Speaking Part 3:

Do comedians earn a lot of money?

As far as I’m concerned, it's difficult to give an average amount that comedians earn, because most

comedians perform primarily at open mics and they have little or no pay. In fact, most comedians who

make enough money to do it for a living have to travel throughout the country extensively. Until they

get their big break, most of them are not making huge amounts of cash. It is a lot of work.

However, famous comedian like Tu Long makes thousands of dollars a year, which is quite high in my

country.

Do actors earn a lot of money? (actors in general)

From my viewpoint, actors in general earn just about as much as comedians. The fact is that how much

an actor gets paid depends on their experience and the job. Sometimes actors are paid a bit of the

money up front, to live on while working on the movie, or during filming but they can increase their

income by taking part in advertisements or such.

Do you think these people deserve to earn so much money?

For some famous actors, they earn huge amount of money after only a single movie. Some people say

it’s unfair because even doctors cannot earn that much. However, I disagree with this. The amount

actors get paid are in essence determined by us, the public. For example, an actor like Tom Hanks didn't

start off earning millions of dollars when he first started out. He gained a fan base and worked at his

craft to a point where people will go and see a movie simply because they are a fan of his. It takes a lot

of work and time to reach the star level.

Do you think it's a good thing for people to imitate film stars / follow film stars?

As a matter of fact, many people, especially teenagers, imitate the movie stars’ clothes, accessories, and

even attempt to attend the same type of places. I suppose that this phenomenon brings about negative

influences. For example, teens who are fans of Miley Cyrus, was caught on film smoking marijuana, and

those who idolise Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, went to jail for drinking and drugs. Teens consider this

to be okay, and do not let instances like this hinder their idols’ likeability.

What forms of entertainment are most popular in your country? *

In fact, type of entertainment may be different depending on each age group and interest. But I believe

the forms of entertainment that dominated our society nowadays are movies and computer games.

Do you think children (or young people) can learn anything from movies?

I’m convinced to say that watching movies is an easy way to prepare children for life and there are a few

things children can learn. To give you some examples, children could learn the value of never giving

up and teamwork from watching Apollo 13. Or they could learn the value of facing their fears, taking

small steps to success, and finding and accepting help from The King’s Speech. Of course there are much

more children could learn.

What do you think are the similarities and differences between books and magazines?

Books and magazines are essentially different products and so there are many differences between

them. The most significant difference is that while books are generally from single authors, magazines

generally consist of content from multiple authors, all centred on a particular theme or topic. In the

second place, books contain more text than pictures. Magazines, on the other hand, often contain lots

of pictures.

What do you think are the similarities and differences between magazines and newspapers?

Obviously magazines are different from newspapers in many aspects. For example, in size, newspapers

are usually larger than magazines. In appearance, magazines are more colorful and have more pictures,

while newspapers appear dull and colorless.

Are there any differences between the types of magazines that males and females like to

read?

In my opinion, the types of magazines that men and women like to read differ considerably. To be more

specific, the top ten magazines for men currently on the newstand mostly talk about current affairs,

political commentary and smart editorial for success. Whereas for women, magazines are often about

fashion advice, dating tips, celebrity lives or something like that.

What can we learn from reading a newspaper?

Even with the emergence of the Internet, newspapers are still a big part of people’s daily life. For the

most part, people read them to get the latest news of events happening in their own country as well as

abroad. Besides, newspapers provide a wide range of information including advertisements on new

products, sales, job vacancies, restaurants, tours, cinema shows, courses of study available and a host of

many others.

What do you think books will be like in the future?

In my opinion, in many ways, books of the future will be substantially different to books of today. What I

imagine would happen is that we will see less actual books and instead, e-books will be much more

common. Many books will be digitalised and put on the Internet in the future.

Do you think there's much difference between reading a book (made of paper) and reading on

the internet?

As far as I’m concerned the biggest difference beween ebooks and print books is that ebooks are much

more flexible. More speficially, users can choose different font sizes and styles or let the devices turn the

page for you. I suppose this is one of the reasons that eBook sales have started to outweigh those of

hard copy sales on retail websites like Amazon.com.

Do you think there are any disadvantages from reading books online (or, reading E-books)?

In fact, right now, more and more people choose e-books to traditional types, since it can save their own

time and cash. However, people need to be aware of the disadvantages of e-books. The biggest concern

is eyestrain. Reading an ebook for a long period of time can harm your eyes in the long run.

What factors do you think are important in the design of a building?

As far as I know, in designing a building, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, it’s orientation. Good

orioentation would maximize the warming sun into your home during winter months and allow for the

reverse in summer, namely to reduce sun penetration and provide suitable shading. Secondly, designers

should look into the ventilation. This is to ensure that the home stays much cooler without the need for

air conditioning.

Why do some old buildings get demolished (torn down)?

The first reason is that they are unsafe. As a matter of fact, old buildings pose a substantial danger to

people’s lives, especially those who work or live in one because it can collapse anytime without giving

any warning.

Do you think old buildings should be preserved?

Some people say that it’s a waste of resource to preserve old buildings but I certainly do not think so.

