Who’s responsible for my friend’s failed marriage

Mai has been my best friend since junior high school. Mai was a popular girl and was well respected by both teachers and students for her leadership in the school's activities. At grade 7, her parents got divorced. It was her mother’s third divorce by the time and she decided to stay single after the …

My life in landmark events

1989: I was born in a small village in Vietnam. My mum was a teacher in the local secondary school. My dad worked in a national park 20km away from home so he had to live there and only came home at the weekend by bicycle. My sister was 3 years older than me but …

My mum’s runaway from an arranged marriage

In the 1960s, the common time for a woman to get married in the countryside of Vietnam was after she finished high school, often before the age of 19. My mum was the only child in her family, and one of the few ones in the village, to attend college. Although the school fee was …

My two luckiest friends

I have two friends that are said by many people to be the luckiest humans in the world. They are both from very wealthy and happy families. They are smart, beautiful, and lovable. One girl went to an international university in Vietnam and the other studied abroad, both fully funded by their parents.They are both …

The traditional dating pattern in Vietnam

A relationship often starts with the man approaching the woman he likes and trying to ask her out. He does so by giving her flowers, making surprise gifts, messaging her days and nights, and even by saying "I love you". At this stage, no response is required from the woman. She can just enjoy the …

A wife must get on her husband’s bike, no matter how drunk he is

Chi is my cousin's wife. She got married at the age of 21 three years ago and now has 2 kids. As her husband is the only son of my aunt and uncle, she moved in with the in-law family to help look after his parents. My mom and I visited the family in the …

A good manager might not be a good waiter

Our office is at a suburban area of the city so we dont have many choices for lunch. One of our frequent places is a sandwich house which is clean, reasonably priced and has a good selection of food. Everytime I go there, I am happy with the sandwich and at the same time unhappy …

“Cái ngàn vàng”

Đã rất nhiều lần tôi đọc những câu chuyện tình buồn của các bạn gái, mà mẫu số chung là người yêu hờ hững lạnh nhạt thậm chí đòi chia tay chỉ một thời gian ngắn sau khi trao “cái ngàn vàng”. Họ khóc lóc, hối hận vì đã nhẹ dạ không giữ lấy cái …

Ăn rau sai

Mình-24 tuổi, loay hoay trong bếp với mớ rau cải cúc vì không biết nhặt ra răng, trong khi 2 vị cứu tinh-mẹ thì đi chúc tết còn ông đang bận tiếp khách ngoài nhà. Đồng minh duy nhất là thằng em họ bốn tuổi, lon ton quấn quanh chân đòi chị chơi cùng. Đáp …