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1.Are you a student
or are you working?
Currently I am a senior at Hanoi
University, which is one of the top
schools in the nation. The admission
is incredibly competitive so I do take a
lot of pride being a student here.
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2.What are
you studying?
Well, I am majoring in Accountancy, so as
you can guess, I deal with a lot with numbers
and figures day in, day out. It can be
overwhelming at times, but I`d like to think
that I have a knack for maths and
calculations so it`s okay.
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3.What is the most
difficult part of your
study?
Well, for the most part, I`d say it`s the workload. I
mean there are so many assignments and students
are always under a lot of pressure from deadlines. But
on the other hand, exams are a piece of cake. They
are quite predictable, and I can breeze through them
with a bit of revision.
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4.What do you like
most about your
school?
I guess the aspect I find most enjoyable is the
environment. I mean , I get to study in
English-speaking classrooms and the facilities are
top- notch. I mean all the classrooms are air
conditioned and equipped with projectors. My friends
and teachers are all very nice as well, so all in all it is
a great place to study.
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1.Are you a student
or are you working?
Well, for the past couple of years, I have
been working as an auditor at KMPG, which
is among the top 4 auditing firms in Vietnam.
I love my job, and I think it is an incredibly
rewarding line of work.
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2.What do you like
about your job?
Well, I guess the thing I like most about my job is the
salary. I make what I`d consider is a lucrative income,
which means not only is it enough to cover my bills,
but there is also some extras to spend on whatever I
want. So on paydays I often treat myself to a meal at
a high- end restaurant or splurge on a nice shirt.
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3.What do you
dislike about your
job?
You know, I`d have to say the overwhelming workload
is something I am not a fan of. I mean I have a very
hectic schedule, which means I`m always up to my
ears in deadlines. That leaves me with very little
quality time for my family and friends.. In the future, I
might look into another job that is a bit less stressful.
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4.What do you
do after work?
Well, when we get off work, my colleagues
and I usually hit the bar and grab a couple of
drinks and maybe a bite to eat if we`re
feeling up to it. It`s a great fun and a
fantastic way to chill and unwind.
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1.Are you interested
in robots?
Yes, robotics engineering is something I take
a keen interest in. I actually subscribe to a
journal dedicated entirely to robots called
`The Robot Workshop`. The other day I read
a really interesting article about how robots
can be used to perform surgeries.
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2.Do you like robots
to work at your
home?
I think that is a brilliant idea. I`m quite lazy,
so household chores like cleaning or cooking
are a real hassle. I would prefer to have
those done by a robot. Actually we have a
robotic vacuum cleaner at our house. It`s
truly a life saver.
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3.Do you want to
take a car with robot
is a driver?
Well, you know nowadays self- driving cars are certainly not
a strange topic anymore. A.I has gotten more sophisticated,
and it is more than capable of navigating addresses and
controlling a vehicle. However , I gotta say I don`t really feel
comfortable letting robots take the wheel. I think they are
not 100 % reliable, and may not handle dangerous
situations like a slippery roads as well as a human driver
does. So far now I still prefer to drive manually.
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4.Will robots replace
human beings in the
workplace completely?
Well, these days human labor is being marginalized by
automation in the workplace, especially in manufacturing.
Labor- intensive tasks can be done by machines with ease
and precision. However, there are always things that require
the delicate touch of a human hand. For example, a handmade shirt always has more soul than a machine- made
one.
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1.Do you have
any hobbies?
Well, you know I think everyone has their
own leisure pursuits. Mine is reading. The
one that I` m reading at the moment is ` The
Godfather` by renowned author Mario Puzo.
It is a classic, really. And I really recommend
it.
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2.Is it important
to have a hobby?
Absolutely. I think nowadays life is getting a
little bit more hectic. And people are
constantly under an enormous amount of
stress. So it is important to get into some
kind of recreational activities and just unwind
and forget about life for a minute , you know.
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3.Is it harmful to
spend too much time
on a hobby?
Definitely I think. Spending an excessive time on a
hobby may have an adverse effect on people`s lives. I
mean they may not get enough time to spend for
other priorities like their family or work. For example, it
is really easy for me to lose myself in books and just
neglect all about my deadlines.
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4.What free-time
activities would you like
to try in the future?
Well you know in the future, I would
love to have a crack at extreme sports
maybe sky- diving. It looks like a blast.
And I think I would get a real kick out
of free falling from enormous heights.
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1.What do you
think ` patience` is?
You know so I think patience is a virtue.
Unfortunately, nowadays people re quite
impatient. I mean they wanna get rich quickly
but they don`t want to get their hands dirty.
So, you know they always complain about
how hard life can be.
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2.Do you think
patience is
important?
Definitely I think it is a quality that everybody
should try to learn. And you know , I think the
ability to wait until the timing is right is the
key to success. In fact, a lot of successful
entrepreneurs are very patient people.
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3.Do you think being
patient is an important
part of being polite?
Definitely I think, you know patience is the
indicator of politeness. I mean a polite
person would never chew someone out for
keeping them waiting. I mean if a person is
polite , he or she should be willing to
overlook such you know, minor mistakes.
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4.Have you ever
lost your patience?