One of the many reasons historical building must be preserved is the character they bring to a

neighbourhood or a place .They bring a certain charm to a neighbourhood that new buildings don’t.

Besides, historical establishments serve as reminders of the past. They make people understand what

the community has gone through and make them feel more connected to a place.

Are people's homes (in your country) today the same as people's homes were in the past (e.g.

30 to 60 years ago)?

From what I can see from books or on TV, there are stark differences between homes today and homes

several decades ago. Actually, homes of people in my country in the past are much simpler. They are

often made of natural materials like clay, hut, stone. In addition it’s very small. On the other hand,

people nowadays tend to build houses as big as possible.

What can (or, what do) people do to relieve the pressure of a very busy life? FQ

If some one hve a hectic lifestyle, I believe there are a few relaxation techniques that they can do

to bring their lives back into balance. The easiest thing people can do is make time for fun and

relaxation. It can be as simple as calling a good friend, write in a journal, play with pet, get a massage,

take a long bath or watch a comedy, the list can go on.

Do you think it's necessary for everyone to spend some time alone?

In my opinion, seeking solitude can actually be quite healthy. In fact, there are many physical and

psychological benefits to spending time alone. First of all, solitude allows you to reboot your brain and

unwind. Being by yourself with no distractions gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus, and think

more clearly. Moreover, solitude can enhance the quality of your relationships with others. You also

may come to appreciate your relationships more after you've spent some time alone.

Do you think advances in technology are giving people more free time, or less free time?

There are divergent opinions as to whether advances in technology are giving people more free time, or

less free time but I’m inclined to say it allows more freedom to our lives. The fact is that with

technology, people are now working more efficiently and it means it takes less time for people to

complete a task. As a result, they can have more time to relax or be with their families.

Some people say that people's leisure time is increasing. What do you think the impact of that

will be if this continues into the future?

I have to say that how increased leisure time affect our lives depends on whether leisure activities are

sedentary or not. If it is, it could lead to laziness, lack of motivation, lack of energy or boredom.

However, if people know how to sensibly spend their spare time, they can reduce their stress levels and

be healthier.

What are the most popular university courses in your country?

Nowadays, in my country, many students want to attend schools which are related to business or

finance. Besides, a large number of students choose to undertake study in subjects such as information

technology, art and design, to mention but a few.

What are the least popular courses?

In my opinion, agriculture is the field which hold the least attraction to students today. Besides

agriculture I can mention forestry or fishing. These are also not very popular courses or subjects to learn

in my country.

What do you suggest a country (or region) could do if there was a shortage of people trained

in a certain profession or skill?

In order to encourage students to study agriculture, there are a few things we can do. The first thing is

that the government should provide more scholarships or grants for students who choose to study in

this field. What can also be done in tackling the shortage of students in agriculture, I suppose, is to

develop agriculture by helping the farmers.

Education / The Acquisition of Knowledge

What are some of the different ways by which people gain knowledge?

As you can see, students nowadays are offered many opportunities regarding studying methods. Firstly

they can gain knowledge from books or textbooks. Together with this, the development in technology

has enabled them to get information from various kind of smart devices such as computer,

smartphones.

Do you think watching television is a good way to gain knowledge?

In my personal opinion, watching tv can be a great source of learning , given the fact that nowadays

there are a myriad of educational programs shown on TV and they can be watched at anytime.

Especially to children, television can be of general benefit. It can bring them into contact with aspects of

life they would not otherwise become aware of and it can also be used appropriately as a constructive

way to use their time .

Do you think it's important for people to have (broad) general knowledge?

As far as I’m concerned, the importance of general knowledge cannot be denied. To be a well-rounded

person, you need to know a little bit about a broad array of subjects and therefore you need to learn

general knowledge. The simplest example is that without general knowledge you really can't carry on

interesting an intelligent conversation with a broad base of people on general subject. So it affects you

even in everyday situation.

Do you think leisure time activities today are very different to those of the past (e.g., 20 to 30

years ago)?

From what I can see, I completely agree with this idea. In the past, people often read books or play

sports for leisure. Nowadays, the most common leisure time activities are playing Internet games,

listening to music or social networking. It’s obvious that leisure activity has become more sedentary

now.

Who do you think should be responsible for the construction of public entertainment facilities?

I’m tempted to say the government should be mainly responsible for constructing public entertainment

facilities but besides, private companies can do this too. In my opinion, it’s not important who should be

responsible.

Do you think the Internet is replacing cable TV?

With the spread of the Internet, more and more people are now gravitating from cable TV to the

Internet. I think this trend can be explained by many reasons. Take netflix for example. In Netflix, you

can get anything you may want to watch in a streaming fashion for under $10 a month. People would

not pay much more than that to subscribe to these hundreds of cable channels of which they might only

watch only a couple of channels.

Do you think films of today have changed, compared to those of the past (e.g., 10-30 years

ago)?

There is no doubt that films of today have changed enormously compared to those of the past 20 years.

