… has littlest things but considerable cultural experiences. Because this time I know, I will go far.

The only way to go real far is to carry things that are most essential: some clothes, some shoes, one kindle with all books on the shelf but in digital files, passport, and the home culture I have been soaking in for my whole life – the most important element that makes up my soul.

As a student and a minimalist, I am less fond of the idea of giving gifts and souvenirs to people. Instead, I am much more into the idea of telling them stories about me and my country. By doing so, I sometimes make friends, usually receive a piece of other culture in return, and always bring my home spirit a bit further.

Vietnam to the Western world is maybe just a country somewhere in Asia that share same appearance and type of state with China. A country that was once under France’s colonial rule, later on was an important part of the proxy war between two most powerful nations.

Vietnam to me is home. It has soul, culture, custom and tradition.

Anh-Hoang

However, Vietnam to me is home. It has soul, culture, custom and tradition. Despite a lot of differences, Vietnam and Germany have almost same size of territory with similar topography that made up of rivers, mountains, jungles, plains and sea. We also have same latin alphabet, same way to celebrate the biggest traditional festivals: Christmas and Tết (Vietnamese lunar new year) and – most importantly – same love for our countries.

It’s easy to highlight differences, but let us consider the similarity between the peoples, culturally and humanly. It’s evident to discriminate, but let us find out the resemblance between two nations, respectfully and diplomatically.

Exactly with that motto, I am going to present about my country to german secondary students, regarding the project “Europa macht Schule” by DAAD. Used to be a German student in Vietnam, I had endless talks with fellow students and teachers about Germany. However, the first time representing my home land with German students sparks in me the pride to be a Vietnamese, the pride to be the connection between two countries, and the pride to be able to take part in the anti-discrimination movement of our generation nowadays. 

Two elderly men walk arm in arm down a street, picture taken in Hanoi, Vietnam.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
A shot from a street in Hanoi, Vietnam. You can see a lighted shop, pedestrians in front of it.
It’s easy to highlight differences, but let us consider the similarity between the people, culturally and humanly. It’s evident to discriminate, but let us find out the resemblance between two nations, respectfully and diplomatically.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang

More about Anh Hoang

Comments

Thanks for sharing the blog it's very useful and informative. You also explained the topic very well.

written by Amara Smith created on

thank you very much for your kind words <3

written by Hoang Anh created on

Write comment

More posts by Anh Hoang

A bench in front of a wall, the sun is shining.
I did not even choose Passau at first, all I thought of was just to come to any place in Germany, so that I can improve my language skills. Just that. In a nutshell, it was not Passau that I chose, but it was me that Passau – the university city that chose me.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Community+3
View of a store decorated for Christmas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Study in Germany gives you the chance to easily travel to other European countries during holiday. I took this picture during Christmas and New Year’s Eve break in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Christmas+4
A scene at the desk in the evening. The light is on.
All of these “was just”, because time in the end was just a few numbers show up on my phone screen after a single tap.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Community+4
A Calendar, notes, clock and laptop on a desk
“How are you? May you blessed with happiness” written in Urdu by a dorm-mate of mine, who is also DAAD scholarship holder for her master at university of Passau.© DAAD/ Anh-Hoang
Blogger Ann smiling into camera.
Blog post written by Anh Hoang
Community+4

In line with this topic

Statue in the courtyard of the Veste Coburg. © Sophie Nagel
Courtyard Veste Statue© Sophie Nagel
Central Germany+11

Coburg

#CastleComplexVeste #BavarianCulture #FranconianSmallTown