Recently, many people have been debating how family assets should be passed down. Some believe every child deserves an equal share regardless of gender, while others argue that one should receive a larger portion than others. Personally, I think there is a reason the law usually respects the wishes of the asset owners.
Therefore, parents should have the freedom to distribute their property as they see fit. We cannot call one method “modern” or “progressive” and dismiss another as “outdated.” Even in developed countries, some parents still choose to leave inheritance to only one child or even none of them, gifting it to acquaintances or charities instead.
When my parents passed away without a will, they left behind a piece of land in our hometown to the four of us siblings. My three sisters, despite their modest finances, still declined their inheritance. They insisted I, as the only son, should have it as it would be more convenient for me to manage traditional family ceremonies.
But after years of living in Hanoi, I am not even sure if I want to live in the countryside. Hence, I chose to keep the land as shared property, ensuring that our descendants will always have a home to return to whenever they visit. I have made it clear that no one will be allowed to sell it.
I started from nothing and have since managed to buy several homes in Hanoi, so to be honest, I have little interest in my late parents’ land. What I regret most is not being able to give them more while they were alive. Today, I own two houses in Hanoi and plan to pass them down to my two children. As for the land in the countryside, I see it not as an asset but as a family heirloom, something to be preserved for future generations.
I have informed my wife of the decision. We have never cared much about her family’s inheritance anyway. Although her parents live with her elder brother, we still take care of them whenever they fall ill. Sometimes she feels upset that her brother contributes less to caring for their parents, but I always remind her that looking after them is an act of love, not competition.
For my family, this arrangement might be the most reasonable. But I do not see it as the only solution, because every family has their own circumstances. In the end, inheritance should be handled in a way that honors both the parents’ wishes and the family’s condition. There is no absolute right or wrong, only the hope that we can all find peace, no matter how large or small our share may be.
*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.