Indisputably, what drives this change is the technology. More and more 3D movies are produced

nowadays and for most films in general, it looks more real because the effects are made much betters.

In general, what makes a good movie?

In my opinion, there are various traits that are needed for a movie to qualify as a good one. The most

important ones are that it’s able to provide good entertainment because after all, movie is one big part

of entertainment industry. Secondly, the movie has to be able to touch people’s feelings and be

educative. Other factors that make a movie good include the plot, the characters, the script and the

visual display of a movie.

Do you think the government should financially support the film (or entertainment) industry?

It may be true that the film industry might help enrich our culture but I’m inclined to say this reason only

does not justify the government’s support for it. Especially during the time when unemployment is

prevalent and illiteracy and poverty is not completely eradicated like now.

Do you think children today play the same games that children played in the past?

Well apparently no. The games that children play nowadays are considerably different from the games

children in the past played. In fact, traditional children games mainly involve physical strength.

Nowadays, you can give a kid a laptop and they would spend all day sitting in one place to play computer

games.

Do adults also play games?

As a matter of fact, around me, many adults play games, especially online games. In my opinion, playing

is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as

well.

What do you think are the benefits of playing games?

As far as I’m concerned, playing games can bring many benefits. Firstly, it can help you to improve brain

function. For example, Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge

the brain can help prevent memory problems, stimulate your imagination and ward off stress and

depression. Secondly, playing games can improve relationships and your connection to others.

Are there any problems associated with games addiction?

Although benefits of playing games are many, we should not ignore the problems that could arise if

someone is addicted to playing games. At home, game addiction can affect people’s marital problems as

the game addict neglect household responsibilities or spend less time with their kids. At work, when a

person is hooked on computer and video games, her work performance often suffers as they often stay

up all night to play games and often would become too tired to complete their tasks.

Which do you think is better, indoor or outdoor games?

In my opinion, outdoor games are much better than indoor games. Outdoor games help in reducing your

weight and overcome laziness, especially at the time when obesity is a major problem like nowadays. In

addition, there are also very fun activities nowadays that you can play outdoors. You dont need to look

for fun on the couch.

Why do you think computer games are so popular?

It can be said that video gaming has become people’s most favorite pastimes nowadays. The reason for

this fascination is simple. With video games, people can do something that they would not ordinarily be

able to do. For example, not many people can make it in a car racing world and even less can afford to

try. It only takes a game console, a TV and a racing game to feel like you are sitting behind the wheel of a

gadget packed racing car.

How do you think games might develop in the future?

For me, the question of how games will turn out in the future is rather a difficult one as technology is

developing well beyound our imagination and anything is possible. Personally, I imagine that we would

see the revival of 3D technology in games, Besides, I think games in the future would not be confined

within the screen of a phone or computer screen. With that said, it is still delightful to know that the

gaming industry is heading towards uncharted territory, always exploring and pushing the limit.

Do many people in your country have their own (private) garden?

In fact, not many people have their own private gardens in their houses. Eventhough gardening doesn’t

fit into the lifestyle of this technological era, I suppose people would like to have ones in their house.

However, the problem is, in my city, there is a serious lack of space and shortage of accomodation.

Why do many people want to have their own (private) garden?

In response to the question of why many people want to have their own garden, the answers are many.

The biggest reason is you can avoid serious caused by food. Even if you have the diseases, you can grow

some medicinal herbs to treat the diseases.

Do you think it's a good idea for a poor person to have their own garden (if possible)?

If possible, it’s a good idea for a poor person to have their own garden. If they have their own garden,

they can grow fruits and vegetables for their own consumption. It’s not only beneficial in the way that

they dont have to spend money on grocery in the supermarket but also in terms of health. It’s

undoubted that home-grown food is much healthier than supermarket food.

If you had your own garden, what would you grow in it?

From my point of view, there are some of the vegetables that I would consider growing if i had my own

garden. Firstly I would grow broccoli. Its a rich source of A and C. Besides, I would grow peas or beans.

Aside from being absolutely delicious, peas are high in fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins

A, B6, and C. Other vegetables I would grow are tomato, red bell pepper or carrot.

(In your country), what roles do flowers play in people's lives (or, in society)?

In my opinion, flower plays an important role in making our life more joyful and happy. People use

flowers as a gesture of showing their feeling for their loved ones. Besides, they are used in our day-to-

day life in several forms like as attractive decorations in houses in a vase or flowerpot, etc. which creates

a good environment. Futhermore, for various functions like wedding, baby showers, anniversaries, etc.,

flowers are also used for gifting.

Do any flowers have any particular significance (or meaning) in your culture (or, your

country)?

In my culture, lotus flower has been used to indicate different meanings in different circumstances.

Essentially, he lotus flower represents the clarity of heart as well as the mind. It also represents

strength, good luck, long life as well as honour and respect. In a relationship, it is normally used to mean

being totally in love with someone and being forgetful of all that has happened in the past between

you.

What is the importance of water?

It’s undeniable that water is important to the mechanics of the human body. The example that I

can give you is the body cannot work without it, just as a car cannot run without gas and oil.

