“Gia Dinh Haha” Episode 18: “A meal is a family”

A Moment of Silence by the Fire

A bustling evening was spent completing the "Haha House" for Luong the kitten. The meticulous care, from Eldest Brother Thuan’s towel to Second Brother Thien’s couplets or Third Brother Nam’s pillow, showed their deep appreciation for the “little member” attached to the lifestyle here.

In contrast to that, joy was a moment of silence in the kitchen, when Mr. Ha – the pillar of the family, constantly busy preparing dinner – opened up about his ailing father. The image of the "Tay" son - The son of Northwest Vietnam, tearing up while sharing about his father, truly touched the hearts of the members: "It was so hard back then; he built so many houses, the properties we have now all belong to our parents. But now that the children have achieved a little, he has fallen ill and cannot enjoy any of it..."

Mr. Ha is getting emotional while sharing his father's story

Faced with Mr. Ha's constant worry about finding traditional medicine to treat his father, Jun Pham and Rhymastic immediately offered to help source the medicine from the lowlands. The comforting pat on the shoulder and the promise of companionship at this moment represented the true strength of kinship, of brothers within a family.

"A Meal is a Family"

The somber atmosphere following the personal confessions was quickly warmed by the gathered dinner. Through little Thang's Jenga game, everyday stories naturally flowed. From the innocent questions of a child about the universe to Mr. Ha's humorous memories of "climbing the roof, making a hole" to find a life partner, everything wove together into a vibrant picture of highland culture.

The atmosphere became reflective when Ms. Thong asked Jun Pham about his feelings for their “current family.” Eldest Brother Thuan shared, "Coming back here for the third time... exactly as Ms. Thong said, a meal is a family... I also want that during these days living together like this, if you have anything, just feel free to share it with us; we consider you as our own older siblings in the family."

“A Meal is a Family”

Still featuring the usual rustic dishes, but this time, the meal carried the aftertaste of sharing, as the most hidden thoughts were fully expressed by the members.

Indigenous Stories

Indigenous culture continued to be delicately woven into breakfast. Ms. Thong shared a story related to the rooster's crow. For the Tay people, it is not just an alarm clock but also holds spiritual significance, forecasting good or bad omens.

Even as the current of the new era flows on, that way of life is still perfectly preserved by the family. When Youngest Brother Khanh wondered whether the younger generation like little Thu and little Thang, still believe in and apply this custom, both Mr. Ha and Ms. Thong confirmed: "Yes, of course, because it's a tradition now."

The story of the headscarf opened up another fascinating cultural aspect. The scarf serves to keep warm and avoid dust, while also acting as a "love token" for young men to tease and confess their feelings during holidays and Tet.

Ms. Thong shares the story of the headscarf

Although they have accompanied Ban Lien through many journeys, for “Gia Dinh Haha,” each cultural story revealed is like a colorful puzzle piece, weaving a diverse Northwest picture that always holds endlessly fascinating wonders.

The Ideals of the "Flowers"

Following the ripple effect after six months of broadcasting, “Gia Dinh Haha” has brought Ms. Thong's family closer to the public. However, in the face of fame, those people of Ban Lien still completely maintain their sincerity, cherishing the values of genuine connection without caring for fame or fortune.

When Jun Pham asked little Thu about her life changes after the show aired, he "tested" putting a common scenario into her mind: the admiration of friends and fame on social media. However, the little girl's answer remained very rustic and sincere.

Thu innocently shared: "I feel very happy to be loved by everyone, to make everyone in the family happy together. And I feel very honored to have you uncles visit our home..." She appreciates the love from everyone through "Gia Dinh Haha," but most importantly to little Thu is the connection the program has brought.

That kindness also strongly manifests in the heads of the family. On the Shan Tuyet tea hill, the story about the life ideals of Ms. Thong – a prime example of an ethnic minority woman in business – brought a thought-provoking reference value. Despite receiving many invitations for advertisements and livestreaming to earn income after the show's effect, Ms. Thong resolutely refused to focus on building the cooperative: "If I do that... my economy might be a little better than the people here, but the people here will still be standing in place." Her choice to prioritize the community over temporary glitz received support from Duy Khanh: "I think you should just follow your life ideals, as long as you feel joyful and happy, that's what matters."

Ms. Thong and the members are going up the hill to pick tea

Going through 18 episodes, Ban Lien has transformed from a destination on the map into a piece of the “Gia Dinh Haha” members' memories. The stories of the love-token headscarf or the ideals of the Tay woman once again validate the core value of the program: to travel to understand, to love, and to cherish the quiet beauty of Vietnamese culture.

“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.