Maintaining family tradition in the heart of the city
Amidst the increasingly hurried pace of life in the Capital, when living space is gradually shrinking and the nuclear family model becomes popular, there are still houses that persistently maintain the common lifestyle of many generations. The family of Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thai - Head of Residential Group No. 24, Giang Vo Collective, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi - is one of the few families like that.
For many years, Mr. Thai's family has been continuously recognized by the locality as a "Cultural Family". Not only because of good compliance with policies and guidelines, but also because the family still maintains a "four generations living together under one roof" lifestyle - four generations living together under one roof. This is a family model that clearly shows the blood ties, traditions and family customs, but it is increasingly rare in modern urban life.
According to Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thai, currently the family has 12 members of 4 generations living together in a small collective house at the corner of Giang Vo street. Living space is not too large, but always warm because of the care, sharing and laughter of the members.
Our family always spends time gathering, sharing everyday stories so that generations can understand and be closer to each other. For me, the most precious thing when living in a family of four generations is to break the prejudice that many people are prone to conflict, instead there is sharing and understanding between generations," Mr. Thai shared.
As the head of the family, and also holding the role of Head of the residential group, Mr. Thai always dedicates a lot of enthusiasm to educating his children and grandchildren to preserve traditional values: "Our family always reminds each other to know how to love each other, be considerate, love, and look towards our roots, our homeland. When there are problems, the whole family talks frankly to understand each other better.
Mr. Thai shared that life in a family of four generations is not always peaceful. When many generations live together, differences in lifestyle and concepts are inevitable, especially between young people who are used to modern life and the elderly who preserve old habits. If you lack listening, conflicts can easily arise.
In the role of pillar, Mr. Thai is often the person who stands out to harmonize, choose dialogue and analysis so that members understand and sympathize with each other.
Family is a place to return to, not to compete. Each person just needs to give up a little, and everything will be fine," Mr. Thai shared.
Witnessing society changing from the subsidy period, the days of queuing to exchange coupons until digital technology creeped into each family, Mr. Thai believes that family education plays a key role in maintaining cohesion. Without that foundation, young people are very easily alienated from their roots amidst the fluctuations of modern life.
Eliminate generational gaps with warm family meals
The oldest person in Mr. Thai's family is Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich (born in 1947 - Mr. Thai's mother).
a member of the Former Youth Volunteer Association, who enlisted in 1964 and participated in service during the fierce war years. After the time of smoke and fire, Ms. Bich still often spends time telling her children and grandchildren about the memories of the war, about the sacrifices of previous generations.
I often tell my grandchildren and great-grandchildren about the hard years, about comrades, about the country during the war. That is a way for family members to understand and cherish today's peaceful life more," Ms. Bich said slowly.
For Mrs. Bich, those stories are not only personal memories, but also vivid lessons about patriotism, about the value of peace.
I was taught by grandparents and parents from a young age. Now I pass it on to my children and grandchildren, preserving tradition is also preserving the family's roots. What makes me proud is that the children still regularly spend time listening to the stories and advice of previous generations," Ms. Bich confided.
After the old man passed away a few years ago, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich became even more aware of her role in the family.
I try to understand my children and grandchildren. Every era has its own difficulties. Old people should not impose, but should advise and be a spiritual support for their children and grandchildren," Ms. Bich shared.
While talking to reporters, Ms. Bich said that for a long time many people have wondered why the family does not separate living activities. For her, that is very normal.
Traditional Vietnamese families have many generations living under the same roof. I always guide my children and grandchildren to keep that tradition. Although the space is somewhat cramped, it is in return for affection. Difficult or early or late, brothers still have each other. The house is always happy, rarely lacking laughter. For me, that is happiness," Ms. Bich said.
Nguyen Duc Thien - Mr. Thai's son (born in 2010) - shared that living in a large family brings him a lot of joy.
I cherish family meals the most, because that is when everyone can chat and confide. Every day when I come home from school, seeing grandparents, parents, siblings gathered around the meal tray, I feel light and happy," Thien said.
In that collective house, family meals are considered a "wire" connecting generations. Although each person has a different job and schedule, the whole family still tries to arrange to eat together. For Thien, that is the most precious time of the day, when all generational distance seems to be erased.
In the house, a family photo is hung solemnly as a symbol of reunion. Every time he looks at it, Thien becomes more aware of his responsibility to maintain the family home.
Currently, the collective house on Giang Vo street is the residence of 12 members of Mr. Thai's family. Although the space is not large, all members agree that no one intends to live separately.
For them, living together under one roof, cooking together in the same kitchen, gathering around a tray of rice has become a habit deeply ingrained in their subconscious. That bond helps the warmth of the family to always be kept intact, not fading over time.
