1. Do you like trees?
I’m quite a nature enthusiast, so yes, I do love trees. Of course I acknowledge their beauty and importance in our lives, but that’s not all. I believe that there’s a close connection between human beings and trees, and I think people have a genuine affection toward all kinds of plants.
2. Are there any important trees in your country?
The bamboo tree is widely considered the Vietnamese national tree. It is, in fact, a kind of tree which is very strong and straight from its root to the top. Many believe that this particular tree symbolizes our country and its people, especially during our great wars.
3. Is there a forest near your hometown?
Hanoi lies in the centre of a plain, so there are no forests to be found near the city. In Vietnam, if you want to go into the woods, you’ll have to travel all the way to mountainous areas, or at least to plateaus like those in Lam Vien or Moc Chau.
4. Would you like to live in a place that has a lot of trees?
Only in the summer, I have to say. Although trees mean the world to me, I still feel the chill whenever I walk across a leafy area during winter. I just don’t have great physical endurance when the weather is extreme.
5. Where can one find trees (or forests) in your country?
You can easily find all sorts of trees or even evergreens everywhere in Vietnam. They’re planted alongside a lot of streets, in parks and zoos, and around most building complexes. However, it’s a bit harder if you need to find forests, since these areas are often far away from metropolises and also often more difficult to reach due to the underdeveloped transport facilities nearby.
6. Do you think places with trees attract more visitors than places with few trees?
Without question. As I’ve already mentioned, people tend to be attracted to nature as a whole, and particularly, trees. Since trees provide oxygen, they are a kind of fresh-air- generator, so I think that people feel more refreshed when they are around them. This partly explains the attraction I think, you see, we don’t just go to all the attractions just to stare at trees, but we are indeed attracted to leafy areas for our comfort.
7. Did you ever climb a tree when you were a child?
Sadly, even ‘till now, I still can’t manage to climb a tree. This has been the most challenging task for me ever since I was a 5-year-old. Actually, I really envy those who can reach the top of a tree and look down from the top. I did try to climb a tree once, I really did, but it’s a shame I fell so hard on my face that now I’ve still got a scar above my mouth.
8. Have you ever planted a tree?
Well, I love trees, but it’s a pity I’m just not cut out to be a gardener. My gardening skills are so terrible that all my friends and family call me ‘the plant-killer’. I tried planting trees several times, but they all end up dying for some reason.
9. Do you think people should plant more trees?
I couldn’t agree more with that idea. We are so badly in need of trees these days, since a large number of plants in urban areas have been cut down to make way for the construction of new infrastructure. You know, fewer trees in the city means higher levels of air pollution we have to bear with. I’m afraid if we don’t take immediate action by planting more trees, it will soon be too late.
