It's Saturday again. I don't have any task that needs to be done so.... I guess I'll take a day off and sleep the whole day. At least, a peaceful day IS what I expected. But it's life and there are many things that don't go according to our intentions.

It's 6:27 AM, I was just enjoying my dream when suddenly, I woke up because someone is calling me.

- Who is calling me this soon? - I asked myself.

I picked the phone up and answered with a sleepy tone:

- Mor..ning... This is Andrew on.. the phone....

- Oh hey, good morning. Are you free today? And tomorrow too?

- Well... Ye-

- Great! I got a task in History that requires me to write an essay about our ethnic cultures. Ashu and Tomi are here too.

- Wait.. wha.. Who?

- Yep, both of them are in my team and while we were discussing how we can take information to write this essay, she told me that you could help us with it.

- Huh...? Essay? I don't... know... if I could........

Yeah... I just fell asleep while on the phone. I was trying to have a day off and rest but now I have to help these two. By the way, the caller is one of my friends too. Her name's Hali. Back when we were studying at secondary school, we became best friends since 7th grade and always helping each other. Look like Ashu got a new friend.

My phone rang again, and I fell right down the floor. It isn't that hurt that bad because I have a carpet though.

- What?

- Hey! Let us in before you start doing anything, okay?

- Um... Okay.

I took my keys and go down the stairs in a sleepy state. I opened the door, they came in, and I just crashed on the couch, ready to catch some Zs. Their soft calls and pokes, attempted to rouse me, but my slumber held strong.

- [Tomi]: I think he won't be waking up soon.

- [Hali]: I think so. He works a lot throughout the weeks though. Let him have a bit more sleep.

After that, they head to the kitchen and prepare breakfast for all four of us. I reckon they have a great time cooking together. When I woke up, the happiness on their faces after finishing are quite evident. They call me over to eat, and we chat while enjoying the breakfast they whipped up together.

- [Hali]: So, where will we go to take information?

- [Andrew]: Hmm, I think the Ethnic Museum in Hanoi will be the place.

- [Tomi]: Hanoi? How exciting! I haven't gone there for a long time!

- [Andrew]: Woah, calm down now. You're gonna choke if you talk while having food in your mouth.

- [Tomi]: My bad. I got a little too excited there.

- [Andrew]: It's alright. Hey Ashu, you there? Hello??

- [Ashu]: Ah, my apologies. I zoned out for a moment there.

- [Andrew]: Ok then. Go pack your stuff after eating, okay?

- Okay!

After finishing our meal, excitement fills the air as we gather to pack our stuff for the journey ahead. We load our luggage on my sister car and start heading towards Hanoi. In the car, we happily chat and sing along to our favorite tunes, the road stretching out before us like a promise of endless possibilities. The engine's rhythmic hum accompanies our laughter, creating a soundtrack to our trip. Time swiftly passes as our lively chatter and singing create a soundtrack for the journey. Before we realize it, we reach the vibrant city of Hanoi. As we venture into the bustling streets and immerse ourselves in the colorful culture, the heart of Hanoi pulsates with energy. From the historic landmarks to the bustling markets, every corner tells a story.

We arrive at my Vinhomes apartment to take a break. It's been a while since I last enjoyed the breathtaking view of Hanoi from the 27th floor here. The cityscape unfolds before us, a mosaic of lights and life, offering a serene pause in our journey.

- [Ashu]: Wow! The scenery here is so nice!

- [Andrew]: Indeed. It's been some time when I last saw this. How calm and relaxing.

- [Hali]: Yeah, the park, the lakes, and the places for the residents to hang out and play over there looks fun to play at.

- [Tomi]: This is Vinhomes after all. I'm quite impressed that you have an apartment here, Andrew.

- [Andrew]: Oh, it's nothing. Besides, I usually come here during the summer holidays to stay. But due to the pandemic, I can't come here last summer.

- [Tomi]: I understand that. The pandemic messed everything up. I missed out on a lot of fun activities last summer because of it.

- [Ashu]: I hope it gonna go soon. Anyway, are we going to eat somewhere first?

- [Hali]: Oh! I heard that there is a restaurant called King BBQ Deli here, right?

- [Andrew]: Well, not bad. King BBQ have a lot of foods for us to eat. Tastes amazing too.

- [Tomi]: So, it's set! What are you guys waiting for? Let's go!

We came down and walk to the restaurant, it's not far away from my apartment though. The interior of this place is clean and gives off a wonderfully cozy vibe. We take our seats, and not long after, the waiter arrives with the menu. The array of choices here seems endless, ranging from salads, grilled beef to seafoods, even.

