A Vietnamese man describes his unconventional familial address, calling his father “thầy” – traditionally “teacher” – as a deliberate reminder of his ancestral roots in Nghệ An province. This practice stems from a northern Vietnamese custom where “thầy” is used for father and “u” for mother. The man’s family history reveals they are descendants of migrants who settled in Quảng Ngãi centuries ago. The use of "thầy" isn’t merely a term of respect, but a conscious effort to preserve and acknowledge a lineage stretching back to a specific village. This tradition attempts to connect him to a past shaped by migration and cultural identity. The story highlights the importance of remembering one’s origins within the broader context of Vietnamese customs and familial bonds. It's a personal reflection on heritage and the ways it’s kept alive through language.