Foreign enthusiasts spread Vietnamese culture worldwide

One such enthusiast is Jean Sébastien Grill, a 43-year-old French man known locally as Truong Giang. His recent Zalo post, Viet Nam oi! Truong Giang ve que an Tet (Vietnam, here I come! Truong Giang returns home for Tet), might lead one to believe he is a returning Vietnamese expatriate. However, Grill's story is one of deep cultural immersion and love for Vietnam.

Grill returned to Hanoi just before the Kitchen God Day (23rd day of the lunar December) to partake in the cherished tradition of releasing carps into the water, a ritual that symbolises the farewell to the Kitchen God.

His homecoming was filled with a whirlwind of activities: sightseeing with his family, shopping for ao dai (traditional long dress) for his wife and children, and attending the spring calligraphy festival at the Temple of Literature. Recognised as “ong do Tay” (Western scholar). Grill made history in 2023 as the first foreign calligrapher at the festival. This year, he seeks permission to write calligraphy at King Le Thai To Monument near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Grill's journey began in 2006 when he married a French woman of Vietnamese descent. The couple's love for Vietnam grew with each visit, ultimately leading them to settle permanently in the country in 2015.

Inspired by a Korean friend, Grill delved into the art of calligraphy, mastering the craft and becoming known as the "ong do Tay" (Western scholar). Even while away, he continued practicing calligraphy, gifting his works to friends and family. Practicing calligraphy cultivates the mind and carries a special meaning: passing on traditional values, he reflected.

Stella Ciorra, a British woman, has been deeply connected to Vietnam for 30 years. Her first visit in 1995 revealed a country grappling with hardships yet brimming with resilient and friendly people. Ciorra's affection for Vietnam led her to return and eventually live there where she became a member and later President of the Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH).

Immersing herself in Vietnamese culture, she rented a house with a multi-generational family in Tay Ho district and actively joined cultural excursions across Vietnam, from walking tours exploring Hanoi’s culture, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long to the Hanoi Old Quarter and rural craft villages. During these trips, Ciorra played the role of a guide, sharing fascinating local stories with her witty and engaging storytelling style.

Passion for ao dai has also made her a prominent figure in events honouring the traditional long dress, and she recently contributed to a seminar on its preservation and promotion.

Martín Rama, an Uruguayan economist, has captured the essence of Hanoi's old streets and lively sidewalks in his books "Hanoi promenade" (2014) and "For the Love of Hanoi" (2023). His first book Hanoi promenade won the Bui Xuan Phai Award for For the Love of Hanoi in 2014. Other foreign friends, such as Serbian novelist Marko Nikolic, have also been honoured for their dedication to promoting Vietnam's heritage.

In the digital age, platforms like YouTube have become powerful tools for spreading culture. Saleem Hammad, a Palestinian-born resident of Vietnam for 13 years, shares his love for the country through his YouTube channel. His victory in the "Hanoi in My Eyes" contest and his role as Hanoi's Ambassador for Peace in 2019 underscore his strong bond with Vietnam. His channel, launched out of a genuine love for the country, partners with fellow YouTubers to promote Vietnam's history, culture, and people to a global audience.