- [Tomi]: These dishes look delicious.

- [Andrew]: We'll have this Hotpot combo and this Grilled Beef combo, please.

- [Waiter]: Of course. Please enjoy your stay while we bring you all your foods.

Not long after, the waiters bring out our orders. The aroma of grilled beef intensifies our hunger.

- [Waiter]: Here are your orders. Enjoy your meal!

- [Ashu]: These dishes smell so good! I can't wait to try these.

- [Andrew]: Huh, these tastes better than I expected.

- [Hali]: Soooo tasty! Can we eat here again?

- [Andrew]: If you guys want to, then okay.

We have a great time eating here. After we finish and return to the apartment, everyone enjoys a restful sleep. By around 2:15 PM, we gradually awaken from our midday repose, the soft glow of afternoon sunlight casting a gentle warmth. With lazy stretches and the remnants of sleep in our eyes, we prepare to commence our journey to the museum. It's not far away though, just a quick 18-minute drive from our apartment.

Upon arriving at its grand entrance, adorned with intricate details, we feel a surge of excitement.

- [Mai]: Hey there! I'm Mai, your guide for today's trip. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

- [Ashu]: Woah! This museum is HUGE!

- [Andrew]: Yep, this hall is huge. But this is only the first destination of our trip.

- [Ashu]: Wait. What do you mean "first"?

- [Andrew]: Well... If you don't know, the size of this museum is three to four times larger than this hall. That's also means this place is larger than you thought.

- [Hali]: Oh wow. Miss Mai, who are these?

- [Mai]: This is Tai - Kadai peoples. Tai peoples are the populations who speak or formerly spoke the Tai languages. But you know, cultures within the Tai - Kadai group can vary. From hill tribes in Northern Thailand to the Lao people along the Mekong River, it's a patchwork of traditions and stories. As of a while back, there were several hundred thousand Tai-Kadai people in Vietnam. They're spread across different regions, with concentrations in places like Lai Châu, Lào Cai, and Điện Biên provinces.

- [Tomi]: Interesting...

- [Mai]: Next is Hmong - Dao peoples. So, the Hmong people have a pretty cool history. They're originally from China but migrated to different parts of Southeast Asia over the years. One interesting thing is their New Year celebration called "Hmong New Year" – it's a vibrant fest with traditional clothing, music, and dances that reflect their cultural identity. Now, the Dao people, they're spread across different regions too. Each Dao subgroup has its own unique customs. Some are known for their silver jewelry and intricate craftwork, like the Red Dao women who are famous for their red headdresses and beautifully embroidered clothes.

- [Mai]: Here is Sinos - Tibetans peoples. Imagine this linguistic family as a massive tree with different branches. At the trunk, you've got the Chinese languages, standing tall and diverse – Mandarin, Cantonese, and others. Now, as you follow the branches, you hit Tibetan languages, doing their thing up in the Himalayas. Picture monks chanting and prayer flags fluttering – it's a whole vibe! Then, there's the Burmese branch, adding its own spice in Myanmar. They've got a script that's elegant and intricate, like a dance of characters. But wait, there's more! You've got the Karen languages, spoken by the Karen people in Myanmar and Thailand, and other smaller branches with languages like Lolo-Burmese, Karenic, and whatnot. It's like a linguistic jungle out there! And the crazy part? Despite all these linguistic differences, there's this cultural thread tying them together. Shared traditions, historical legacies, and a touch of spiritual magic – that's the Sino-Tibetan vibe for you!

- [Mai]: Then, this is Mon - Khmers peoples. So, check this out: the Mon people have this ancient history, dating way back to when they ruled over parts of Myanmar. They've got this unique script that's been around for centuries, and their culture is a blend of tradition and influence from neighboring societies. Now, shift the spotlight to Cambodia, where the Khmer people live. Khmer is like the rockstar language there, and it's known for its rich literary and artistic traditions. Angkor Wat, the epic temple, is in the heart of Khmer culture. It's not just a building; it's a testament to their language's beauty and complexity. But the Mon-Khmer adventure doesn't stop there! There are these other groups, like the Pearic and Bahnaric people, sprinkled across Southeast Asia, each with their own tales to tell. Isn't it wild how languages are like the threads weaving together the stories of these incredible communities?

- [Tomi]: Yeah, I agree. It's interesting how peoples from different places came together to make a community like this.

