I'm happy to finally share this Short Doc I created during my backpacking trip to Vietnam. My friend Cuong showed us his home country in a way I would have never imagined. Everytime I watch this film it makes me smile and I'm happy he trusted me with this important story. Hope you enjoy.❤ Side Note: Cuong, Lishen and I are headed to ICELAND for an awesome Travel/Video Workshop. If any of you want to join us go to this link and sign up: www.cuongtravels.com/tours Spots are limited and I'm happy to finally be running a trip like this.

One day I will watch a film in cinema which will start with: "Directed by JR Alli"

The stereo vocal going left and right tho :O

Hey, Cuong. This may just be another passing comment but I wouldn't want to let this opportunity slip even if this message is never seen. I share a very similar story to yours. I was born in Vietnam and moved to America when I was three. Growing up in California, I lost my Vietnamese background and fitted in with the America society. I always had this deep lingering feeling of sorrow from not fully understanding how to read, write, and speak Tiếng Việt. During my time in high school, I visited Vietnam and saw how life was. I met all my relatives and they accepted me as one of them and treated me as if I never left. I have so much appreciation for how hard Vietnamese people work and how special and interconnected family is in Vietnam. No matter where you go in life, a family meal on the floor with everyone together will always stay true to the heart as a tradition of Vietnamese culture. Seeing this story brought tears to my eyes as I saw all my feelings and emotions through you. I also told myself that it was too late to reflect on where I came from, as I didn't even know where to begin to look back at my roots. However, you showed that it was possible and how amazing the experience was. I want to say, Thank You, personally because this story connected to me on a very deep level and taking the time out of your life to consider looking at your original home is finding the missing piece in your life and truly understanding who you are.

This is beautiful, it brought me to tears... I also was born in Vietnam but raised in France, I was given the chance to start a new life with new parents...but I never forgot where I was coming from, not once. And after 20yo, I came back for the first time to Vietnam, it was wonderful but “looking” like everybody (for once) and not being able to speak the language is one of the hardest thing i had to deal with and accept. I am not a part of their world, their country, I don’t quite understand all of the traditions or social rules but now I only have one idea in mind I want to live there for a while to (re)connect with my culture and roots.

I thought JR is best in storytelling , I just want to learn this level of storytelling😍😍

being vietnamese and following JR Alli..this is a dream come true.

The beauty of flimaking lies in the story rather then the cool transistions

Your storytelling skills are just next level. wow. wow. wow.

Never stop making films JR. Magisterial!

as a fellow Vietnamese I am really happy that u enjoyed ur trip to our roots! Greetings from Austria

In Spain we say when someone is really good: ERES UN CRACK!

So amazing! so much respect for Cuong and his life choices, really touching video man loved it!

I am Russian who lived in Vietnam for 2 years. I know a lot about their culture and life. Smiled while watching this video. thank you.

The sad tone on his voice and the hopeful/happy faces visually brings a nice contrast to the storytelling.

This makes me proud to be Viet. It’s been 12 years since I visited the country my parents are from. You did such an amazing job capturing Cuong’s story and the lifestyle in Vietnam!

Always heartwarming returning what was once 'home' after so long, feeling like you've lost your connection and that you're an outsider. I felt the same way when I returned to Pakistan after 10 years. Brings me back. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story!

Yoo, he is speaking straight out of my mind I'm half swiss, half thai and i visited my family last week after 7 years, i didnt saw some of them for even 13 years. i didnt really felt connected to my roots and i also wasnt proud but after all these years visiting thailand again it felt like home. somehow i‘m now more proud of my roots because of my family and the culture. thanks for sharing his amazing story

Absolute masterpiece. the feelings are too real in this one as clichê as it might sound.

This one got better and better as it went 👊🏻

Never turn your back at your home. Because your home will never do that. Heartwarming video bro

this is so emotional as a Vietnamese growing up in Germany ! I never really felt home in Germany but I do when I fly away for 14 hours . isn't that crazy

You made my cry on the part: " its never too late to conect with your roots" greets Daniel

your storytelling is beyond incredible. such an amazing video, you have no idea how hype i get to see that you posted again

hell yea! great video man. Story, edit, music, and all that amazing footage. Keep up the great work I enjoy watching these very much and being inspired

You are an incredibly gifted story teller. Thank you for taking us along to your home!

This is truly beautiful, man. Inspiring filmmaking. 🙌🏻

Awesome! Amazing Storytelling as always :) Here for a long time, love these videos of you ^^

Love what you do and how you do it. Keep it going, JR.

thats awesome JR!

Beautiful. Loving the fresh narrative style from you!

SO AWESOME! Love your work. One of my inspirations for sure :).

genuinely touched by this short film, the synchronization between the music and the film got me, it got me good

Thanks for the story of my hometown country, JR Alli. Love you and your works

JR you literally made me cry. It was really nice story telling. This inspired me to feel free and say people where I belong. Even me I belong from a small city where life is great and my parents and family members too doesn't know how to speak English but they know how to love. There was a time I was embarrassed by them near my friends but now I'm not after watching this I'm proud of my roots. Thanks JR. And also a request from Shillong, India to visit here and make some dope content. We're waiting.

