Beyond the Screen: Vietnamese Initiative Offers Solace for Emotional Pain

In a world saturated with digital connections, a growing number of young Vietnamese find themselves adrift, surrounded by online 'friends' yet utterly alone when faced with genuine emotional pain. This paradox is precisely what Master Luong Dung Nhan and his team, disciples of Dr. Le Nguyen Phuong, seek to address through their 'An Lac Day' (Day of Peace) initiative.

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Work is good, you are full of friends online, but when you are in pain, you don't know who to call.

Since November 2024, these free events have offered a sanctuary in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. At the recent gathering in Hanoi on April 18, hundreds of young people and adults found themselves guided not towards external solutions, but inwards, towards self-awareness and genuine human connection. It is a stark contrast to the often superficial interactions found online, where the constant stimulation can leave individuals in a state of perpetual alert, unable to truly relax or connect.

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For the first time in a long time, they could feel they didn't have to pretend to be 'okay'.

What makes 'An Lac Day' particularly resonant in Vietnam is its acknowledgment of a deeply felt, yet often unspoken, societal pressure. Many young Vietnamese, despite professional success and a vast social media network, confess to having no one they can turn to in moments of genuine suffering. Some even feel unsafe within their own families. 'An Lac Day' provides a rare space where vulnerability is not only accepted but encouraged, allowing participants to finally 'let go' of the burdens they have carried for years, a concept often overlooked in the fast-paced, results-oriented culture that can pervade modern Vietnamese society.

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The phone and social media are pushing young people's nervous systems towards vigilance.