VIETNAM IN MY EYES
Culture and Customs of Viet Nam

Viet Nam
2021


CONTENTS

I.

Viet Nam in my Eyes

3

II.

Land, People and Language

4

III.

History and Institutions

10

IV.

Thought and Religion

12

V.

Literature

14

VI.

Art and Architecture

14

VII.

Cuisine

23

VIII. Family, Gender, and Youth Culture

29

IX.

Festivals and Leisure Activities

32


X.

Performing Arts

42

2


I.

Viet Nam in my Eyes
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, widely known as Vietnam,

is not a strange name to the whole world. Although this country is
ravaged by a series of wars which causes serious damages, Vietnam in
the eyes of the world is nice and peaceful.
Vietnam is located in the eastern Indochina Peninsula in
Southeast Asia, with Hanoi as its capital. With an area of 331,690 sq.
kilometers, to the north of Vietnam is China, to the west is Laos and
Cambodia, to the east is Gulf of Tonkin and East Sea, and to the south
is Thailand Gulf. The land is a center of trading, cultural interaction,
and even conflicts for centuries. It proves that Vietnam has an
advantageous position in the region with long coastline and numerous
attractions. Having a tropical climate, Vietnam is well known for from
magnificent scenery and colorful hill tribes to wide terraced fields in
Red River Delta and Mekong River Delta, to majestic mountains, and
white sandy beaches. Vietnam, nowadays, is one of should-not-miss
destinations in Asia.
Traveling to Asia in general in Vietnam in particular becomes of

great appeal to tourists from all over the world in recent time. Asia is
no longer a hard place to go. With several greatly important milestones
in its history such as lifting of embargoes, economic reform and the

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opening door policy, Vietnam increasingly becomes a popular tourist
destination in the region and in the world.
II.

Land, People, and Language
Land
Whole Vietnam's territory runs along the eastern coast of the

peninsula, in which the mainland extends from the longitude 102°8'E to
109°27'E and between the latitude 8°27'N and 23°23'N. In addition,
Vietnam also considers Parcel Islands and Spratly Islands as its
territory.

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The S-shaped country has a north-to-south distance of 1,650
kilometers and is about 50 kilometers wide at the narrowest point. The
country also has a land border with China (1,281 km), Laos (2,130 km),
Cambodia (1,228 km) and a long coastline, adjacent to the Gulf of
Tonkin, South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
Located in the area of tropical monsoon climate with high
humidity of over 80% all the year round, with the diversification in

topography, three main regions of Vietnam stretch in different climate
zones. The climate in Vietnam varies from North to South, from
mountains to plains and coastal. The divisions of Vietnam weather may
cause certain effects on travel decisions of tourists.
Often,

the

Vietnamese

government groups the various
provinces into eight regions:
Northwest, Northeast, Red River
Delta, North Central Coast, South
Central Coast, Central Highlands,
Southeast, and Mekong River
Delta. These regions are not
always

used,

and

alternative

classifications are possible.

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On the First Tier, Vietnam is divided into fifty eight province
(Vietnamese: tỉnh) and five municipalities under the command of the
central government. Municipalities are the highest-ranked cities in
Vietnam. Municipalities are centrally-controlled cities and have special
status equal to the provinces.
Northeast Vietnam is one of the most advantageous regions in
Vietnam. This part plays an essential role in the development of the
whole country. This region has advantages of both geography and
economy. In this region, most of population is Kinh people, and a
number of ethnic minority groups, which creates diversity in culture,
customs, and lifestyle. Owning many wonderful landscapes and
seascapes with various cultural identities, Northeast Vietnam appeals a
large number of tourists and investors annually.
Population in Northeast Vietnam is about over 13 million of
people, accounting for about 15% of Vietnam population. The
population growth rate of this region is high, but the rate has signals of
decrease in recent years. The living standard of people in this region is
higher than that of the entire country and other regions. Northeast
Vietnam has the most diverse ethnic structure in Vietnam with 40 ethnic
groups living together. Ethnic minority groups reside in certain places
where there are favorable conditions to conduct policy of the
government, organized their lives going with practiced customs. From
the charm of Tay girls, the flexibility of H ‘Mong women to the
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refinement of Dao and Cao Lan people, all have created a colorful
cultural space in Northeast Vietnam in particular and in North Vietnam
in general.
North Central Coast is the northern part of Central Vietnam with

the geographical area from the south of Tam Diep Mountain Range to
the north of Hai Van Pass. North Central is one of seven economic
regions assigned to plan socio-economic overall by the Government.
This region consists of six provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh,
Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue. North Central Coast region
in Vietnam is adjacent to North and Central key economic region on the
North - South transport axis of the railway; many motorways in east west direction (7, 8, 9, and 29) connect Laos with South China Sea. In
addition, the region retains an convenient transportation system of
airports (Vinh, Dong Hoi, Phu Bai), ports (Nghi Son, Cua Lo, Cua Hoi,
Vung Anh, Son Duong, Cua Gianh, Nhat Le, Cua Viet, Thuan An, Chan
May...), and high ways which lead to an important tourism center of the
country (Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Hue Ancient Capital…) and promote
economic exchanges among Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
The Southeast is situated in a special position which plays an
important role in socio-economic development, transportation, and
national security. The land also has favorable conditions to develop
industries, services, tourism and become a leader in the industrialization
and modernization, especially the development of high technology
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industry, electronic industry, and telecommunication services and so
on. The Southeast of Vietnam consists of 6 provinces including Ho Chi
Minh City, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau
and Dong Nai. The natural area of this land is 23, 605 square kilometer,
which accounts for 7.1 % the total area of Vietnam. This is a new land
in the developing history of the country. The west and southwest of the
region share a border with the Mekong Delta, which has a great
potential for agriculture and also the largest granary in Vietnam. The
Southeast also borders with the South China Sea in the east and

