In one video, Din said in every meal, she puts food on two plates which surprises many viewers. She explains that it is a custom of her husband’s family: daughters-in-law are not allowed to use the same plates with their fathers-in-law.

Such unique custom turns out to be the factor that attracts viewers to the TikTok channel of the Hmong woman with one child, born in 1997 in Ban Pho 2C hamlet in Ban Pho commune in Bac Ha district in Lao Cai province.

Din’s videos are not well designed in images and content, but are attractive thanks to the simplicity and authenticity. They spark viewers’ curiosity about the life and customs of an ethnic minority family in the mountainous region.

Most of Din’s content revolves around simple family meals, consisting of one protein and one vegetable dish for four members, including her parents-in-law, Din, and her 4-year-old son.

Viewers only know that Din is a Hmong housewife who tends to the fields and takes care of her family, as she has not shared details about her main job.

In fact, she is a preschool teacher at a school near her home. After working hours, Din uses time to make videos, edit the content and post on her TikTok channel.

Being a casual video watcher, three years ago, she was inspired to create and post her own videos online. Din admitted that initially she posted videos just to help her parents and parents in laws to boost sales of maize liquor made by her family.

However, she changed her mind when receiving positive comments from viewers. She feels happy to share more information about her family’s life. Now, selling maize-made liquor is just a secondary goal.

The meals Din prepares mostly consist of a plate of pork or a few eggs and fresh vegetables from their garden. There is one video where she cooks shrimp, very expensive, priced at VND100,000 for 10 shrimp.

Pork is simply cooked by roasting or frying, and vegetables are mainly boiled. Family meals take place in their kitchen with the four family members.

The preschool teacher said her husband works in a factory in another province and only comes home 3-4 times a year.

She believes that it is the openness which helps attract viewers. Her videos not only satisfy people’s curiosity about the life of mountain people, but also bring warmth to those from highland areas working far from home.

Nguyen Thao