VietNamNet Bridge – Chuyen Ngoai commune in Duy Tien district in Ha Nam province is called the "longevity commune" in northern Vietnam. The commune has more than 600 people over 80 years old.

We paid a visit to the home of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quyen (born in 1914). She is 101 years old but is still very sharp and healthy. She can read Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu) – a great work by Nguyen Du – in both Chinese and Nom without eyeglasses.

"I'm blessed with good health. My descendants also take care of me very well. Most importantly, the mind must be calm, and you have to live in an optimistic way rather than a pessimistic way. Before going to bed, I usually read a Buddhist prayer book in order to feel more serene," she said.

She can still serve herself and wash her clothes, seeing these tasks as the way to improve health.

There are three other people over 100 years old in the commune: Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nga (104 years), Mrs. Luong Thi My stuff (103 years old) and Mrs. Ngo Thi Hoa (100 years old).

There is an elderly couple in the village of Tu Dam, Mr. Nguyen Van Dam (93 years old) and Mrs. Nguyen Thi May (95 years old).

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quyen (born in 1914).

Last year the village held the "golden wedding" for 11 couples who had been living together for over 60 years, including the spouses above. They were married in 1948 and are still healthy and happy now.

Mr. Dam has been dubbed by local residents as “Mr. Youth”. Having lived for nearly one century, he still chops down bamboo trees, carries them home and splits them to weave baskets, or pulls a trolley full of stone every day.

According to the Association of The Elderly of Chuyen Ngoai commune, it has 1,381 members, including 577 people aged 80-99, four over 100 years old, and the rest under 79.

The association’s chair, Mr. Pham Van Dinh, commented on the “secret of longevity" of local people: "Maybe it's God’s gift. There is no secret at all. We are farmers who are very familiar with labor and only labor gives you good health."

Thu Ly