Firstly, water serves as a lubricant in digestion and almost all other body processes. Secondly,

water regulates body temperature. It helps control over-heating of the body by sweating.

Do you think water resources need to be protected?

Definitely, I would say yes. The water resources need to be protected because the supply of fresh water

is scarce. From what I know, there is still no method to desalinate sea water and many people fear that

fresh water will run out soon in the future.

How can people save water?

When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. There are hundreds of

things we can do to save water. First of all, don’t leave the tap running needlessly. Secondly, You don’t

need to take shorter showers necessarily, but you can install some hardware that will help cut the water

use every time you shower.

What are some examples of ways that water is wasted?

In fact, many people take water for granted because it’s available to us all the time. Water is wasted by

many ways. Washing the car is one of the examples. The other example is letting the taps and faucets

leak without bothering to fix the problem.

Do you think water pollution is a serious problem?

Water pollution is a serious issue in Vietnam. According to the statistics, barely over half of the

population are able to acquire unpolluted and hygenic water. Water pollution can result in a number of

problems. It could not only damage people’s health but also contaminate crops and kill other organisms.

I suppose the problem of water pollutioin should be solved as soon as posible.

What do suggest could be done to tackle this problem?

There are some things we can do to keep the water clean. Firstly, we should dispose of chemicals and

waste properly. Secondly, we should use environmentally friendly cleaning products, pesticides or

fertilisers.

Do you think everyone should learn to swim?

In my opinion, swiming is not merely a sport to keep you fit and healthy. We’ve all read the statistics

regarding child obesity being on the increase so in this case, swimming is a healthy form of exercise that

is low impact and provides a full body workout. Additionally, swimming is also an important safety

precaution, considering the fact that there is a high number of drowning deaths every year.

What are some jobs (types of work) that people do near or on the ocean?

For some ocean enthusiasts, there are some types of jobs that allow you to remain close to the coastline

or aquatic life forms. The first job I could mention is marine biologist. However, you need to have an

advanced degree. On top of this, you can also be a marine mammal trainer or dive instructor, surfing

instructor or coast guard.

Why do you think some people like to have a job near or on the sea?

I think mainly it’s a matter of preference. People like to have a job near the sea mainly because they like

the atmosphere or they like being close to aquatic life. This I can tell you exactly.

Do you think it’s important to know about other cultures?

I suppose it’s important to educate yourself about different cultures of the world and not just shut

yourself into your own country. Learning about other cultures very interesting, besides, it can help you

interact with people of other cultures more easily. In business transactions, you can avoid things that

are considered offensive or embarassing situations.

How can we benefit from learning about other cultures?

I believe that understanding other cultures has broad benefits. Learning about other cultures helps you

empathize with different kind of people. You will get a better understanding of how life is for other

people and you will acquire skills that will allow you to find solutions when you are in unfamiliar

situations.

What do you think is the best way to learn about other cultures?

It’s obvious that the best way to learn about other culture is to actuallt travel there and experience life

there. You can also learn from books or tv programs if your work or family situation does not allow you

to travel there.

Do you think it’s easier to learn about other cultures today than it was before?

As far as I’m concerned, I completely agree with this view. All people have to do to learn about other

cultures is to turn on tv or turn on the computer and get on the net. Nowadays, it’s impossible to be

ignorant because information and knowledge are everywhere.

Do you think it’s better to learn a foreign language in a foreign country or in your home

country?

In my opinion, it depends on what level you are at. For example, if you are just a beginner, I think it’s

better to take a language course in your home country. The reason is your teacher would be able to

explain things in your own language and that you would understand more. On the other hand, if you are

already at intermediate or advanced level, it’s better to learn in a foreign country.

What do you know about globalisation?

My understanding of the term globalisation is that the world become smaller and the exchange of

culture or language is efficient and effortless. I’m convinced to say that globalisation is a good thing

because rich countries and reach and help poor countries more easily. However, many people are

concerned about the loss of culture of smaller countries and there are reasonable grounds for this

concern.

What kinds of people become famous these days?

Obviously it’s the people who work in entertainment industry, or in particular musicians, singers or

actors. They became famous automatically because they always appear on tv programs or in

advertisements. Besides, politicians who are in top positions, always interact with the press also, so they

are also famous

What are the good things about being famous?

The greatest advantage is that celebrities are usually very rich and they have easier lifes than other

people. They live in beautiful enormous houses mantained by housekeepers, gardeners, cooks and many

servants. Secondly, being a celebrity brings them such privileges as they do not have to pay in

restaurants, they can travel a lot around the world and they can also afford the best clothes and drive

the latest models of fast and luxurious cars.

What are the disadvantages?

Despite the advantages I just mentioned, being famous involve a lot of disadvantages. For example, they

can´t go to the same places that the ordinary people usually go to without having many 'paparazzi'

behind them. They are like a public property and do not have privacy. Besides, famous people are

constantly under stress to achieve things that their fans expect them to achieve. As a result, many of

them are pushed in alcoholism, drug-addiction and depression.

Why are people interested in the lives of celebrities?

