Gia Dinh Haha” Episode 16: Ban Lien on the day of return - A meal to warm the Northwest Vietnam winter

Unlike the radiant golden sunshine of their first encounter, this time Ban Lien welcomed back its “children from afar” amidst the cold rain and pervasive fog of the Northwest winter. Fueled by the special love of the audience, “Ban Lien, the day of return” continues to evoke strong emotions, recounting authentic stories of reunion where tight embraces, sweat shed on the roof, and a family meal warmed an entire freezing highland region.

Ban Lien on the day of return: A completely different beauty, yet the affection remains intact

As early as 10 days before the broadcast, thousands of viewers expressed their eagerness and anticipation for the special stage on the Gia Dinh Haha Fanpage. Furthermore, demonstrating a highly civilized culture of "returning the favor" (trả job), many viewers continuously tagged and thanked each sponsor, expressing their gratitude to the brands for funding the program so that audiences could continue to enjoy the meaningful and touching stories of Gia Dinh Haha.

Returning to Ban Lien at the end of the harvest season, the Northwest landscape exuded the quiet atmosphere characteristic of winter, completely distinct from the vibrancy of summer days.

Upon setting foot in the familiar stilt house, the five siblings of “Gia Dinh Haha” quickly integrated into the daily routine. Alongside the appearance of Ms. Thong’s two new house compartments, the members were pleasantly surprised by the maturity of the two children, Thu and Thang, as well as the presence of a new four-legged friend – little Tom, alongside the familiar member, Gau.

Ban Lien, the day of return

The highlight of the reunion day was the display of commemorative gifts from the audience. Mr. Ha and Ms. Thong dedicated the most prominent spot to showcase hand-drawn pictures and items sent by fans. This serves as a testament to the practical impact of "Gia Dinh Haha," while simultaneously affirming the strong bond between the program, the local community, and the audience.

Marking the day of return, Eldest Brother Thuan personally took to the kitchen to prepare wontons to treat the family, assisted by Fourth Brother Tam and a special pink cooking set. The lunch took place in an intimate atmosphere, officially kicking off with Ms. Thong’s rustic remark: “Welcome back home, after working far away for a while.” This greeting, accompanied by a hot cup of tea, was not merely a guest-welcoming ritual but a confirmation of the members' "family" status during this return.

Braving the rain to roof the house: Family ties and neighborly love

The beloved "specialty" of “Gia Dinh Haha” has always been the members' moments of "getting their hands dirty." Shedding the clumsiness and hesitance of their early days, the five “Gia Dinh Haha” siblings quickly got down to work upon their return to Ban Lien. Confident with the experience accumulated from previous journeys, Eldest Brother Thuan and Youngest Brother Khanh both excitedly declared: “We are no longer apprentice farmers; we are professional farmers now.”

Matching words with actions, the group swiftly tackled the leaf-splitting stage. With nimble hands, they used knives to separate each large palm frond, meticulously preparing the best bundles of materials for Mr. Ha and Ms. Thong to re-roof the house. Neighbors and Ms. Thong’s relatives also came to lend a hand so the crew could conquer the next challenge: weaving bamboo and roofing.

While Eldest Brother Thuan, Second Brother Thien, and Third Brother Nam worked side-by-side with the locals on the roof to erect the bamboo frame, down below, Fourth Brother Tam and Youngest Brother Khanh continuously passed up each layer of palm leaves. When the rain began to fall heavily, Ms. Thong anxiously asked from below: “Do you need raincoats?”, only to be met with a refusal from the members: “No need for raincoats.” It wasn't until the forest rain truly poured down in torrents that raincoats were hastily donned. That rain further highlighted the endearment of the return day, as everyone wholeheartedly cared for and tended to the home like a true family.

”Gia Dinh Haha” is participating in re-roofing the house

From the color of indigo shirts to the predestined connections of the roofing season

Throughout the working and living process, the cultural stories of the Tay people naturally unfolded. “Gia Dinh Haha” listened to Ms. Thong’s fascinating insights about Tet clothing, noting that locals here still prioritize preserving traditional indigo, blue, and black colors. Vibrant colors like red and pink – symbolizing luck – are incorporated into scarves wrapped around the waist, creating a graceful and distinctive accent compared to lowland culture.

