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| Major General Le Nhu Duc, Chairman of the Hanoi War Veterans’ Association__Photo: hanoimoi.vn |
Members of the War Veterans’ Association, the Women’s Union and respected community figures are drawing on their life experience and mediation skills to help families settle disputes and repair strained relationships.
According to Major General Le Nhu Duc, Chairman of the Hanoi War Veterans’ Association, grassroots mediation has been one of the association’s notable contributions to strengthening family relationships and maintaining community harmony.
He said some young couples had decided to divorce following heated arguments but later reconsidered after receiving advice from veteran mediators.
By listening to both sides, helping couples reflect on their relationships and reminding them of their responsibilities towards their children, the mediators have persuaded some couples to withdraw their divorce applications and reconcile.
Successful mediation requires more than legal knowledge and sound judgement. It also calls for patience, empathy and the ability to balance competing interests.
Tran Thi Lan, Chairwoman of the Women’s Union in Me Linh commune, Hanoi, said effective mediation depends on careful listening, a balanced approach combining reason and empathy, persistence and respect for confidentiality.
She recalled a dispute involving divorced parents in which the mother had prevented the father from seeing their child, causing the child emotional distress.
Rather than taking sides, Lan focused on the child’s best interests, helping the mother recognise that disagreements between parents should not deprive their child of a relationship with either parent.
After several discussions, the parents reached an agreement on arrangements for caring for their child.
Respected community members also play an important role in identifying and resolving family disputes before they escalate.
Nguyen Thi Dien, Head of the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Working Committee in Trung Yen village, Me Linh commune, Hanoi, regularly keeps in touch with local households to understand their circumstances and offer assistance when conflicts arise.
When mediating marital disputes, she often speaks to each spouse separately to allow them to express their concerns without the discussion turning into an argument.
She then encourages them to recall the positive qualities they once appreciated in each other, helping to ease resentment and create an opportunity for dialogue.
Dien advises couples to listen patiently and avoid drawing conclusions or making decisions in anger that could damage their relationships.
Through such conversations, she has helped couples acknowledge their mistakes, apologise to each other and find ways to resolve their differences.
Drawing on their practical experience, grassroots mediators also encourage young couples to remain calm when disagreements arise, avoid impulsive decisions and refrain from domestic violence, which can cause lasting harm to family members and carry serious legal consequences.
Their work shows how patient dialogue and community support can help families resolve conflicts, protect vulnerable members and maintain stronger relationships.- (VLLF)
