The position of women in Vietnamese society

In short

• The discussion asks how the role of women is changing within Vietnamese society, what tradition means to us and where we define our own path. It is a conversation about identity, expectations and women’s strength.
• The conversation is moderated by Trang Do, an influencer and author of the autobiographical book Asiatka v Česku. Very different experiences and perspectives meet at one table.
• Influencer and creator Chili Ta brings a view of the modern female role.
• Court interpreter and translator Julie Lien Vrbová studied and researched the cognitive linguistics of Vietnamese in Hanoi from 2011 to 2017. She also works on the Vietnamese diaspora in Europe and modern literature.
• Linguist Ondra Slowik, a specialist in Vietnamese culture, also brings a personal perspective through the life story of his wife, who grew up in a Vietnamese orphanage.
• The discussion was a side programme to The Ceramic Heart (Keramické srdce) exhibition by comic artist Bao Quyen and ceramicist and product designer Veronika Le. Pairing the exhibition with a conversation shows that identity and women’s experience can be explored through words as well as art.
• Something to reflect on: which expectations do you place on yourself and which come from outside – from family, people around you or social media? Tradition does not have to be all or nothing; you can choose what you want to carry on.
• If the pressure of expectations wears you out over time, it is fine to seek support. The Nevypusť duši website offers an overview of information and help.