Definitely, I think. There have certainly been times
when I lost my cool. For example there was this one
time when I had to wait forever at this popular
restaurant in order to be seated. And then someone
suddenly just cut in line and I remember that really
ticked me off.
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1.What was your
favourite toy in
childhood?
You know, so I was kind of a spoiled kid. And my
parents would pamper me with all kinds of toys, but
my favourite was Power Ranger, action figure. Ian a
big fan of the franchise so when I got the toy , I was
elated. And I actually still have it in my living room
today.
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2.Should parents
buy many toys for
their children?
You know personally I don`t think it is a good
idea. If parents always indulge children and
buy them whatever they want, then kids are
likely to develop a habit of plastering their
parents for things all the time. And you know
I think it is certainly not a good thing.
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3.What are the
benefits of children
playing toys?
Well, people tend to think of toys as being detrimental to
young kids. But I think they can benefit children`s
development in some ways. Educational toys like building
blocks can actually boost children`s creativity and cognitive
development. For example, my brother who used to play
with Legos all the time is actually a really creative person.
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4.What are the
disadvantages of
children playing toys?
You know toys can be times consuming. I
mean when children play with toys they tend
to lose track of time as a result, they might
not have enough time for other things like
studying for example.
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1.What`s the
weather like where
you live?
Well, you know, Vietnam is a tropical country, so as
you can imagine, it`s pretty much hot and humid year
round. However living in, you know, Northern cities
like Hanoi, we do enjoy 4 distinct seasons. So in
summer, the weather can be pretty sweltering but by
contrast in winter temperatures can really dip in.
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2.What type of
weather do you like
best ?
Well I gotta say I`m a kinda cold weather
person. So I love the crisp mornings in the
fall and the chill of winter. Maybe it`s
because we have to bundle up as the
weather turns colder and I love wearing
sweaters and overcoat.
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3.Does the weather
ever effect what you
do?
Well, you know, I gotta say yes, especially when it
rains, so I can`t go out and run my errands if it`s
pouring outside or you know the roads get really
slippery, so it`s dangerous to drive. And even if I do
decide to go outside, l`ll definitely be soaked. So on
rainy days I would just stay at home.
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1.Do you do
Housework at home?
Well, traditional Uzbek thinking dictates that
women are in charge of doing chores but I
still try to help out around the house when I
can. But I am quite clumsy so I only do really
simple tasks, like hanging the clothes or
sweeping the floor.
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2.Did you do
Housework when you
were a child?
Certainly, my parents had a really hectic
schedule when I was small which meant they
were always up to the ears in work and
deadlines. So I tried to give them a hand by
taking care of some light tasks around the
house like doing the dishes, for example
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3.Do you think
children should do
Housework ?
Absolutely, I think learning how to do Housework at an early
age can really benefit children`s development. I mean by
taking care of themselves, they will know how to live
independently which is really important if they want to study
abroad, for example. And besides, studies have shown that
working with hands can do wonders for people`s cognitive
development. So yeah I think children should definitely do
Housework.
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1.Does it rains
much in Vietnam?
I would say, given the fact that Vietnam is a
tropical country, precipitation in Vietnam is
pretty high year round. Unlike other
countries, you know, American for example.
When I lived there, it hardly ever rained.
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2.When does it rain
most in your
hometown?
I think the rainy season is around
spring. In spring, there`re intermittent
drizzles and showers all day. I can`t
stand it. I think I always get filthy
whenever I go out.
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3.Can you remember any
time when it rained
particularly heavily in your
hometown?
Well you know, the first thing that springs to my mind is the
torrential rain in 2008, and you know, it was pouring for
days and all the roads became clogged and people had, like
whole week off . So, you know there were always long lines
of people stocking up on food and other supplies at
supermarket because there was no telling when the rain
was gonna stop.
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4.Does rain ever
effect transportation
in your hometown?
Definitely, I mean whenever it rains, the
roads become extremely congested and
gridlock is common. You know so it`s also
very difficult to catch a cab, for example. So
on rainy days, I would just stay at home or
walk if I want to get somewhere.
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1.Did you often
watch TV when you
were a child?
Definitely. So, when I was a child, my parents would
sit me down in front of the telly and turned on some
commercials , just trying to get me to finish my meal.
And we didn`t have cable TV so a lot of what I
watched was, you know, reruns of the same shows.
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2.Do you often
watch TV recently?
Well, not really. You know, we have cable subscription and
a TV set and all but we don`t really watch TV all that much.
But I guess something that we still watch from time to time
is ` The Voice` which is a really popular singing competition
on telly right now. And you know, it`s all the range in
Vietnam and it`s got a really high viewership.
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3.What kind of TV
programmes do you
like most?
Well, I gotta say for the most part I find competitions
on TV like the` Voice` I was saying particularly
fascinating. But something I also like is quiz shows. I
feel like I really broaden my horizons and learn a
wealth of knowledge about the word around me from
watching you know, people answering and asking
questions.
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1.What do you do
on your holiday?
Well it kind of depends, actually. If I have just a few
days off, I will just stay at home and ,you know,
lounge about and put on a movie or something, you
know. But on the other hand, if it`s an extended
holiday, I will probably go traveling. My favourite
destination is Tashkent because I have some friends
and relatives there.