Mr. Ha also revealed the "matchmaking season" that blossoms during the year-end house roofing occasions. According to him, these days of collective labor are a "golden opportunity" for young men and women in the village to meet and converse. A skillful young man might even craft a knife sheath to give to his beloved as a token of affection. It is this mutual support and sharing amidst the rhythm of labor that has tied the knot for countless couples.

Mr. Ha shared about the "matchmaking season" during the year-end house roofing occasions

Closing the cultural chapter, Ms. Thong confided about the custom of preparing dowries: “When getting married, a girl will have 20 to 50 shirts prepared by her parents and siblings in the house,” not only to wear but also to gift to her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. In return, the groom's family will also “prepare shirts to gift to the father-in-law and brothers-in-law,” Mr. Thong added. All of this paints a rich picture of spiritual life, where every tradition serves as a sacred milestone marking the maturity and beliefs of the people here.

Winter hearth, reunion meal

It was still the familiar stilt house kitchen - a place connecting streams of emotion - but this time it carried a different meaning, serving as a witness to the return day of the family members. The clattering of knives and cutting boards, combined with lively conversations by the fire, perfectly recreated the quintessential gathering scene of a large family in the days approaching Tet.

No longer showing the timid demeanor of their first meeting, little Thang was more open and active, sharing stories ranging from school to family with the older siblings. Meanwhile, little Thu also comfortably talked about her upcoming cultural dance performances, featuring the song "Nhung Ngay Troi Bao La" from the program.

The Reunion Meal of “Gia Dinh Haha”

Under the warm yellow lighting, everyone shared a meal and their authentic emotions after the first day back in Ban Lien. That simple yet deeply affectionate dinner concluded a perfectly fulfilling day of return.

Audiences “Teary-Eyed” on the Day of Return to Ban Lien

The return of “Gia Dinh Haha” not only warmed Ban Lien but also generated a profound wave of emotion among the audience. Numerous comments expressed immediate nostalgia the moment the program's familiar melodies and nature sounds played, leaving viewers “teary-eyed” from longing.

Notably, despite being at the peak of the year-end “reporting season” with a heavy workload, many fans were still willing to “set aside” their tasks to prioritize healing moments with the five siblings. This affirms the program’s special place in the audience’s hearts: a peaceful sanctuary amidst the fast-paced rhythm of life.

@ “Gia Dinh Haha” is a reality television program focusing on culture and agriculture with a "healing" theme, produced and copyrighted by YeaH1 Group. The program has been broadcast on VTV3 since June 2025. It features five artists, including Jun Pham, Rhymastic, Bui Cong Nam, Ngoc Thanh Tam, and Duy Khanh - familiar talents to audiences from the programs "Call Me by Fire VN" and "Sisters Who Make Waves VN", which are also produced by YeaH1.

With deeply moving and simple everyday stories, devoid of intense conflicts or drama, combined with "absolutely cinematic" beautiful cinematography, the members have brought audiences pure and warm emotions. The show spreads love for the homeland and family, fostering greater understanding and pride in the living and working traditions (farming, livestock breeding, traditional crafts...) across various regions of Vietnam.

The program was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee for its special contributions to the province's tourism in 2025. Furthermore, the program has also inspired numerous cultural and community activities, such as the tree-planting program “Gia Dinh Haha - For a Happy Vietnam” launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the video creation contest “Vietnam Tourism Impressions” 2025 organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This affirms the pervasive influence of a humane television program that can consistently transcend the confines of the screen to deliver positive values to the community.

“Gia Dinh HaHa – Special Stage” broadcasts every Saturday at 20:00 on VTV3, 20:30 on the YeaH1 Show YouTube channel, and is officially available on MangoPlus. Specifically, Episode 16 aired on January 18, 2026.