These past few days, my neighborhood has been buzzing with children's dance and singing practice sessions. Every evening, the children flock to the neighborhood's cultural center, saying they're practicing for an upcoming ceremony. The adults sit around wondering what kind of ceremony it is, then follow them outside to see what's happening. Under the guidance of the youth union members, the children are dancing rhythmically to the song "Three Sparkling Candles." There's also a play about family, depicting a family meal during a time when parents were busy earning a living. Looking at the banner that reads "Happy Vietnamese Family Day," the adults nod in understanding; it turns out this is the ceremony the children of our poor neighborhood are so excited about.
Vietnamese Family Day was established in 2001 and is celebrated annually on June 28th. That's 22 years – not exactly new, but parents often forget about it. Even in this humble neighborhood with hundreds of households, few remember. If it weren't for the children's antics, perhaps in the adults' minds, that day would still be just an ordinary Wednesday, a day of busy work and struggle, with no concept of a special holiday.
Family connections in this day and age are actually becoming increasingly distant. This gap widens due to generational differences, differing mindsets, and varying living spaces. These factors are causing the bonds to weaken compared to the past.
Nowadays, parents are preoccupied with the hardships of making a living, especially in fast-paced cities. After school, children are engrossed in games and other catchy forms of entertainment on social media. As they get older, they'll have their own friends to hang out with and live life according to their age. Or, once they start working and earning some money, they'll have afternoon coffee dates, trips, and not to mention those born in the 90s and 2000s who are more inclined to move out and live independently. As a result, the only connection with family is becoming increasingly distant. A family meal with all members present is sometimes only seen once a month, once a year, or even during Tet (Lunar New Year).
For migrants from all over the country flocking to big cities to make a living, their families are left behind in their hometowns. Life is hectic, and the long journey home makes the word "family" seem immeasurable. Occasionally, they make a few phone calls, lasting only a few minutes. If they use social media, they make a brief video call before rushing back to the hustle and bustle of city life. Even short weekends are impossible to return home for; only during holidays do they make the long journey back. The concept of "family" is remembered, but they have to accept it. Often, a trip home is just for a few days during Tet (Lunar New Year) before they rush back to the city, clinging to the hardships of making a living. Time flows, life flows, and the longing and memories fade away with the daily worries. Eventually, it becomes a habit; the word "family" is tucked away in a corner of the heart, with few opportunities to express it outwardly.
Therefore, Vietnamese Family Day is a reminder of the origins of love, of our physical presence in this world, and simply shows us that, at least amidst the hustle and bustle of life, there is a day to remind ourselves of those two radiant words: Family. Everyone has a family from which they grew up, left home, returned, and will also have to build their own small family. Therefore, the word "Family" is not only sacred like blood flowing in every cell, but also a radiant beauty, like the cultural identity of the Vietnamese people.
The family has always been considered an indispensable "cell" of society, the cradle that shapes and nurtures individuals with good character. A good family leads to a good society, and a good society makes life worth living. And a life worth living sometimes begins with the radiant voices of today's children.
Article by: Tong Phuoc Bao
Illustration photo: TL