This was a beautiful video bro...brought back lots of memories of my time travelling in Vietnam! ✨👌🏽

Wow dude this is really cool ! I love you edit and the picture is almost always perfect even in low light :O keep up the good work like this !

Another brilliant short film 👏👏

Definitely, this is the best story shared in your channel! Congrats mate! Keep it up!

Got the chills man, amazing cinematography it looked so seamlessly!

Lovely! I wait for more! You are my inspiration!

So proud that Vietnam story goes to the world! Great film and emotional for people living far from home like us! Big thanks to you JR

amazing work as always!!

Vietnam ❤ cuongtravels & jrali

JR is an excellent story telling , i watch this several time , really catch my attention

From Vietnam with love🇻🇳❤️ 👍 always being inspired by your stuffs JR 💪 that's really awesome man

This is beautiful. Beyond Words. Keep doing this man. This is what you are, An astonishing filmmaker.

Beautiful video!! Really appreciate the depth of story and the attention to detail with the transitions, filming and sound design! Awesome work!

I love how you take so much care with the sound design. Really makes your work that much more immersive.

It just felt good watching this. Really touched me. Thank you!

Incredible you two. Thank you for sharing your story.

amazing video...you guys killed it !!! coming from a person that grew up in another country and it feels like that culture remains always with them!!

Awesome Video as always dude. Keep pushing out those vids

Another Amazing video. Fantastic work, keep it up

This was just so good!

Wow man! You really have a gift. Also, what a great opportunity to experience such an incredible journey with your friend. Well done!

This is another level brother ,truly inspirational

The separation of the second song is ridiculous!!😅 So immersive! Well done man!

Such a beautiful film JR

Absolutely heartwarming!❤️

Just moved away from Vietnam after three years there. Gotta say, these shots do make miss it. Incredible video, JR. you captured the essence of Vietnam perfectly, and they stroytelling really shined. keep it up my man.

Beauty. Just pure art.

Back with another one! Amazing work JR

Wow what a great story. GREAT video as always.

Beauuutiful work JR! Looove how you edited this especially the color grading. You tell his story so well 😍

Loved the vibes in this one 👍🏼

Man this really touched my heart

Thanks for this great video !

Wow man ur so amazing ✨🤩 Def gonna share this to my friend’s

Wow, this is beautiful. Amazing work 🙌 Thank you for sharing this wonderful story ♥

Great video and story. You captured it perfectly.

This is beautiful JR... a great story and beautifully put together. 🙏

this is so sick, good work man. I live in Vietnam and this is truly a piece of art

Nailed it, this was so sick, the transition videos are amazing and visually pleasing, but this has story and meaning, i saw a few JR Alli mask transitions in there but were very subtle and thats exactly why it worked!

Wow dude, as always this video was awesome! 🔥

beautiful story and a beautiful way to share it as well!

I love your drone shots! Another awesome one 😍

thank you. i always learn from your video!!

this is straight up ART man. Amazing work

What a wonderful storytelling

JR Alli & Lishen Ye... Im fortunate to have discovered this channel. This video gave me chills more then once. Your shots, editing, voice and storytelling work so well. You've got talent! Thanks for sharing your journey through creativity and life! Looking forward to watching more from you! Amazing

It's rare for me to get sucked into videos, but this is such a great video and topic, especially now with how diverse the world is. This gave me goosebumps, thank you for the great story and visuals!

Epic film mate, i really love your works, you inspire me a lot, i wish to be like you one day

Great video as always homie, proud of you!! - Keep crushing it bro, much love!

Dope Doc man. Love that you are making films :)

Amazing film! An exceptional combination of cinematography, music, shots, and voice over! Loved every minute of it and how you tied it back to how YOU feel and made it about you.

Alli I loved this video man, the storytelling is magnificient and the shots ofc ..Great Job man Great Job

I loved this much more than your normal "Epic" content because it really made me feel something. It struck emotional cords with the story and the people. Really well done, great narration too!

JR is the king of storytelling. It feels like a Hollywood film trailer

Such a beautiful film. I was so happy watching this. Beautifully shot and potrayed a message. FAMILY is everything and the only place where you can have these beautiful memories is YOUR HOME, going back to the roots and the culture. Just so good.

Can’t stop having goosebumps! Super bold film! Glad to have you here 🙏🏻

What a beautiful film. Thank you for sharing

From Vietnam with love !!!

really well done man nice work

Dopeeee, you and Cuong killed this man! Always love your vids🙏

Simply wow! Voice over content was amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Good editing + perfect sound design + Storytelling = JR Alli 😎❤🤘

Great mini doc guys. Love the script and edit 🙌🗺️🙂☀️

My girlfriend is from Vietnam, so I can relate to that a little bit. The video gave me goosebumps

Like always! Thank you for the great contents!!!