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2.Do you think holidays
are becoming more and
more important?
Definitely, I think life is very hectic,
and I`m always up to my ears in work
so it is crucial to take a break and just
get away from it all every once in a
while.
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3.What kind of
places do you want
to travel to?
Well, my travel destination of choice is metropolises. I
think it`s greatest place for you to explore a country`s
culture and feast on its delicious food. But from time
to time, I might choose somewhere that`s a little bit
quieter like a nice and secluded beach resort, for
example.
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4.Do you prefer
traveling alone or in a
group?
I would say for the most part I prefer to be
traveling in the company of my friends and
family. I think it is a lot more economical as
you can split the costs of accommodation
and meals. And besides you know the more
the merrier.
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1.Do you like
dancing?
Actually, dancing is not really my forte. I mean I have
no idea how to dance. But when I hear my favourite
song come up on the radio, I can`t help but to move
my body to the music, And I love to watch other
people dance also. I think it is incredibly energizing.
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2.What kinds of
dancing are popular
in your country?
You know I don`t really know what style of dancing is the inthing at the moment. I guess hip-hop has always been kinda
popular. Dance sport is also starting to pick up, and there is
a television show dedicated to this type of dancing. `
Dancing with the stars` I believe is the name of the show. It
really took the world by a storm the first time it was aired.
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3.Is traditional dancing
popular among young
people?
Not really. I think young people kinda view
traditional dancing as kind of obsolete, and
they tend to prefer something more hip and
trendy like hope hop for example. Traditional
dancing, I think, it`s only popular in remote
areas.
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1.Are people`s birthdays
very important in your
country?
Well, you know, I gotta say for the most part to
Vietnamese people, birthdays are kind of a big deal.
They usually throw lavish parties and there is usually
a lot of anticipation before big day. I mean they expect
to get things that are on their wish list and if they
don`t, it`ll be a real letdown.
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2.How do people in
your country
celebrate birthdays?
Well, most people like to throw a party at a posh
restaurant, and usually there`s a lot of eating and
drinking there. But on the other hand, there are also
people who prefer to celebrate their birthday at home
with their loved ones and I guess there is a real sense
of intimacy in doing so.
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3.What did you do
on your last birthday?
Well, last year on my birthday I had a few friends over
at my house and we had a very nice dinner. And then
my friends and I decided to hit the club, and you know
we danced all night long and drank a lot of booze and
I remember waking up to a splitting headache the
next day. But it was a blast though.
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4.Are birthdays more
important for children
or adults?
Well, I gotta say, birthdays mean the world to
small kids. They tend to expect a lot of
presents and at least some kind of
celebration. By contrast, a lot of adults are
probably too busy with work to care about
their birthday.
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1.Do you often
look in the mirror?
Actually I look at myself in the mirror everyday when I
wake up, it is sort of my morning ritual. Because I
work in a professional environment, so I always do my
best to look presentable . So, I have to look in the
mirror to make sure my hair is tidy, my face is
groomed and my clothes are not wrinkled.
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2.Do you often
buy mirrors?
Not really. I mean I only buy new mirror
when mine gets broken. But other than that, I
don`t really buy them. I think girls might,
though. I think they have a habit of replacing
mirrors quite often.
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3.Do you think mirrors
are necessary
decoration?
Well you know, I think mirrors are and can be a useful
decorative item. I think with a beautiful frame, it can nicely
complement a living or a bedroom. Besides in a small
house, it can actually make the space look bigger and in
fact, a lot of restaurants use mirrors to give the guests the
illusion that the space is bigger than it actually is.
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1.What kinds of food
do you particularly
like?
So I gotta say Asian cuisine is my favourite. I`m a big
fan of the bold flavors and spices used in Vietnamese
and Thai dishes. Something I often daydream about
eating in Banh. Da. Cua which is a lip- smacking
Vietnamese noodle soup dish served with crab broth.
It`s every bit as delicious as it sounds.
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2.Is there any food
that you don`t like?
Well, I gotta say there`re definitely a few
things that put me off. For example, Mam
Tom, which is essentially a shrimp paste
incorporated into a lot of Vietnamese dishes
and recipes. And I think it smells awful.
Definitely not my cup of tea.
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3.What kinds of food
are most popular in
Vietnam?
I think street food is the real staple around
here. You can find bustling food stalls all
around Hanoi. And they are my go-to- for a
cheap cheerful meal and gourmet
restaurants are nice and all but you know,
street food is what Vietnam all about.
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4.Do you like
cooking?
Well I`d like to think that cooking is my forte.
I developed a passion for culinary arts when
I first watched the cooking show ` Master
Chef` . And since then I`ve learned a lot of
recipes and I can whip up a dinner really
easily.
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1.Do you play any
indoor games?
Not much, but I guess something I still play
from time to time is Monopoly, which is a
very popular board game. It is originated in
America, and it`s really starting to pick up in
Vietnam. And you know, it`s a lot of fun to
play Monopoly with your friends and family.
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2.Do you prefer to
play indoor game or
outdoor games?
