Mr. Truong Xuan Anh Khoa and Ms. Truong Hoang Ngoc, a couple residing in Hamlet 4, Ward 4, Soc Trang City, are both civil servants, working 8-hour days. Not living with their parents, they manage all household chores and childcare responsibilities together. Every lunchtime after work, with only a few hours of rest before returning to the office, they still make time to cook, eat lunch with their children, and chat. Their kitchen is always bustling with laughter and conversation at lunchtime.
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| Ms. Truong Hoang Ngoc, residing in Hamlet 4, Ward 4, Soc Trang City (Soc Trang province), and her children are preparing lunch. |
As a wife and mother, Ms. Ngoc always wants to take good care of her family. Family meals are a time when she can teach her children many things, from cooking and managing the household to life lessons. Mr. Khoa shares his wife's view. He believes that family meals, besides enjoying delicious food, are also an opportunity for everyone to share their joys and sorrows. In particular, family meals have a unique flavor that other meals lack.
The special flavor that Mr. Khoa mentioned is probably also the feeling many people have about family meals. It's the taste of home. The deliciousness doesn't come from the food or spices, but from the love and care added to each meal. It's a flavor that many people far from home and their hometown miss intensely. The taste of home also comes from the stories shared at the dinner table, the jokes, the questions and answers exchanged. It's the invisible thread that connects family members.
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| A family meal at the home of Mr. Ngo Hoang Canh, residing in Hamlet 8, Ward 3, Soc Trang City (Soc Trang Province). |
For the family of Mr. Ngo Hoang Canh, residing in Hamlet 8, Ward 3, Soc Trang City, family meals are a long-standing tradition. As a three-generation family living together, each with their own work, the shared meal is always highly valued. If a member is busy and will be home late, they call to let everyone know. The whole family waits for the meal. Sometimes, the shared meal doesn't take place until after 7 PM.
While respecting tradition, he also understands the difficulties his children face, often unable to be home for meals. His wish is for his children to strive to preserve this tradition so that future generations can also enjoy regular meals together. He believes this is the way to keep the warmth of the home alive. Mr. Canh said: “Family meals are where husband and wife can share their experiences – how I went to work, what happened to my wife, how our children's work and lives are going, and what difficulties they are facing. Through these shared meals, we also teach our children about right and wrong in life. Sometimes, when I get angry, my children offer constructive criticism, helping me to reflect and correct my behavior.”
The fast-paced lifestyle, the demands of work, the allure of modern forms of entertainment, and dependence on technology—many factors contribute to the growing disconnect between generations. And shared meals are becoming increasingly rare. Maintaining these shared meals requires more than just one individual's effort; it's the collective effort of every family member.
Ms. Ngo Hoang My Duyen (daughter of Mr. Ngo Hoang Canh) shared: “For young people today, there are so many things that distract them, work is intertwined, and we are too dependent on technology, so we may forget about family meals. A shared meal helps connect generations within the family. After a hard day's work, coming home, you can tell your father about your day's work, or tell your mother about your busy day. For me, that is very important.”
A shared meal, evenings spent together in the same space, stories, genuine care—however small or simple—is the bond that connects family members. Life is made up of simple things. And building and preserving a family begins with keeping the flame of love alive and ensuring that stories continue to flow every day.
HA PHUONG
Source: https://baosoctrang.org.vn/doi-song-xa-hoi/202507/giu-lua-am-gia-dinh-tu-nhung-bua-com-chung-55405f5/
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