HOUSE / HOME
How easy is it to find a place to live in your country?
Well, it depends on how much money you are able to spend and where exactly you want to live. Of course, if you have the money, it’s very easy to find a place to live. However, house prices have been on the rise in recent years, and it is becoming difficult for young adults to buy their first homes, or even to pay rental prices in some areas, particularly in big cities.
Do you think it's better to rent or to buy a place to live in?
Well, I believe this is up to each individual depending on his or her culture and financial status. In some countries, especially Western countries, most people prefer to rent a house because of their nomadic lifestyle, as opposed to people in the Eastern world who like to buy a house to settle down. In terms of finance, renting a house is definitely cheaper and less annoying since you don't have to pay for property taxes and take care of property documents, the landlord will do that. However, owning a house is much more comfortable for a long-term stay because you don't have to follow any rules or regulations and do whatever you like with your property.
Do you agree that there is a right age for young adults to stop living with their parents?
I cannot agree with that because it really depends on the customs and culture of each country. For the Western world, it's very common to live independently from parents at the age of 18 or after university graduation. However, it is not the same case for Eastern nations, such as China or Vietnam, in which children can live with their parents as long as they want. And even after marriage, the children and their spouse can live under the same roof with parents.
NEIGHBOURS
(Câu hỏi & câu trả lời: Ms Nhã, nguồn: http://nhatran111.vn/ContentVideo/Detail?ContentID=12357&TypeID=0)
Do you think neighbours are important?
I think neighbours are very important because they are some of the people that you are around every day. If you ever have a problem you may need to ask a neighbour for help, since they are right nearby. If you are new in a place, you can always ask a neighbour where to find something. And they are also right there if you are in danger and knowing they are there might make you stronger or less afraid.
What are the qualities of a good neighbour?
I think the most important quality of a good neighbour is friendliness. For example, saying "Hello" when you see each other is a good quality. I often speak to my neighbours and try to be friendly because one day I might be lonely and sad, and if I have been friendly to my neighbours they will be friendly to me and cheer me up. I also like for my neighbours to be patient and honest. If I make noise and disturb them I would like them not to get angry but to just tell me that the noise is bothering them. I also think neighbours should be polite and not disturb each other unnecessarily.
Now that most people watch a lot of TVs, how do you think this has affected relationships with neighbours?
I think TV watching has had a very bad effect on the relationships between neighbours. In the old days, people would go out for a walk in the evening or sit outside their houses. They would make friends and keep up with what was happening in their neighbourhood. But now, many people just plop down in front of the TV in the evening and are ‘couch potatoes’. Having this kind of habit keeps people from being able to build close relationships with their neighbours and even members of their own.
Do you think it's important to teach children how to have good relations with neighbours?
I think it is important for children to be polite to neighbours. If your children offend your neighbours then it is hard for you to have a good relationship with your neighbours because they will be upset by what your children have done. One thing that is important for children to learn in life is how to relate to others. It is actually a good opportunity for them to learn this in their interactions with the people they live close to, relate to.
How has the relationship between neighbours changed over the last 20 years?
I think that 20 years ago people cared more about each other. I think that neighbours saw themselves as a kind of group to help each other. But now with so much violence and dishonesty in the world today, I think many people are afraid to get involved with others. They don't know if they might be taken advantage of or get in trouble in some way. However, I think that inside, people want to find friends and they want to love. As Mother Theresa said, "Everyone, no matter what colour or creed wants to love and be loved." I believe that even though we may not be perfect, I think we all would like to live harmoniously with our neighbours and others around us.
Community
What are some of the qualities of a good community?
I think the most important quality of a good community is to be unified. That doesn't mean that every single person has to think exactly the same thing, because that is not possible. But I think they should all have the same ideals. In other words, to be compassionate and concerned about each other, to want to be honest and trustworthy. I know this sounds idealistic, but if you only want to better yourself and live to make yourself rich or more comfortable, you soon find that nothing makes you happy anymore. But if you can incorporate giving into your lifestyle then you do not lose the joy of living.
In Vietnam, are there any facilities for improving relations between neighbours?
Well, there are some but not very many. In the old days, the people in Vietnam simply had time, and this helped to facilitate relations between neighbours. Spending time really means the most in almost any relationship. If you spend the time to talk or listen, that goes far to build good neighbourly relations. Of course, having a place to go to mix and mingle with people your ownage also helps, you can see these facilities springing up here in Vietnam.
HOMETOWN
Why do people have a very strong bond with their hometown?
I think people have strong ties with their hometown because that's where their loved ones stay, such as family members, neighbours, friends, teachers. Also, there are numerous memories they have with that place when they grow up. For example, streets that they go to school every day, grocery shops that they visit frequently to buy things for mom.
In what ways can you improve your hometown?
Since my hometown has the highest population density in Vietnam, garbage disposal is the biggest problem, especially plastic waste. Therefore, my family and I are always aware of reducing the amount of our domestic waste. We use glass straws instead of plastic straws. We use reusable bags and containers when we buy items or food and drinks at shops to avoid plastic packaging. If other families do the same, it would be a significant contribution to protect the environment.
Some people want to live in their hometowns for the rest of their lives. Why?
I think those who prefer lifelong stay in their hometown because they have no motivations to get out of their comfort zones. The place they have grown up with has their familiar surroundings with close neighbours, friends and relatives. Migrating to a new place means they have to start everything all over again and that's somewhat tiring and risky for them. This preference for living in one place all the time is common to Eastern people, especially Vietnam.
What is the main reason for liking a hometown other than the fact that you were born there?
I think another contributing factor causing the ties of someone with their hometown is the feelings one has towards that place. Those feelings and emotions derive from everything they have been through, and all the people they have met. Hometown is special to us not simply because that's where we were born, but because the feelings we have for that place.
