Vietnamese couple owns “cultural museum” from 111 countries

The Vietnamese couple traveled together across 5 continents: United States, Mexico, Peru, Australia, Morocco, India...

After a trip to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; most recently to the sea of Cebu Island (Philippines) for a "once in a lifetime" experience of... swimming with whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) last summer 2025, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam and his wife have set foot in 111 countries and territories around the world in the past 27 years.

Passion for the world of books and newspapers

Mr. Nguyen Van Nam graduated from the sculpture department of Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts (Dong Nai province) and is a multi-industry businessman. He and his wife often arrange their work to travel here and there to satisfy their common passion. Talking to Dong Nai Weekend, Mr. Nam said that his love for "a day's journey, a basketful of knowledge" probably originated from his childhood, when his siblings often helped their parents sell newspapers for decades on No Trang Long Street ( Ho Chi Minh City).

“Sitting at the newspaper stand to help my parents sell newspapers at that time, I took the opportunity to read many different types of newspapers, absorbing a lot of good knowledge, especially interesting information and images about countries around the world through printed newspapers. From then on, my childhood vision began to perceive a vast world, imagining many strange lands. From then on, I cherished the dream of growing up, working and having money to save up to travel , explore the horizon, and learn knowledge” - Mr. Nam recalls.

Married in 1990, Mr. Nguyen Van Nam and Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy started to build a family together, had 2 children and overcame many difficulties and hardships like any couple at the beginning of their career. However, every year they "shared the same opinion": The family should not "work hard" all year round but should prioritize spending vacations here and there to balance life.

In 1998, they went abroad for the first time with a trip to 5 European countries (France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy). Other trips followed from East Asia to the Middle East, Africa, North America and South America...

“Now, we jokingly say that we are getting old, so we prioritize doing things that are meaningful, fun and happy,” Nguyen Van Nam said with a smile, explaining the reason why he and his wife continue to explore the world in addition to charity trips in provinces and cities in the country.

“Cultural Museum” Pha Le House

The footprints of a Vietnamese couple have reached Easter Island - "the most remote and mysterious island in the world" in Chile with giant, strange Moai stone statues discovered in 1722 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They have visited the holy land of Jerusalem - an ancient city important to all three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam; witnessed the migration of wild animals in East Africa and worshiped the sacred site of Machu Picchu - traces of ancient civilization in Peru...

Mr. Nguyen Van Nam and his wife explore Easter Island (Isla de Pascua, isolated in the Southeast Pacific Ocean).

Many visitors to the private home called "Pha Le House" of Mr. Nam and his wife in Ho Chi Minh City cannot help but admire when witnessing with their own eyes a priceless "mini museum" with more than 500 unique souvenirs from all over the world: clocks, cups, ceramic statues, handicrafts, dishes, dolls, masks, postcards, pictures, coins - souvenir paper money...

"Mini museum" of world souvenirs at Nguyen Van Nam's house.

“Our great passion from our trips is to search, collect and bring back to our homeland Vietnam souvenirs from different countries. Most of them are symbolic items that are typical of a country or region, containing a lot of cultural and historical information as well as artistic beauty to enrich our knowledge” - Mr. Nam said.

The homeowner revealed that they treasure and love the rare souvenirs most, such as: 7 Moai statues weighing tens of kilograms, painstakingly brought back from faraway Easter Island (Chile), statues of the "five African tigers" - 5 wild animals including lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo from Kenya and especially the creative liquid containers in "multi-faceted" shapes such as airplanes, cars, boats, anchors, musical instruments, book boxes printed with pictures of world greats, dragons, phoenixes, birds and animals...

Mr. Nam and his wife also shared that whenever they look at the "world museum in their home", it brings a feeling of relaxation like an effective medicine to help reduce stress, recall happy and sad memories through trips together, strengthen their bond, even when they are angry, they can make up, and add more joy to their lives, making them happy and loving life.

Loyalty

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/giai-tri/202509/doi-vo-chong-viet-so-huu-bao-tang-van-hoa-tu-111-quoc-gia-4a614b0/