We visited a class in Thanh Xuan District at a time when Vietnamese wives were learning how to prepare Kimchi (picked napa cabbage), a traditional dish of South Korea, with instructions from a native teacher. Here the instructor covered everything from the prosaic to the paramount, from Kimchi and snowy winters, to emergency numbers and dual citizenship. The participants were also provided with a “Guide to Korean Life”. The booklet is filled with photos of traditional clothing, instructions on the differences between Korean and Vietnamese child-rearing, tips to deal with in-laws, and a reminder that having a refrigerator doesn’t mean one should keep food for more than a week.
Seeing their eagerness for each lesson in class, we acknowledged their desire for a happy life when going with their husbands to this country which is very different from Vietnam culturally.
Bui Thi Huong, a participant of the class, talked with us while preparing Kimchi. For her and those who are going to get married to Korean men, the class is very useful because it provides them with important information about this country as well as helping them understand more about customs, behaviours, cuisine and how to get on with their future husbands’ family. “If we do not attend the class we will never know that many things, which are very normal and acceptable in Vietnam, are taboo in South Korea,” said Huong.
Kim Sun Yeon (left), a volunteer from RoK, teaches Truong Thuy Duong traditional rites of the South Korean people. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
Leaning to prepare some traditional dishes of South Korea. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
The class provides hundreds of Vietnamese women with the necessary skills and experiences to live in South Korea. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
The participants are provided with booklets full of information about the social policies and overseas assistance centres in South Korea. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
Prof. Le Thi Quy, Director of the Research Centre for Gender and Development, provides the participants with knowledge about the cultures of both countries. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
Each class has about 32 participants who are the wives-to-be in South Korea. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
South Korean teachers, volunteers and participants at the closing ceremony of a course. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
Bidding farewell after a two week course. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
The class provides useful skills for Vietnamese women before they become wives in South Korean. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP
Talking with us, Hoang Le Hong Nhung who is in charge of the wife teaching programme said that such classes are organized by the Vietnamese-South Korean Culture Centre and funded by Samsung Company since 2010. They are offered free of charge to Vietnamese women. The programme has helped reduce the divorce rates, family violence and instability among South Korean men with Vietnamese women.
She added that besides learning about the South Korean culture, the participants of the classes also met with Vietnamese women who are now wives in this country and listen to them sharing their real stories and experiences. All help the participants feel confident and do not feel worried and scared about their life in South Korea.
The programme is very useful for Vietnamese women, the wives-to-be in South Korea and it is of great significance, making a contribution to tightening the special relations between the two countries.
Story: Thao Vy – Photos: Viet Cuong
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