In my opinion, people are interested in celebrity news because it gives them an opportunity to let their

minds indulge in a fantasy world that is much more glamorous than their own. They fantasize about the

celebrity's world in order to take them away from their own humdrum lives.

Do you think famous people deserve to be well-paid?

From the way I look at it, I dont think that they completely deserve to be paid much higher than average

people. However, the fact is many people who are well-paid don’t deserve it either. At least I suppose

they don’t do anything malicious to other people, like being a ganster or smuggler.

How do people make new friends?

In fact, many of us struggle to make new friends. Work, family, and other commitments can all get in the

way and people tend to be with themselves. However, if people feel lonely, it's never too late to make

new friends .What they should do in order to form a new friendship are volunteering, taking a class or

joining a club, attending some lectures ot public activities.

Do you think making friends on the internet is a good idea?

If you ask me, I’m not against the idea of having an Internet friend because in my experience, I have had

very good friendship with someone online. However, I would not whole heartedly recommend that you

should get online to meet new friends because there are so many dangers. Many people on the net are

malicious, and once they get enough of your personal details, they would cheat or do things that harm

you.

Why do people have friends?

As far as I know, the need to have a friend is instinctual in everybody. In fact, good friendships improve

all aspects of people’s life. It provides comfort and joy because you know that there’s always someone

who would always be there for you. Besides, a friend provides companionship, and prevents loneliness

and isolation.

What are some differences between a good friend and a "bad friend"?

It’s not hard to distinguish between a good friend and a bad friend. There are some signs of a

bad friend and you should not feel regretful to dump them. Firstly, they are people who can’t

be bothered to remember when your birthday is, or some simple but important thing to you

like what it is you do at work these days, or what the name of your crush or how much money

she or he owes you. Secondly, you shouldnt hang out regularly with people who can’t stop

correcting you and consistently make you feel stupid. A good friend, on the other hand, would

never do such things. They care about you and accept you for who you are, good or bad.

How (or why) do people sometimes lose contact with friends?

As far as I’m concerned, friends drift apart due to many reasons. Maybe some people change and they

aren’t the same person they used to be before. This could very well bring a friendship to an end.

Besides, moving to a different place is also another reason. They can have their friends’ numbers or

emails or contact on emails but you know, as an old saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.

What do you think are the advantages of maintaining a friendship for a long time?

While developing and maintaining a friendship takes time and effort, the many benefits of having a close

friend make it a valuable investment. The first benefit is that a a friend of a long time can elevate your

mood and boost your outlook. Secondly, they help you to reach your goals because they understand

what you really want to do in life and this will increase your chance os success. They will also help you to

reduce your stress and depression through tough times, whether it is serious illness, the loss of a job or

loved one, the breakup of a relationship, or any other challenge in life.

How can a person maintain a friendship for a long time?

In my opinion, what’s important is not how a person can maintain a friendship for a long time

and the real question is whether a person want to keep a lasting friendship. There are a

hundred of things we can do to maintain a friendship and it’s not hard to do so. For example,

you can just simply call them on the phone regularly or chat with them on facebook.

Is tourism an important industry in vietnam?

I think I can say tourism in Vietnam is a significant component of the modern

Vietnamese economy. In my research on tourism industry in Vietnam, I learned that in

2012, we received more than 7 million international arrivals and tourist arrivals continue to increase

year by year. Actually, we have a long-term plan to diversify the tourism industry, which can bring

needed foreign exchange into our country.

Does tourism have any bad effect on your hometown?

In fact, the repid development of tourism also bring about negative effects. As I know, many people are

fored to leave out of their old homes in order that they can construct new roads and facilities. In this

case, it’s the poor people who are disadvantaged the most.

How have hotels changed in recent years?

Compared to the past, I suppose the standard of hotel nowadays has risen considerably. Now, most of

hotels have nice facilities and we have more options in choosing the type of rooms, locations and prices.

Speaking of hotel service, it has become better as well. Employees are now aware of the importance of

treating guests well.

What facilites should a hotel have?

Some people might disgree with me but I suppose the most important facilies that every hotel should

have is the availability of the Internet. For me, when I travel, I always want to let my family know where

I am and tell them about my situation. Other than this, a hotel should have a water heater and air

conditioner.

What kind of people are best suited to work in a hotel?

In order to become a successful hotel employee, people need to have some characteristics. Firstly, they

have to be able to pay attention to many guests at the same time. Secondly, they should always

demonstrate a good attitude and behavior no matter whether they are having a good day or not.

Thirdly, they should know how to deal with customer’s complaints in a smart way.

What kind of people go to the libraries most often?

The fact is that library is not restricted to any kind of people specifically. However I would say students

use the library most frequently. Among all students, university students, rather than primrary or

secondary students, most often go here to do research.

Do you think library is a good place for reading?

In my opinion, libraries are important. And the reason for that is they enable people to gain information

of numerous aspects but particularly in regard to the history and culture of society, that builds their

personality and careers. Besides the information, they provide people with free opportunities for

learning and also enable people to appreciate and understand the word around us.