Well, you know I kind of gravitate towards
outdoor activities. You know, personally I`m
quite an athletic person, so I prefer to
engage in, you know physical activities.
Indoor games are fun too, but you know they
are not always my favourite.
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3.What indoor games
did you play when you
were a child?
You know, so when I was small, I would typically just
play video games when I was inside the house. But
every now and then I would go and watch my dad
play ping pong which kinda counts as an indoor
game. I remember it being a lot of fun and I really
want to try it.
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4.What sorts of
indoor games do
children play now?
Video games , mostly. I think children can
play games on their game consoles for hours
on end. I think it`s really detrimental to their
health, and their parents should definitely
wean them off this habit lest their eyesight
gets worse.
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1.What plans do
you currently have?
Well, actually at the moment I`m
planning to lose weight and get leaner.
I`ve put off this plan for too long, and
my body has just been so out of
shape.
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2.When did you
plan to start that?
Hopefully, this month. I`m a major
procrastinator , though. So, I gotta
make up mind quickly. So next week
I`m planning to sign up for a gym
membership and start working out.
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3.How do you intend
to achieve that?
Well, you know, hitting the gym is probably the first
step. You know but it is difficult to stay the course
because there`re always excuses to not work out. So,
in order to realise my fitness plan, I think I gotta find
an accountability partner. Someone who is fit and
willing to coach me and hold me accountable.
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4.If you go abroad do you
plan to live in the countryside
or in a big city?
Well, you know, each has its own perks, but I gotta go
with a big city. I love the energy of metropolises. You
know I can get a bit hectic at times but I think living in
cities is a lot of fun. By contrast a lot of people like the
sleepiness of the countryside but you know personally
I`m not a fan.
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1.Do you like
swimming?
To be honest, swimming is not exactly
my forte. I learnt how to swim when I
was small, but I was never really good
at it. So I guess I just don`t have a
knack for sports in general.
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2.How often
do you swim?
Not too often, as you can probably guess.
But in the summer, I still love to come to the
pool for a dip to shelter from the sweltering
heat of summer. There is a public swimming
pool near my house, so that is neat.
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3.Do you like to go
swimming on
holiday?
You know, so when I go on vacation, swimming is
kind of a must. Last summer I went to Danang for a
short getaway and got the chance to swim at My The,
which is one of the most immaculate beaches in the
country. The water was crystal clear and I really
enjoyed swimming there.
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4.Is it difficult to
learn how to swim?
Definitely I think swimming seems easy for some
people, but it is definitely very challenging for me. You
know, it doesn`t take long to get the hang of the
basics like staying afloat and breathing techniques.
But the tricky part for me was learning how to
coordinate my arms and legs and you know learning
the different strokes.
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1. If you are 35 years old
without marriage, do you
still wait for true love?
Mmm, I gotta say that if I`m still single by the time I turn 35,
I will still wait for my other half. Because you know, getting
married to someone who you don`t love is really miserable.
You may end up parting ways and getting a divorce. But on
the other hand, for those who still decide not to go ahead
and get married, it is completely justifiable. Because some
people cannot stand being alone.
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2. Who will pay for the
wedding costs, man or
woman or both?
Actually neither. It`s their parents who
finance the wedding. You know, it is kind of
the norm in Vietnam because most young
couples are still trying to make ends meet.
So they cannot possibly afford the prohibitive
costs of wedding.
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3.What do you think
is the best age to get
married?
Well you know, it kind of depends. Some people they may think the optimal
age to get married is around mid-20s, because they wanna avoid the
generation gap between them and their kids. But on the other hand, there are
also those who decide to tie the knot when they are a bit older so for example
like 35 to 40 years old, because they wanna prioritize their career. It is quite
reasonable I think , because you know it is really hard to earn a living if you
have parental duties.
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4.Do you think
Vietnamese wedding
wastes a lot of money?
Absolutely, I think Vietnamese people love
lavish weddings. I think they are willing to
splurge on things like decoration, food,
invitations you know in order to show off their
wealth to the guests.
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5.Do you think men
should take care of
babies and wash dishes?
You know, traditional Vietnamese thinking dictates that
women are in charge of chores and child- rearing. You
know, however, nowadays the responsibilities are kind of
shared between the 2 spouses. So you know because
gender equality is championed in most societies nowadays,
we are seeing more men doing things like cleaning, cooking
and women also help bring home the bacon.
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1. Do you like
listening to music?
Definitely, I love music. You know it`s a great
way to unwind and alleviate stress. My
favourite performer right now is Son. Tung
MTP, who is a prominent pop singer in
Vietnam. I mean he is all the range now,
especially among youngsters.
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2.What type of
music do you like
listening to?
Well, you know I gotta say my favourite
genre is pop. You know Pop music is pretty
catchy and the lyrics are simple. But some
people may find it a bit too mainstream and
prefer something a little bit different, like
jazz, for example.
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3.Where do you
usually listen to
music?
Well, I listen to music pretty much everywhere. When I am
at home, I stream music live from music websites. You
know if I`m feeling up to it I might decide to go to a concert
or something, because you know MP3 s cannot really
compared with the incredible visual and sound effects at the
concert. And of course, I also listen to music when I`m on
the move to make my daily commute a bit less boring.