- [Mai]: It's sure do! Now, moving forward to Cham - Hoa peoples. The Cham people, historically, were all about trade and maritime activities. They were like the ancient seafarers of Southeast Asia, connecting with different cultures and leaving their mark. And you can spot their influence in things like the architecture of their temples, which is seriously breathtaking. Think intricate carvings and unique designs! And the Hoa peeps? They've got a knack for business and thriving in tight-knit communities. Many of them are involved in trade, and they've brought their distinct Chinese traditions to the Vietnamese tapestry. It's like this beautiful cultural mosaic!

- [Andrew]: The more I listen, the more I think there's some Chinese influence in some parts of Vietnam.

- [Mai]: You're correct! Vietnam is like this incredible blend of diverse cultures. Especially in northern Vietnam, you can feel those vibes. It has had a significant impact on the culture, cuisine, and even the architecture in places like Hanoi. It's like a cultural crossroads, you know?

- [Andrew]: Yeah. Hey, are you guys keeping up with the flow?

- [Hali]: We sure do. There's a lot of things to use in our essay.

- [Mai]: Alright, it's time for you to move on to the building over there. Let's go!

After a short walk, we came to this pointy and curvy-looking building near the main hall.

- [Mai]: Welcome to The Kite. This place showcases cultures beyond Vietnam which includes Southeast Asian cultures, Indonesian glass paintings, a glimpse of Asia, and around the World just to name a few.

- [Tomi]: That's actually a lot of things packed up into one building.

- [Mai]: It's sure is. Now, the thing you are seeing here is the exhibition area of Southeast Asian culture. It's showcasing countries and territories in the vicinity, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The displayed artifacts depict a diverse range of aspects, including religion, art, lifestyle, society, economy, material culture, and non-material culture.

- [Andrew]: Interesting...

- [Tomi]: Well, we're done with this floor. Let's move on.

- [Mai]: Okay then.

*A short walk up the stairs later*

- [Mai]: Here we are at the second floor. This is the display area of Indonesian glass paintings. It offers a glimpse of Asia and beyond. Indonesian glass paintings, a unique form of art, reflect themes related to religion, history, culture, and daily life of the Indonesian people. 'A Glimpse of Asia' is a collection curated by Professor Le Thanh Khoi, an Asian studies researcher, encompassing artifacts from China, Japan, South Korea, India, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. 'Around the World' is an exhibition featuring artifacts from various regions globally, including the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.

- [Hali]: Wow. I thought this place only have Southeast Asia stuff.

- [Mai]: As you can see, it's more than that. And also, you must have heard about Iran, right?

- [Hali]: Yes, I do! It's located in Western Asia if I'm correct.

- [Mai]: You're right! And Iran is the next display area we will visit. It's on the third floor, so let's get going.

*One more short walk up the stairs later*

- [Mai]: This is the place where the Art Heritage of Iran is displayed—a unique and precious collection representing the ancient and modern cultural heritage of Iran. You can admire artistic works such as paintings, ceramics, carpets, jewelry, coins, books, and manuscripts, reflecting themes related to religion, history, culture, and daily life of the Iranian people. You can also view beautiful photos of landscapes, landmarks, architectural structures, daily life, and people of Iran. The exhibition is the result of collaboration between the National Museum of Ethnology in Vietnam, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vietnam, and the Cultural and Islamic Relations Organization of Iran. The display marks the beginning of a series of cultural events commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iran and Vietnam in 2023.

- [Tomi]: It's quite interesting about our bonds with other nations though.

- [Mai]: Yes, it is very interesting. They help us develop our nation and we help them back. And now for the final floor of this building.

*Another short walk up the stairs later*

- [Mai]: And here we are, the fourth floor. This is the place designated for the preservation of artifacts, where around 15 thousand items representing cultures from various regions around the world, such as Southeast Asia, Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America, are stored. This floor is usually not open to the public, but since you've registered for a group tour, you have access. Here, you'll have the opportunity to marvel at precious and diverse artifacts, including ceramics, religious items, jewelry, textiles, toys, household items, tools, musical instruments, festival objects, sports items, military artifacts, art objects, and items related to the beliefs and customs of different ethnic groups. This is also the place where you can gain a deeper understanding of the diversity and richness of human cultural heritage.

- [Ashu]: Woah, so many old things in here.

- [Andrew]: Yeah, 15 thousand items are a lot.

- [Mai]: And that's the Southeast Asia. Let's get down and go to the places out there. We still got more to uncover.