Do you think library should be made free of charge?

From my point of view, if all library were free of charge, it would very nice and more people would visit

library. However, I dont think it’s a good idea to put into practise. People have to pay a small fee or

some deposit when they borrow some books so that they are careful not to damage it when return it to

the library. Having said this, I have to make clear that the government at the same time should subsidise

the library so users dont have to have exhorbitant costs.

How do you think library will change in the future?

Regarding the future of library, I would picture a future where the influence of technology will be even

stronger and more widespread than it is now. In the library, I would fantasize that people will no longer

need to read and there would be robots to read the texts for them. With the progress in technology

nowadays, I think this is totally possible.

What can be done to make libraries more attractive?

There are several things that we can do to increase the popularity of libraries in the public. The first

thing is to enlarge the book reserve of course. Second to this, library needs be decorated with neutral

colors and simple furniture to maximise the space and light.

How has the Internet affected the library?

It can be easily seen that the Internet has reduced the number of people who go to the library for

information as it provides easy access to information of many kinds. Eventhough people should be

aware that not all the information on the net is right, I think the Internet has facilitated people

significantly in their learning process.

Do many people in Vietnam like to have a pet?

Honestly, I raised a pet myself at home but I dont think many people do the same thing as me. I suppose

less than one third of the population have a pet at home .The reason for why many people don’t like to

have one is that they are busy with work and can’t take care of the pet when they are away.

What kinds of pet are most popular in your country?

In fact, I think dogs and cats are by far the most popular pets in my country. A lot of people keep cats

because they provide good company, and people keeps dogs because it can protect their properties.

What are the advantages of having a pet?

In fact, there are great physical and mental health benefits of having a pet. To be more specific, pets can

help you make healthy lifestyle changes by increasing excercise, reducing anxiety, providing

companionship and helping their owners meet new people.

What are the disadvantages of having a pet?

I believe that having a pet at home can cause some trouble and inconveniences for many people. For

example, t o be able to take care of dogs, you should consider dedicating much of your time grooming

and providing the best pet products for them. Keeping a dog is also a bit expensive. You may be required

to purchase accessories, wholesale pet products, food supplies, and other things. Another thing people

should take into consideration before adopting a pet is that hey may develop some forms of sickness so

you need to take them to do periodic check ups with the veterinarian.

Do you think there should be laws to protect the welfare of pets?

I dont really have an asnwer to this question. I suppose having a law can be good, but we dont

necessarily need them. The fact is that most of the people who decided to raise a pet are responsible

enough to treat them well.

What is the purpose of having zoos?

In fact, zoos have a wide range of interests and purposes. Firstly, zoo is constructed to satisfy public

demand and interest, as well as arouse people’s awareness about animals. Zoo is also a place where

scientists an people involved can conduct studies of animal, protect them and prevent them from going

extinct. Besides it can be said that zoo is a tourist attraction.

How could zoo be improved?

As a matter of fact, zoo is not a popular place to visit in my country and there are things people can do

to improve the situation. The most effective way is to install more facilities and equipment in the zoo

and keep it clean.

Is agriculture (or, farming) very important in your country?

As far as I know, agriculture accounts for approximately one fifth of Vietnam's gross domestic

product (GDP). However, agricultural employment was much higher than agriculture’s share of

GDP, and approximately 60 percent of the employed labor force was engaged in agriculture. So

for all these statistics, I suppose agriculture is very important in my country.

What crops are grown?

In vietnam, Rice is the main staple of the Vietnamese diet, and it occupies more than 90% of

arable land. In addition to rice, we also cultivate some fruit trees like lychee, mango, grapefruit

and so on

Would you like to be a farmer?

I was born in the city and the fact is I dont think I have good knowledge in farming. However, as

I see it, farmers in my country have to do laborious, back-breaking work for most of the year so

becoming a farmer is not my favourite choice of career.

What difficulties do you think you would have if you had your own farm?

The biggest challenge that every farmer or I myself if I had my own farm would face is the

unpredictability of the weather pattern. In fact every year in the news I heard farmers lose

crops because of extreme weather and even there is warning in advance, there’s nothing they

can do to help the situation.

Do you have any plants growing at home?

At the moment I’m growing some bean plants in my balcony. It’s a gift from my friend so I

suppose I have to grow it, otherwise he would think I dont appreciate his gift.

Do you think it's a good idea for people to grow some of their own food at home, if

possible?

In my opinion, eating home-grown food offers a host of health benefits. Growing and eating

your own fruits and vegetables can be one of the healthiest choices you can make because of

how quickly they travel from being ‘live’ in the ground, to reaching our plate. Unlike

supermarket food, there is no loss of nutrients due to travelling times, time spent in storage

and then time on the shelf. Besides the other apparent advantage is that it’s much cheaper to

grow than to buy it at stores.

How do you think farming might change in the future?

There are going to be a few changes, but I would like to imagine that robot farmers are

the future of agriculture. The use of robot will definitely bring higher efficiency and puts an end

to some of the most back-breaking jobs around the farm. Additionally, other issues with

traditional farming include the heavy use of pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides will be

significantly reduced.