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4.Can you play any
musical instruments?
I do play guitar but I`m still only a novice. In
the future I live to try to play some more and
try to hone my skills. I am really inspired by
the great guitar virtuosos, so in the future I
hope I can play a shade as well as they do.
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1.Did you wear a
watch when you
were a child?
Actually when I was small, I used to
wear a digital watch. You know I took
a lot of pride in having a watch, and
bragged about it in front of my friends.
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2.Do you like to
wear a watch now?
Yes, I`m a big fan of, you know, wearing watches. I think it
is a wonderful way to lend some visual interest to your
outfit. And actually the one I`m wearing right now is by
Daniel Wallington, a very well-known watch brand in
Vietnam. I think their designs are you know really nice and
they are pretty reasonably priced as well.
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3.Why do people like
to wear expensive
watches?
Well, you know, I think for the most part,
high- end watches are a symbol of status. So
when people get rich they wanna ,you know,
wear things that project their success and
wealth so you know wearing an expensive
time pieces is an easy way to do this.
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4.Have you ever
received a watch as
a gift?
As a matter of fact, yes. My dad gave me a wristwatch
as a graduation present. And you know it was a really
simple, minimalistic design with a black dial and a
leather strap. And you know it is really nice watch and
I really treasure it. I`m thinking of passing it down to
my son or grandson even.
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1. Do you
like bags?
As the matter of fact, I am a really big fan of bags. I
know people may think that it`s kind of a feminine
thing, but I don`t care about it. And I have a pretty big
collection of bags already. But you know, for some
reasons, I can`t resist the urge to splurge on a new
bag whenever I`m feeling flush.
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2. What types of
bags do you like?
Well you know am my all-time favourite is
the backpack. I think it is versatile and
utilitarian design. I mean it`s really easy to
carry stuff around. And you know I think it
matches well with most of my outfits from
formal to casual wear.
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3.What do you
put in your bag
A boat load of things, really you know, all of
my essentials from laptop, keys and my
phone, my wallet. It`s really nice to have
roomy bag to be able to stuff all of them in
whenever I`m on the move.
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4.Do you
collect bags?
Um , well it kinda depends. There are definitely some
people who, you know, go crazy about bags and want to
have different ones for different occasions. For example my
friend, she carries a clutch to a formal events, but she
wears a backpack for daily use. But at the same time, there
are also guys who want an all- purpose bag because you
know, they don`t want to fuss over what to wear.
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1.How do people use
energy from sunshine
in your country?
So I think the primary way in which
Vietnamese people harness solar energy is
to power heaters. I think this is a very
economical practice unlike you know fossil
fuels which can cost a lot of money.
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2.Do you like to live in
a place where there`s
lots of sunshine?
Definitely, I would love to reside somewhere with a lot of
sun, and you know, where I can bask in the sun, pretty
much everywhere. For example, Danang, a coastal city in
central Vietnam would be somewhere I would love to
relocate to. And I took a trip there last year, it was fantastic.
I mean the city is pretty much sunny year round and it`s not
sweltering, unlike Ho Chi Minh for example where the
weather can be quite you know baking.
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3.What activities do
you usually do on
sunny days?
Well, so one of my favourite things to do when it`s
sunny out is to take a trip to a nice, secluded beach
and just you know, spend the day there. And you can
do a bunch of things: you can bask in the sun, go for
a dip or just have a picnic. I usually go there with my
friends and it`s always a blast.
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1.What type of
clothes do you like
wearing?
It really depends. I mean when I go to work, I try to look
sharp because I work in a formal environment so that often
means a suit and tie. But by contrast, if I`m just hanging out
with my friends or you know taking a leisurely stroll, I would
be dressed in something, a little more casual, so a
well-worn pair of jeans, a T- shirt, and maybe some
sneakers.
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2.Where do you
buy clothes?
Again it really depends. You know if I`m feeling flush
then I would go to the mall and splurge on designer
clothes. But on the other hand if I don`t have a lot of
money then I would stop at flea markets where I can
score some amazing deals. And it`s a great way to
buy tons of things without breaking the bank.
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3.Do you wear a
school uniform when
you were younger?
Yes absolutely, wearing uniforms is kind of norm in Vietnam
and students are often dressed in a plain white button-up
shirt and a pair of navy slacks. And the shirt usually has to
be tucked in. The look is quite sedate. And I gotta say I kind
a liked it, because I didn`t have to stand in front of the mirror
in the morning fussing over what to wear to school.
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1.Why do so many people
like going to places with
water, such as lakes,
oceans?
Well, you know I think it`s because for the most part
these places are kind of nice and secluded. So you
know, nowadays life is very hectic, and sometimes we
just need to get away from it all and unwind
somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the
urban life.
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2.What kinds of
activities do people
like to do there?
Well, you know all kinds of things, really. So
obviously the most popular activity would be
to go swimming. It`s nice to go for a dip and
immerse yourself in the water. A lot of
people also like to bask in the sun and get
tanned especially ladies.
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3.Do you think seaside
is more suitable for
children or old people?
