A simple life, yet filled with laughter, in a traditional highland home.
Dinh Tuan•June 28, 2024 10:10
Despite the hardships of life, many homes in the highlands are still filled with love, sharing, and happy laughter.
In the highlands, it's not uncommon to find families with three or four generations living together happily, filled with laughter. Among them is the family of Mr. Lo Minh Nguyen (born in 1942), residing in Nhan village, Thach Giam town, Tuong Duong district – one of the typical examples of a four-generation family. The extended family still lives together under one roof, and the family atmosphere is always warm and harmonious. Mr. Nguyen shared: "Currently, my wife and I live with our second son and his wife, our grandson and his wife, our granddaughter, and our great-grandson. I always make sure to teach our children and grandchildren to behave respectfully and to be filial to their grandparents and parents. We always treat everyone equally in the family, without discrimination between biological children and daughters-in-law. That's the factor that keeps our family peaceful and happy." In the photo, Mr. Nguyen and his wife are taking care of their great-grandson. Photo: Dinh TuanMs. Vi Thi Sen has been married into Mr. Nguyen's family for 30 years, yet she has almost never once caused her parents-in-law any distress. When asked about the secret to her happy family, Ms. Sen said: "My husband and I always discuss and exchange ideas about everything, and then ask for their opinion before doing anything. Living with my parents-in-law, we've never had any conflicts or disagreements. I always treat my mother-in-law like my own mother and am truly grateful to her." (Photo: Dinh Tuan)"For generations, many people have thought that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law can never get along. However, after more than 10 years of being a daughter-in-law, living under the same roof with my parents-in-law, my family is very harmonious and always full of laughter. My mother-in-law even loves me very much, treating me like her own daughter," said Ms. Vi Thi Hien from Ban Can, Tam Thai commune. In the photo, Ms. Hien is being guided by her mother-in-law in embroidering brocade. Photo: Dinh TuanMs. Lo Thi Binh (66 years old), residing in Nhan village, Thach Giam town, Tuong Duong district, said: “With three generations living together, conflicts can easily arise if we don't behave skillfully. Therefore, my family always reminds our children and grandchildren to respect and be polite to their grandparents and to work together to build a harmonious and warm family. Thanks to this, my parents-in-law both lived very long lives. My mother-in-law is 104 years old this year, but she is still mentally sharp and helps me pick vegetables and do light chores around the house every day. My father-in-law passed away last year at the age of 107.” In the photo, Ms. Lo Thi Binh and her mother-in-law prepare lunch. Photo: Dinh TuanThis is a simple, everyday scene, not uncommon in highland families. Photo: Dinh TuanAn elderly Thai man plays the flute while his wife sings folk songs, strengthening family bonds. Photo: Dinh TuanA mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Khơ Mú ethnic group pound rice together. Photo: Đình Tuân.For people in the highlands, family happiness is very simple; it's just acts of love that come from the heart and the sincerity of family members. Photo: Dinh Tuan