How do you think more young people could be encouraged to become farmers?

Many young people are hostile to the thought of becoming farmers and I think it’s

understandable given the difficulties you can face while working in a farm. In my judgment, the

most effective way to encourage people to become farmers is giving them financial incentives

or provide help when natural disaster occurs.

What type of clothes do you like?

I like comfortable clothing, especially if it isn't very expensive. I don't buy clothes very often, and while I

like to dress up, I do so relatively rarely as more casual garments are easier to keep clean and are more

comfortable and practical in everyday-use. I prefer dark colours, and I dislike jeans. Honestly, I never let

other people influence me when it comes to my choice of clothes, I stubbornly stick to what I like.

How do people choose what style of clothing to buy?

People choose clothes differently. I suppose for me, I just buy clothes because they are functional or the

clothes that suit me. But for other people, some buy clothes because it looks like what their favourite

movie star or singer wears.

Do you think the brand of clothing is important?

As long as the clothes are made of good quality material and look good on me, I would buy them

without caring whether they are from famous brands. In fact, famous brand clothes are often very

expensive and out of my reach. I dont need to skip breakfast to save money to buy them when there is

always a cheap durable alternative.

Why do some people like to buy brand-name clothes?

In my opinion, some people can afford to buy expensive clothes and they do that to show off their

wealth or to fulfil their psychological need that they have to look stylish and hip in front of other people.

For somebody else, they buy brand-name clothes simply because they assume they have better styles,

are made in better fabric or more fashionable.

Do you think it’s good that people follow fashion trend?

To be frank, I think there is no point in following fashion trend. If you follow fashion trend, you would

waste money so that you can look like anybody else. Besides, fashion costs you a fortune. Every year,

fashion would change, your old clothes will probably end up in some deep dark place never to be seen

again and your hard-earned money would go to waste.

Do you think school students or factory workers have to wear uniform?

I suppose the obligation to wear uniform has both advantages and disadvantages. On the good side, it

reduces the competition in the work place or at school, therefore people are able to concentrate more

on work or study. However, the bad side to this is that uniform is often quite uncomfortable to wear and

it doesn’t look stylish. This is the reason why many people don’t like to wear uniform.

What are the different kinds of letters that the post office delivers?

Well the post office delivers a number of kinds of letters. Firstly it’s bill that people have to pay. Then

there are a lot of junk mail or advertisement. Birthday cards and christmas cards are sometimes sent

from the post office too.

Do you think it’s better for apply for a job by letter or by email?

It’s hard to answer this question because it really depends on the company. Some do their recruitment

by email so you have to apply by email but some other companies prefer a hand written letter. I suppose

applicants have to follow whatever is convinient for the company that they are applying for.

What is the most difficult letter to write?

Honestly for me there is no such as an easy letter to write. But I suppose the hardest one would be some

kind of a love letter, in which you have to tell the other person that you don’t want to date them or go

out with them. Somehow you have to word things very carefully not to hurt their feelings or create any

ill will.

What are the advantages of emails?

In my opinion, email is an effective means of communication for business and personal use. The first

advantage that I can mention is email can distribute information quickly to many people for the time it

takes to email one person, regardless of how short or how long the message should be. Besides, you

can attach large documents and other files with a click of a button. Another thing that is worth

mentioning is that it doesnt use any paper, so it’s good for the environment

What are the disadvantages of emails?

Although email is a blessing in many situations, it has some disadvantages too. In the first place,

wessages may be misinterpreted easily. Using emails also means there is less social contact with people

and less hand-writing practice, which can result in the fact that social skills won't be as well developed.

Do you think handwriting will still be an important skill in the future?

In my opinion, there will come a time in the future when handwriting will completely disappear. This is

not a difficult thing to predict due to the rapid development of technology. More and more people

nowadays have already put pen and paper aside and instead they use their computers. So this trend is

very likely to continue in the future.

What are the advantages of saving money?

In my opinion, saving money actually comes with some great benefits. First of all, you’ll feel safer. By

saving, you’ll never have to feelfeel threatened by the bad economy again. The other benefit of saving

money is that it lets you treat yourself and your family. Whether you are saving money to buy

something for yourself or to surprise a member of your family, once you are actually able to do it, you

will be so happy. So in short saving money has both physical and psychological benefits.

Who do you think places more importance on saving money, men or women?

Between men and women, I’m inclined to say women are better with money than men. They have the

natural tendency to be more conservative and precautious when it comes to investing money, and they

would not spend money on things that they think are not important.

Why do some people find it hard to save?

People have different explanations for why it’s so hard for them to save. One reason that I can mention

is that people might lack self-control. Maybe they promised themselves not to buy many things before

going shopping, but then when they actually get to the shop, they got caught buy how attractive things

are and give in to the temptation. Honestly it happened to me too

Are credit cards used very much in your country?

In my country, in fact, credit card has become more and more popular. However, in everyday situation

like going to the supermarket, people still have preference for paying with cash.

Which is better for saving money, using a credit card or using cash?