Actually that`s a tough question because I think both
can actually enjoy the beach. But I`d say that if
children were to hang out around the sea, for
example. You know their parents definitely need to
keep an eye on them. By contrast, the elderly for the
most part, can take care of themselves.
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4.Do you think governments
should invest money in
developing facilities for water
sports?
Well you know, I`d say no, not really. I think it`s the
companies who own seaside resorts that should pour
money into recreational facilities like water sports for
example because it is kind of interest to them. State
budget should be used to address more urgent needs
like education and healthcare for example.
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1.Do you welcome
guests in your home?
Yes, absolutely. I love to have people over
my house and you know entertain them. I
have a couple of friends whom you know I
always invite over for dinner or for a movie,
for example. I love to take care of people
and showing them my hospitality.
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2.Do you like to
visit other`s home?
Yes, absolutely. I love visiting other people`s homes.
Because I take my cue for the design of my own house from
them. For example, the other day when I went to one of my
friend`s house, I saw a beautiful chandelier that he just put
up in his living room and I just absolutely loved it. And you
know, I think it looks really chic and I would definitely buy
one for my own house.
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3.What do visitors
usually do in your
house?
A bunch of things, really. You know there is usually a
lot of wining and dining. My wife loves to cook , so
whenever we have friends over she would put out a
lot of dishes. And her cooking I think it`s phenomenal
and we just usually eat until we`re stuffed. And after
dinner maybe we`ll just put on movie and chill.
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4.Do you usually hang
out with your friends at
home or outside?
Uhm, you know I would say about like 50-50. I mean
I`d love to have people over at my place, as I was
saying. There is a real sense of intimacy in spending
time with your friends and family at home. But
sometimes we all don`t to bother with the hassle of
cleaning up, so we`ll just go out for a nice dinner at
our favourite restaurant.
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1.Do you like
playing sports?
Well, I`d consider myself a pretty
athletic person, so naturally I have an
affinity for all sporting activities. My
favourite is football. It`s a lot of fun to
play and a lot of fun to watch.
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2.What sports are
the most popular in
your country?
Well, you know I guess football is kind of a big deal in
Vietnam. I mean it`s the most popular spectator sport.
When it is foot season around August, for example
when the Premier League takes place, you know a lot
of people would go to a cafe to watch the matches
and root for their favourite football clubs.
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3.Do you think it is
important to play
sports?
Am definitely, I think playing sports is a good way to
get lean, because it involves a lot of physical
activities. So you know there are a lot of people lead a
sedentary lifestyle and generally would shy away from
the gym. So I think for these people, I believe sports
would be an energizing way to get some exercise.
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4.What sports would
you like to try in the
future?
Well, I gotta say in the future, I would love to have a
crack at skydiving. Free falling from enormous
altitudes looks like a lot of fun. And you know a while
back actually I almost gave bungee jump a go, but in
the end I kind of chickened out. So I really want to try
skydiving to conquer my fear of height.
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1.What is your
favourite colour?
Well you know I am a real sucker for all
things blue. I love all shades of blue, from
the brighter shades like electric blue to the
more subdued, like navy, for example. I think
naturally the bulk of my wardrobe is blue.
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2.Are there any
colours you dislike?
Well, I`d have to say that when people
wear overly bright colours like neon for
example, it really bugs me. I think
these people have bad taste in
fashion.
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3.When you are buying
clothes is the colour
important to you?
Absolutely, when I am shopping for clothes, I
gotta be really mindful of the colour of the
garment and whether it would go well with
the rest of my wardrobe. But you know of
course, I don`t think I can ever go wrong with
blue.
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4.Are there any colours
that have a special
meaning in your country?
Yeah, I guess you know like white usually symbolises
purity and innocence, so it is the of choice for
weddings or school uniform. But on the other hand
darker colours like grey or black usually suggest
sorrow and suffering, so I guess that`s why a lot of
people wear black to funerals.
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1.What do you bring
when you go out?
You know, there are certainly items that I`d
consider essential whenever I go out. For
example a pair of headphones to listen to
music when I am on the move. It really
makes my daily commute less boring.
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2.Did you ever forget
to bring things?
Well, I gotta admit I`m quite a forgetful person. So
there`ve Certainly been times when you know I`ve left
the house I forgot my keys, my phone, even worse my
wallet. And it`s really a nuisance finding out that you
have no cash on hand when you wanna pay for like a
coffee or something
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3.Will you bring
different things in the
daytime or at night
I guess I do bring slightly different items at different
times of the day. For example you know, during the
day when it`s really sunny, a pair of shades might
come in handy so I always bring that. But by contrast,
at n when it can get a bit cold, a light jacket could be
really useful to brace yourself against the chill.
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1.Do you like
history?
Yes, I take a very keen interest in history. I love to learn
about historical events and historical figures. World history
is pretty cool, but I am more interested in the history of
Vietnam. So I am fascinated with you know the rich heritage
of Vietnam, our past struggles against foreign colonization
and how peace was established in the country.
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2.What historical
event do you find
most interesting?
Well, I gotta say one of the biggest milestones in
Vietnam`s history has to be the Declaration of
Independence. So, on September 2nd 1945.
President Ho Chi Minh declared to the world that
Vietnam officially became you know a sovereign
state, after I think thousands of years of being
invaded.
