A photo with the caption ‘Viet Nam Oi! Truong Giang Ve Que An Tet’ (Oh Vietnam! Truong Giang returns home for Tet) evokes the joyful exclamation of a Vietnamese person far from home. However, it was actually shared by Jean Sébastien Grill, a French man whose Vietnamese name is Truong Giang.
He arrived in Vietnam just before the Kitchen Gods' worshipping day (the 23rd day of the last lunar month) to join Hanoians in the tradition of releasing carp.
In the early days of his “return home”, Jean was quite busy. He visited various places with his family, prepared several sets of ‘Ao Dai’ for his wife and children for Tet, and participated in the opening ceremony of the Spring Calligraphy Festival at the Temple of Literature, where he was recognised by many people for having become the first foreigner to participate in the festival in 2023.
Jean Sébastien, born in 1982, originally trained as a graphic designer and later pursued acupuncture in traditional Eastern medicine.
In Vietnam, I always receive friendly smiles; Vietnamese people are always ready to help without expecting anything in return.
He married a French woman of Vietnamese origin in 2006, and both fell in love with Vietnam.
“In Vietnam, I always receive friendly smiles; Vietnamese people are always ready to help without expecting anything in return. Many Vietnamese families live together across generations, which is very warm atmosphere," he shared.
In 2015, Jean and his family moved permanently to Vietnam. During this time, a Korean friend introduced him to the art of calligraphy.
Captivated by this unique Asian art form, he decided to learn calligraphy. His journey began with practicing Vietnamese script, and he chose the Vietnamese name Nguyen Truong Giang.
Coming from a different culture, practicing black ink on ‘do’ (poonah) paper was a significant challenge for Jean. He spent a lot of time in his study room to practice writing and grinding ink stick.
To convey value through his writing, he believes that it is not enough to write beautifully; one must also understand the deeper meanings behind the letters. Thus, he reads a lot of books and learns from others to explain the beauty of calligraphy.
One of his teachers, calligrapher Kieu Quoc Khanh (pen name Nguyet Tra), was surprised by Jean's creativity and eagerness to learn.
In the process of deeper integration with the world, Vietnam not only embraces global cultural values but also spreads its traditional cultural beauty to international friends.
In 2021, Jean returned to France due to COVID-19 pandemic, during which he felt a deep longing for Vietnam, which he dearly describes as “home”.
In 2023, after passing preliminary rounds, he won a ticket to join the Spring Calligraphy Festival at the Temple of Literature — an honour of every calligrapher.
Although he did not return for Tet in 2024, he continued to practice calligraphy in France and Belgium, creating works for friends and family.
“For me, practicing calligraphy is a way to cultivate my mind. Additionally, it carries a special meaning of sharing traditional values. Practicing calligraphy at the beginning of the year brings me joy and happiness,” Jean Sébastien stated.
In the process of deeper integration with the world, Vietnam not only embraces global cultural values but also spreads its traditional cultural beauty to international friends.
Stella Ciorra is an English woman with a 30-year attachment to Vietnam. She first visited the country in 1995, when Vietnam faced numerous difficulties. She recalls the muddy roads during her backpacking trips, during which she met friendly Vietnamese people who always tried their best despite difficult circumstances.
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Stella and Vietnamese young people with handmade paper products. (Photo: Vietnam Pictorial) |
After returning to England, Stella found that her heart remained in Vietnam. A few years later, she made the significant decision to return for a long-term stay. She joined the Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH), an organisation founded by foreigners, and was later elected as its vice president and now serves as president.
Although her Vietnamese is not yet fluent, she enjoys speaking the language, which helps her feel closer to Vietnamese life and gain a deeper understanding of Hanoi.
Each year, FVH organises cultural excursions across Vietnam, especially walking tours to explore Hanoi's culture — from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel to the Old Quarter and suburban craft villages. During these trips, Stella often acts as a guide, sharing interesting local stories with participants.
Whenever Hanoi hosts events honouring the charm of Ao Dai, Stella not only enthusiastically participates but also encourages international friends to wear the traditional Vietnamese dress for parades.
Recently, she contributed valuable insights at a seminar on preserving and promoting traditional Ao Dai, which was organised in Hanoi by the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Department of Culture and Sports, Dinh Lang Viet (Vietnamese Communal House) Club, and the Hoan Kiem Lake Management Board.
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Martin Rama has a special love for Hanoi. (Photo: Vietnam Pictorial) |
Martín Rama, a Uruguayan economist, is also attracted by the charm of Hanoi's streets. He loves the old streets, balconies, windows, and vibrant sidewalks of Hanoi.
He has pended two books on Hanoi, including ‘Hanoi Promenade’, published in 2014, and ‘For the Love of Hanoi’, published in 2023. The former won the Bui Xuan Phai Award 2014, which is held annually to honour foreign friends with significant contributions to Hanoi and Vietnam.
Many foreign friends are contributing to spreading the beauty of Vietnamese culture in various ways. In today's digital age, one of the fastest ways to share is through online platforms.
Saleem Hammad, a Palestinian born in 1993, has been promoting the images of Vietnam through his personal YouTube channel after living here for 13 years.
He won first prize in a Vietnamese language speaking contest that was organised in 2015 by Hanoi University’s Vietnamese language department where he studied. With his heartfelt love for Vietnam and proficient use of the Vietnamese language, Saleem surpassed numerous contestants from countries such as France, Germany, Russia, Japan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Laos to claim victory.
He was appointed as a Peace Friendship Ambassador for Hanoi in 2019, showcasing his deep connection with Vietnam.
Saleem's YouTube channel was established out of his passion for Vietnam. He actively collaborates with other YouTubers to promote Vietnam to international audiences. He has also supported many renowned YouTubers in creating videos that highlight Vietnam's history, culture, and people.
As Vietnam integrates more deeply into the global community, these foreign friends play a vital role in sharing and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage, demonstrating how traditional values can resonate across borders.
