses, children are all "friends" that nature sends to each person to go together on a long journey throughout human life.
The concept of "you" requires moderateness, sufficient respect, righteousness, and lasting sharing. I like to see family in this way so as not to put too much burden on each other and be fair to each other's contributions in life.
I am very afraid of injustice in the family, the type of daughter-in-law who will "have to be like this" while daughters do not have to live like that. Or, husbands have to earn money at all costs, parents have the right even if sometimes it is unreasonable... I think when looking at each other as "friends" in some sense, life will be comfortable.
She is the daughter of the late Professor, People's Artist (NSND) Dinh Quang, former Deputy Minister of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), former Rector of the University of Theater and Cinema. In the family, is she like her father or mother?
I think I am like my father in terms of thinking about life, like my mother in terms of behavioral skills.
Can you share the Vietnamese imprints that have been built in your very "international" family environment?
I am lucky because my parents' families are very harmonious and love each other. My siblings are always close, trust each other, there is no distance between daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
My children see that and cherish it very much. I want my children to grow up to be like that too.
After so many years away from Hanoi, if asked about what you love and miss most when leaving Hanoi, how would you answer?
I often go home, moreover, now there is the Internet, so the feeling of missing is intense, the feeling of "going and not knowing when I will return" - no longer like in the old days, like in 1998-1999 when I first went to France.
Now the world is flat, so longing can also be easily filled with "video calls".
However, sometimes I still miss them very much. I miss the lands I passed through and miss myself at that time more than I miss Hanoi. I miss the Northwest, Central Highlands, Cu Lao Cham Island, Yen Island, I miss Dak Lak, Kon Tum...
The further I go, the more I see that the nature of our country is extremely beautiful, if it were to develop in a balanced way to make the nature a little more pristine - it would be even more beautiful.
Have you ever discussed family matters and family views with French men? What do they share and what do they love most about Vietnamese culture and character?
I think Vietnamese women "knock down" Western men probably because of their intelligence and resourcefulness. They are smart enough to know the freedom of thought and way of life. They know how to take care of things without complaining.
Ah, but those are women of my generation, I don't know much about the next generation. My friends are all old men.
Thank you for your sharing.