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3. Do you think
history is important?
Without a doubt. History plays an integral part in any
society. I think learning history instils in people a
sense of patriotism and an appreciation for peace and
order. I think without learning about history we can`t
possibly learn from our past mistakes and failures.
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4.Do you like to
watch programs on
TV about history?
Absolutely. I find them much more interesting than
learning about history from say textbooks for
example. History documentaries provide a very vivid
portrayal of you know historical events, especially
battles and wars and it`s such a fantastic way to get
small kids to, you know take an interest in history.
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1. Do you
like birds?
Well, you know I gotta say that I take a very keen
interest in nature so you know I love to learn about
different species of plants, animals, and yes birds. I
think they are truly fascinating creatures and they
come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes. And
bird watching is actually one of my favourite things to
do.
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2.Have you seen
many kinds of birds?
Well, you know living in the city birds are a
rare sight. I mean most of the stuff that I`ve
seen about birds is from documentaries of
the great outdoors. I mean I`ve seen some
common breeds like pigeons but nothing too
exotic.
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3.How do
Vietnamese people
feel about birds?
You know for the most part Vietnamese people are
not that into birds. I mean we like to eat them, you
know especially game birds like pheasants. People in
remote areas often go hunting for birds and roast
them over an open fire. They are truly a delicacy
where I come from
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1.Are there many
shops near your
house?
Well actually there is an eclectic mix of stores in the
vicinity of my house. So you can find lots of high -end
boutiques selling designer clothes. But at the same
time, you also get an abundance of Street food stalls
and grocery stores so you can really get everything in
one place.
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2.Do you like
shopping?
Absolutely, well you know nowadays my
work is incredibly stressful, so every now
and then I really need some retail therapy.
And so on paydays, I usually hit the mall and
you know treat myself to something nice,
maybe a new shirt or a nice pair of shoes.
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3.Who does the
shopping in your
house?
Actually my dad is the bread winner but my
mom is actually in charge of finance and
purchases. So, every morning she goes to
the supermarket and shops for fresh fruit and
groceries and you know our daily supplies.
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4.How often do you
buy something in a
shop?
Actually you know given the fact that shopping online is
incredibly popular nowadays, I find myself shopping more
and more on the internet. But you know every now and then
I would go to a brick and mortar store to peruse the
offerings in person. And especially when I shop for clothes I
really wanna to go to the store to you know try on the
clothes to see if they fit or they flatter my body.
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1.Do you usually
write by hand?
Am not really anymore. You know these days I find
myself typing on laptops and texting on my phone a
lot. So rarely reach for pen and paper anymore. That
said I still have to jot down notes by hand in class
because laptops are not allowed. So, I think it`s a pain
really
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2.Do you think
handwriting will be
replaced by computers?
Well you know in this day and age, modern technologies
have largely marginalized handwriting to a great extent. And
people don`t really you know write by hand as much as they
did in the past. However, I still believe that certain things
must be handwritten. For example, you should always
handwrite a wedding invitation to show respect to the
guests.
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3.Is it still necessary
to keep handwriting?
Absolutely I think it is important that we
teach young kids how to handwrite . I think
handwriting exercises really do wonders for
their cognitive development. Actually my
brother who has beautiful handwriting is
brilliant kid.
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4.What impression does
a person`s handwriting
have on other people?
So I think in Vietnam handwriting can certainly speak
volumes about the person who you are. For example if you
have neat handwriting , people tend to think that you are a
good- hearted person. By contrast if your handwriting is
unintelligible, for example they tend to think badly of you. It
is quite an antiquated way of thinking I guess.
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1.Do you like
jewellery?
Well actually I think jewellery is kind of
feminine thing. So you know ladies would
love to wear lots of bling as a way of lending
some visual interest to their outfit. But you
know as a man, I am not really into jewellery.
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2.What jewellery
do you have?
Actually I`m not a big fan of jewellery, but
actually you know, a piece of jewellery that I
own is a pair of cufflinks. So I usually wear it
you know on my shirt cuffs to formal events
when I want to look a bit you know fancy and
dressed up.
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3.What do people do
to protect their
jewellery?
Well you know most people put their bracelets, necklaces
and other pieces of jewellery in a jewellery box. But you
know some people do go an extra mile and buy a safe just
to store their jewellery. Because you know I guess it makes
sense you know since some items can really cost a fortune
for example like a diamond pendant.
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1.Do you like
shoes?
Not really. I wouldn`t consider myself
a shoes enthusiast or anything. Some
of my friends are crazy about shoes. I
mean they love to read about footwear
from you know magazines, blogs.
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2.Are people willing
to buy expensive
shoes?
Yes I think so. Some people are really
loaded and they are very willing to splurge
on nice shoes. But there are also those who
are frugal like myself who would typically shy
away from the big brands because of their
stratospheric price tags.
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3.Which do you prefer,
comfortable shoes or
fashionable ones?
So I definitely value comfort over looks.
Because I do a lot of walking on the daily
basis. If I wear something that is too snug for
example, then it would blister my feet. So
you know I often opt for something that is
comfy like a pair of sneakers.
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4.Do you buy shoes
from online shops?