I believe whether people are able to save money or not depends not on whether they use the credit

card or cash to pay for things. In fact, I know there are a few things people who have credit card can do

to reduce their expense and from that they can save money.

Why do many (young) people (women) like to go shopping?

Women like to shop for many reasons. Firstly, it is their favourite pastime. Some women do not go to

work and somehoe they have to find a way to fill the rest of the day, which indow shopping also comes

to their rescue when they have ample free time at hand. Secondly, it helps when they feel low. Shopping

can be considered the best therapies available to combat depression.

Have computers changed much over the years?

It’s obvious that computers change everyday and today, it’s very different from the first computer. As

far as I know, computer used to be huge and it could take up the whole room. However, nowadays, it’s

so small that it can fit into your pocket. Besides, computer has become much more sophisticated.

What are some disadvantages when people rely so much on computers?

To some extent, depending on computer is not a good thing. In fact, many adults and kids are addicted

to computers and spend their maximum time on computers, which is not good for health. People also

have lost their out door activities and have increased risk for certain diseases because of computer.

Do you think we can live without electrical appliances?

I don’t think people would be put in a life and death situation when there is no electrical appliance to

use. However, I would say people’s lives would become much harder if they suddenly disappear because

people nowadays have become so used to and dependent on machines to do many things.

How do you think electrical appliances will develop in the future?

I reckon that in the future, there will be more electrical appliances to be invented and soon, people

would not have to bothered to do some jobs such as cooking, cleaning the floor or repairing things

around the house.

What do you think is the most useful thing that people have ever discovered?

In my opinion, the most useful thing that people have ever discovered is electricity. Electricity is very

important because it enable us to use almost all kinds of machines such as television sets, ovens, air

conditioners, fans and many more, which make our life easier. Electricity also enables us to see easily

during the night and when in dark places.It’s no exaggeration to say that with electricity, life has taken

on a new dimension.

How do the different seasons affect the lifestyles of Chinese people?

In fact, in the place where I live, the weather doesn’t always turn extreme or change drastically. For

example, in winter the temperature never get below 0 and in summer, sometimes it can go as high as 40

degree but that’s it. Apparently, people in my city need to have different kinds of clothes for each

season. Also because in summer it’s very hot, not many people go outside. They prefer to spend time

indoor, especially in the rooms that have air conditioner.

How do different seasons affect the way people feel?

As far as I know, the truth is the climate and weather can certainly affect people’s wellbeing. It’s a fact

that wintertime can bring you down. Many people suffer from drops in mood levels.

Besides, it’s not surprising that violent crime rises with the heat. Climate plays a role, alongside other

factors in making people more violent.

Do you think fighting global climate change is a governental responsibility or the responsibility

of individuals?

In my opinion, both the government and individual should make a concerted effort in fighting global

climate change. However, between the two, government should shoulder more responsibility because

they can make decisions that can change the whole situation.

What are the major public holidays and festivals in Vietnam?

The biggest festival is certainly Spring festival. There are also other traditional festivals like Mid autumn

festival, grave sweeping day, insect killing day. In addition, people in my country also celebrate

international holidays like International women’s day or Labor Day.

What do people in your country do when they have holidays?

They do many things but most of the time, they would reunite with their families or for those who live

with their families, they would hang out or have parties with their friends. I have to mention that eating

plays a big part in holidays. During holidays, everybody eats many kinds of food.

Why do Vietnamese like spring festival?

The reasons are many but I have to mention that it’s a big part of the tradition. Everyone, whether they

are working or studying, has a long time off to relax and not worry about meeting deadline, so its a time

for family to get together and enjoy each other’s company. Also, its the celebration of a new year, giving

thanks to the last one and wishing for prosperity in the new one.

How have the lives of senior citizens in Vietnam changed in recent years?

Between now and 20 years ago, we can see many change in the lives of senior citizens. Of course things

have become much easier for them. They are now taken good care of by their children and some of

them can still live independent lives with the support from the government or retirement benefits.

Would you like to live with the elderly?

My answer would be somewhere between yes and no honestly. On the positive side, you can learn a lot

of things and be advised on a lot of aspects in life. However, they can get upset very easily by something

you say that you are not aware of.

What are some main problems facing the elderly in your country nowadays?

I don’t think the elderly have to face many problems but some of which I can mention are the problem

with their health. For some old people who are not entitled to health care benefits for some reasons,

this could be a big problem. Besides, retirement is difficult because financially, the small pensions that

they are given are not enough to sustain their lives and also emotionally, they would always have the

feeling of worthlessness.

What role do the elderly play in the family?

For the most part, old people play the role of babysitter for their grandchildren. In fact, many old people

take pleasure in doing this so it cannot be considered a hard job to take on. Other roles that they play

are moral supporter and counselors for younger member in the family. Whenever a younger member in

the family has to go through tough times, the old members would motivate and give sensible advices to

them.

Do the elderly in your country have a lot of influence in the lives of their children and

grandchildren?

As you probably know, in my country, the old are well respected. It’s a long established culture in my

country that grandparents play an important role in each family unit.