A series of violent incidents were filmed and went viral online, mostly between foreigners and Vietnamese youths, stirring public concern over the aggressive behavior and morals of those involved. — Photo thoibao.today

HÀ NỘI – It is high time that Việt Nam strengthen education on laws and life skills for young citizens so they have self-restraint in conflicts, psychologists have said.

The statement was made after a series of violent incidents were filmed and went viral online, mostly between foreigners and Vietnamese youths, stirring public concern over the aggressive behavior and morals of those involved.

Last Friday, a video clip of a fight in the tourist town of Sa Pa Town went viral. A Dutch national, carrying his wife on the motorbike, almost collided with a car full of Vietnamese men. The Dutchman argued with the driver about his dangerous driving and pushed the driver, who then, together with four other men, attacked the foreigner.

Colonel Trần Văn Trường, head of Sa Pa District’s Police Department said police had investigated the case.

Previously, on June 26, Hà Nội’s Hai Bà Trưng District police prosecuted two suspects for deliberately injuring a foreigner. The two, aged 26 and 29 respectively, were detained for further investigation.

Some cases have ended in tragedy. On June 18, Trần Văn Hoà, residing in Hà Tĩnh Province, was beaten to death by a local man. Hoà used his crutches to tap on Trần Phú’s car to make him stop so he could cross the road. Phú hit the Hoà’s head until he fell down.

The victim was taken to hospital, but succumbed to his injuries.

Dr Phạm Mạnh Hà, deputy head of youth work department of Việt Nam Youth Academy said to Nông thôn ngày nay (Countryside Today) newspaper that violent acts, sparked by minor traffic incidents, showed that people tended to care only about themselves, regardless of right and wrong.

Daily pressures and long-term stress might contribute to the violence, he said.

PhD Huỳnh Văn Sơn, a psychologist said that the essence of the problem was aggressive human behavior, which was out of control.

PhD Đỗ Văn Quân of Việt Nam Academy of Social Sciences said that this emerging evil was a societal disease, caused by unrest in modern society, or a series of long-term pressures, annoyances or frustrations that people kept inside.

Thus, they would argue, fight, or even kill someone to relieve their suffering when they could not find a way to change their lives, he said.

PhD Khuất Thu Hồng, director of the Institute for Social Development Studies said that these recent cases were not new, but were happening more regularly and dangerously.

Hồng said currently, there was no scientific research on the reasons of the issue. However, she cited that it was noticeable that most of the cases were caused by young people who lacked life skills and had little ability to control their impulses.

For years, the national education system has only focused on knowledge and ignored educating its students on life skills. In addition, education on legal knowledge and the implementation of laws is ineffective.

Some have even lost their faith in law, and decided to deal with conflicts with violence, she said.

Hồng also said that society is part of the problem. Bystanders supported the aggressors instead of helping solve the conflict.

According to the psychologists, it was necessary to improve the legal knowledge and life skills of young citizens, by both schools and families.

Families play an important role in teaching them love, self-reliance and thinking skills to face unexpected circumstances. – VNS