From time to time, yes. But I always make an
effort to go to a brick and mortar store to try
the shoes on in person. Because my feet are
pretty weird so you know I might wear
different sizes for different brands.
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1.Do you usually eat
fruit and vegetables?
Absolutely. Fruits and veggies are an indispensable
part of my diet. Everyday I carry around a bag of dried
fruits to snack on when I`ve got the munchies and you
know for lunch I usually opt for fresh and you know
healthy salad. I think it`s a real healthy eating habit.
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2.What kind of fruit
do you enjoy the
most?
Actually I gotta say mango is my all-time favourite.
Ripe mangos have a very sweet flavor and soft. They
practically melt in your mouth. And you know you can
do a bunch of things with mangos too. You know you
can eat them, you can juice them and you know
unripe mangos actually make for a mean salad.
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3.Did you enjoy the
same type of fruit
when you`re child?
Actually when I was small, I tend to prefer
fruits that are you know sweet and soft, easy
to chew and with as few seeds as possible,
so you know things like mangos, bananas
and etc. I also loved to drink smoothies from
these fruits. Fruity drinks are my favourite.
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4.Do you prefer to
eat fruit or
vegetables?
Actually I don`t really have a preference, but I guess fruit is
a little bit easier to eat. Even the more citric fruits like
oranges and limes and lemons are pretty easy to eat. You
know by contrast, some vegetables can have a bitter and
earthy taste. So that`s kind of you know hard to eat. You
can`t juice them in the same way that you do with fruits.
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1.Do you remember
your dream when
you wake up?
You know for the most part, no. When I wake
up, I usually have no recollection of what
happened in my dreams. But usually I
remember disconnected fragments that you
know really don`t make any sense.
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2.Do you like
hearing other`s
dreams?
Yes certainly. I think some people are
hounted by their dreams, and they really
need someone to talk to about it. And you
know some people are scared out of their
mind if they see nightmares.
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3.Do you think
dreams will affect
life?
Yes, to certain extent, I think a lot of people are really
affected by what they see in their dreams. So, for
example if they see death or suffering, they might
interpret it as, you know an omen. And they would like
take precautions by for example being extra careful
on the road. So yes, I think dreams do influence our
behaviours.
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4.Do you want to
learn more about
dreams?
Well I gotta say dreams are not necessarily an area
that I take a keen interest in. I mean I`m sure that
learning about dreams can reveal really fascinating
things about our brains or our cognition. But I`m more
of an art person so I prefer to learn about things like
language or culture.
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5.Do you want to
learn more about
dreams?
Well actually I`ve learnt a lot of dreams by watching videos
on YouTube and reading quite a few articles. And the fact
that dreams still hold a great mystery to even scientists . We
don`t actually know why we dream makes this you know
topic of dreams much more attractive and because of this
yes. I say I want I`d love to learn more about dreams in the
future.
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1.Do you like
flowers?
Actually, flowers are kind of a feminine thing so you
know I don`t really like them. My mom is crazy about
flowers though. I mean every now and then she would
go to the market and she would buy fresh cut flower
and arrange them in a vase in our living room.
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2.Do you think
flowers are
important?
I guess it is kind of the gift of choice for most special
occasions for example on valentine`s day you know a
bouquet of flowers can make my girl`s day. And I also
think flowers are wonderfully useful decorative items.
So, a flower vase can be a nice touch to any space,
so for example a living room or a bedroom.
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3.What are the
occasions when people
give or receive flowers?
Actually people in Vietnam give flowers on a number of
occasions. So, for example on teacher`s day, students
would often give their teachers a bouquet or a basket of
flowers as a token of appreciation and gratitude. You know
so another occasion would be valentine`s day when you
can see an abundance of florists selling flower arrangement
on the streets. It is just a really popular gift.
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4.Do flowers have a
special meaning in
your country?
Actually, I guess so. You know for example lotus is
considered Vietnam`s national flower and it is such a
beautiful flower and it symbolises the purity and
innocence. Actually, the logo of one of the most
popular commercial airlines in Vietnam which is
Vietnam airlines. So, on every single one of their
aircraft you can spot a giant lotus.
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1.What is your
favourite flavor?
Well I gotta go with dark chocolate. Because
I find the white variety a little bit too rich for
my taste. So you know by contrast dark
chocolate has a really sophisticated flavor
and has a really nice balance between
bitterness and richness.
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2.How often do
you eat chocolate?
Not too often, as you can probably guess.
Because chocolate isn`t really a staple food
in Vietnam. It is sort of like a treat on special
occasions like for example a box of
chocolate truffles makes for a wonderful gift
on valentine`s day.
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3.Is chocolate
popular in your
country?
Well you know I gotta say Vietnamese
people are generally crazy about chocolate
and sugary products in general. I mean
when you go to supermarkets you can find
thousands and thousands of brands selling
chocolate bars.
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4.Do you think people
use chocolate differently
now than in the past?
You know I gotta say that we do consume chocolate
in vastly different ways compared to the past. So, for
example before we just ate them and now chocolate
is incorporated into a lot of foods and drinks. For
example, chocolate desserts and chocolate- flavoured
bubble tea are all the range in Vietnam right now.