International Friends Enchanted by Vietnamese Culture

The growing strength of international cultural exchange poses numerous challenges to local cultures. However, such exchanges also provide an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Vietnamese culture, as more international friends become devoted to preserving and spreading the traditions of Vietnam.
January 24, 2025 | 12:16
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Looking at a photo captioned, "Vietnam oi! Truong Giang returns home for Tet," posted on Zalo, one might feel it’s the joyful shout of a Vietnamese expat returning home. However, it’s actually the heartfelt sentiment of a Frenchman, Jean Sebastien Grill, known in Vietnam as Truong Giang. Arriving in Vietnam just before the Kitchen Gods’ Day (the 23rd day of the lunar month), Jean immersed himself in the lively tradition of releasing carp into Hanoi’s waters.

Stella Ciorra on her cycling journey to promote the heritage of Vietnam's ao dai.
Stella Ciorra on her cycling journey to promote the heritage of Vietnam's ao dai.

In the first days of "coming home," Jean’s schedule was packed. He accompanied his family to explore various destinations, shopped for traditional ao dai for his wife and children to celebrate Tet, and attended the opening ceremony of the Spring Calligraphy Festival at the Temple of Literature. At the event, many recognized the familiar face of this "Western calligrapher."

In the Lunar New Year of 2023, Jean became the first foreign calligrapher in the history of the Spring Calligraphy Festival. However, for the Year of the Snake, he said "This year, I’ve brought my whole family to Vietnam for Tet, so I can’t participate in writing at the Temple of Literature. However, I’m seeking permission to write at the King Le Thai To relic site by Hoan Kiem Lake during the Lunar New Year."

Born in 1982 under the sign of the Dog, Jean trained as a graphic designer and later pursued acupuncture in Eastern medicine. In 2006, he married a French-Vietnamese woman, and both fell in love with Vietnam. "In Vietnam, I always receive warm smiles, and people are ready to help without expecting anything in return. Many Vietnamese families live together across generations, creating a warm and close-knit atmosphere," Jean said.

Fascinated by Vietnamese culture, he frequently returned to learn more about traditional medicine. By 2015, Jean moved to Vietnam with his family. During this time, a Korean friend introduced him to the art of calligraphy. Captivated by this unique Eastern art form, Jean sought teachers to learn calligraphy, starting with Vietnamese scripts. This marked the beginning of his journey as the "Western calligrapher" and his adoption of the Vietnamese name Nguyen Truong Giang.

Coming from a foreign cultural background, mastering Vietnamese calligraphy with "ink and do paper" was a challenge for Jean. He often locked himself in his room, studying vocabulary, grinding ink, and practicing writing. "To impart value, it’s not enough to write beautifully or stylishly, I must also understand the profound meaning of each word," he said. Jean read extensively and sought guidance from others to explain the beauty of calligraphy, the tradition of seeking meaningful characters during the New Year, and the depth behind the words he wrote.

One of his teachers, renowned calligrapher Kieu Quoc Khanh (pen name Nguyet Tra), was impressed by Jean’s passion and creativity. In 2021, Jean had to return to France due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but his heart remained in Vietnam, which he affectionately referred to as "home." By Lunar New Year 2023, after passing a rigorous selection process, Jean earned the honor of writing calligraphy at the Temple of Literature—a privilege not granted to all calligraphy artists.

Even when he couldn’t be in Vietnam for the Year of the Dragon, Jean continued his calligraphy practice in France and Belgium, gifting works to friends and loved ones. "For me, practicing calligraphy nurtures my soul. Beyond that, it carries the special meaning of passing down traditional values. Writing calligraphy and sharing meaningful characters during the New Year brings me immense joy and happiness," Jean shared.

Vietnam’s increasing global integration brings both challenges and opportunities for its traditional culture. While trends of idolizing foreign cultures risk overshadowing local traditions, cultural exchanges also offer a platform to showcase the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

Take, for example, Stella Ciorra, a British woman who has cherished Vietnam for 30 years. Arriving in 1995, just as Vietnam was beginning to open up to the world, she was captivated by its friendly people and resilient spirit despite the country’s struggles. Over the years, she deepened her connection, joining the Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) and eventually becoming its chairperson.

Fascinated by Vietnamese culture, Stella embraced local customs, rented a home with a three-generation family in Tay Ho District, and participated in cultural tours, often leading them with humor and insightful storytelling. She actively promotes the ao dai, rallying international friends to join processions wearing the traditional attire and contributing to discussions on its preservation and promotion.

Elsewhere, Uruguayan economist Martin Rama wandered Hanoi’s streets, marveling at its old quarters, balconies, and vibrant sidewalks. His love for the city inspired two books, Hanoi Promenade (2014) and For the Love of Hanoi (2023), the first of which won the Bui Xuan Phai Prize in 2014. Similarly, Serbian author Marko Nikolic penned the novel Church Street, drawing from his experiences in Vietnam.

In the digital age, Palestinian YouTuber Saleem Hammad, who has lived in Vietnam for 13 years, uses his platform to share the nation’s rich culture with the world. Saleem, who won first prize in the "Hanoi in Me" competition and served as Hanoi’s Peace Ambassador in 2019, collaborates with other creators to promote Vietnam’s history, culture, and people internationally.

Such contributions from international friends serve as a reminder of the value of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. As Jean Sebastien noted, one of the reasons he loves calligraphy is the opportunity to pass on traditional values—a sentiment that challenges us all to treasure and preserve the unique cultural identity of Vietnam.

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