VIET NAM: Internet surfing all the rage with elderly

HANOI (Viet Nam News), May 28, 2008: by Trung Hieu Mai Xuan Thinh is not your typical internet surfer. In fact the 70-year-old retiree would look a lot more at home doing tai chi in the park. But despite entering a domain dominated by the young, Thinh, a resident on Truong Chinh Street, insists that learning how to use the internet has really brightened up his life. "The internet is really marvellous," he enthuses. "I asked my young neighbour, who’s a student, to help me access the web." After a few lessons and some help from his son Mai Anh Phuc, Thinh is now an expert in using search tools such as Google. With the click of a button he can absorb himself with the world online. Thinh is not the only person picking up computer skills later in life. Ninety-year-old music teacher Vinh Bao, born in Dong Thap Province, has been using the internet since he was 86. Thanks to his good command of English, Bao found it easy to use the computer, but having good instructors also helped. "I have many "teachers" who are neighbouring children. When they teach me, I take notes and practise new skills immediately." Bao now uses a webcam to teach music across the world via the internet. Bao and his students use special software to record pieces of music, and send them to each other. His students range from five to 82 years old, they are both Vietnamese and foreigners. "Overseas Vietnamese learn traditional Vietnamese music because they want to feel connected with the national culture. Foreigners learn it because they are interested in the musical heritage of Southern Viet Nam." Meeting the rising demand among the elderly to learn computer skills, HCM City’s Economic Institute’s Centre for Economic Consultancy and Application recently opened training courses free of charge for old people. The classes, held in Tan Dinh Ward, District No 1, have 16 learners each. Every learner has their own computer and a trainer, most of whom are university students. The course was an instant hit. Since April, the Centre has attracted 1,086 learners, most of whom are over 60 years old, employee at the centre Khong Minh Giang says. "Many are retired State employees, veterans, and members of clubs for the elderly. There are a lot of old xe om (motorbike taxi) drivers and lottery sellers. A lot of them want to go onto to the advanced course once they finish the basic course." The courses have drawn attention from beyond HCM City, with old people applying from outlying districts such as Binh Chanh, and nearby provinces Binh Duong and Tay Ninh. But despite their enthusiasm, teaching elderly people internet skills is not a walk in the park, trainer at the centre Le Anh Trieu says. "They lack basic knowledge, their memory has become weak, and most of them do not know English. So we have to be very patient. We also have to be very polite and compliant, because many of the learners are quite fussy." One rice farmer from nearby Binh Duong Province pores over websites on rice cultivation, others search for their favourite football teams or more serious topics like Alzheimers. It seems there’s something for everyone on the world wide web. The internet also provides instant gratification, 83-year-old Nguyen Van Minh says. "The internet is terrific! It has everything, and it is quicker than TV or newspapers. After I finish this course I’ll definitely buy my own computer with internet connection." The internet is also an easy way to keep in touch, which is also a big plus point for old people, IT student and trainer at the centre Phan Phuc Thinh says. "Firstly old people like reading on the Internet. Then they use it to chat and send emails. Our learners practise these with their classmates and then with people outside the classroom." One of the courses’ biggest success stories is 67-year-old Nguyen Van Thuan, resident in District No 5. After finishing the course early this year, Thuan went home to set up his own blog "Dinh Cong Tu," which gets regular hits and comments from young people. It seems taking part in a pass time usually dominated by the young can have a rejuvenating effect. "The internet can spark new passion in old people. It gives us a new lease of life," Thuan says. — VNS Copyright by Viet Nam News