southeast having rich marine resources and favorable conditions for the
construction of seaports. In addition, the northwest shares border with
Cambodia, which contains Tay Ninh border gate to promote widespread
exchanges with Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. With these
favorable conditions in the Southeast Vietnam geography, this region
becomes an important transport hub not only for the south provinces of
the country but also for foreign countries. Besides, belonging to the
southern climate, the region has features of equatorial climate with high
temperature and virtually no changes in a year. Especially, it has the
profound seasonal differentiation consistent with the operation of the
monsoon.
People and Language
As being a nation of 54 ethnic groups, Vietnam absolutely has a
colorful culture with various traditional customs and cultural identity.
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Vietnamese culture is affect much by main religions as Confucianism,
Taoism, Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, and Cao Dai. Most of
Vietnamese people thought that they do not follow any religious, yet
they go to temples and pagodas annually to pray for luck and happiness.

H’mong tribe from Northern Viet Nam
Tonal (has 4 to 6 tones depending on a district), monosyllabic,
isolating language (words don’t change their forms), has three writing
systems, with only the latest Quoc Ngu used today.
Vietnamese language is permeated with indicators of status and
of the relationship between speaker and interlocutor. In family
relationships are based in terms of age, sex, generation, paternal and
maternal lineage, and marriage. It is customary to address people by

given names.
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. About 85% of
the population speaks Vietnamese as their mother tongue, while the
minority ethnic people speak this language as their second language. As
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being spoken by a large number of native speakers, surpassing some
other languages like Turkish and Italian, Vietnamese is regarded as one
of the most important languages in the world. According to the world’s
statistics, there are at least about 80 million people speaking
Vietnamese all over the world, of course, in Vietnam, the figure is
overwhelmed in Vietnam itself. Although some Vietnamese words are
borrowed from Chinese words, Vietnamese language has its own
features with Latin alphabet, or Vietnamese alphabet. Vietnamese
education is in the progress of integration. There are four education
levels in Vietnam: primary, secondary, high school, and university.
III.

History and Institutions

Pre-Colonial Institutions
o Four Confucian classes: sholars (si), peasants (nong), artisans
(cong), and merchants (thuong).
o Basic administrative and social unit – the village.
o Appearance of three main cities: Hue (preeminent
administrative city, where the Emperor resided), Ha Noi
(strategically well positioned, capital until now), and Sai Gon
(prominent for commercial reasons).
Viet Nam Under French Domination


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o Move from self-sufficient village-level agriculture to exportoriented plantation economy.
o Many peasants lost land due to tax enforcement and new
monopolies.
o Indochina became world’s leading rice exporter, enriching all
but the direct producer.
The Rise of Nationalism
o There were three different stages of resistance against
nationalism:
o Traditionalists, who wanted to restore monarchy;
o Western oriented noncommunist; Western oriented
communists.
By

repressing

the

noncommunist

inadvertently opened the way for Marxists.
o Nguyen Sinh Cuong (a.k.a. Ho Chi
Minh) founded Indochinese
Communist Party in 1930;
o In 1945, he founded the Democratic
Republic of Viet Nam (D.R.V.).


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nationalists,

France


After the war, in 1975 the North was devastated and centralized
economic planning failed to meet the growing population’s needs. 2billion-dollar annual help from USSR mostly was lost by
mismanagement and corruption. Due to political and economic reasons,
an exodus of hundreds of thousands began in 1978.
In 1991 Doi Moi (Renovation) was launched, which stated that
the Viet Nam Communist Party (VCP) would stay supreme in politics
but would partially withdraw from economics to let the market operate.
New Rout has dismantled much of the public sector and created the
New Poor. No effective regulation caused huge ecological problems.
IV.

Thought and Religion
The Vietnamese sometimes practice several religions at the same

time. Confucianism, which came from China over 2,000 years ago,
emphasizes good behavior, education, and respect for hierarchy and has
been very influential in Vietnam.
Another religion inherited from China is Taoism, which
emphasizes beliefs in the spirit world and ancestor worship. Most
homes have an altar to the ancestors holding a small vase of flowers,
some incense, a plate or two of food, and candles. Taoism also includes
belief in geomancy, which focuses on the importance of aligning human
objects and activities with the landscape. Thus, a father's grave must

face the proper direction or his son will suffer.
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In addition, most Vietnamese call themselves Buddhists.
Vietnamese Buddhists believe in reincarnation and karmic destiny (the
belief that people get what they deserve). If a man is good in this life,
he will have a better life the next time round. If he is bad, however, the
opposite will happen.
There are also several million Catholics, mostly in urban areas
in the south, where the French missionaries had the greatest influence.
Cao Dai, a small but important religion, is followed by more than
1 million people. It combines elements from Buddhism, Christianity,
and history. Its saints include Jesus Christ, the Buddha, Joan of Arc, and
Charlie Chaplin. Cao Dai maintains a standing army, which was
involved in the Vietnam War. Cao Dai adherents believe they are
combining the best beliefs of all the world's religions.
Animism: Believe that spirits inhabit rocks,
trees, animals, and the rest of the natural world.
People should propitiate them to avoid disasters and
attract success.
People
combining

have
two

to

act


by

properties,

concentration, expansion. Taoism
in Viet Nam blended with Animism
and is indistinguishable today.
13


Buddhism: Entered Viet lands from China and derives from
Chinese Mahayana. Served as state religion during middle ages. Fused
with other religions, especially animism. Confucianism:

States

that

people must accept fixed rules in the society. Entered Viet lands during
Chinese domination but only in 1400s the Viet rulers adopted it. Family
life was influenced by its ideas about the virtues of male domination,
ancestor worship and filial piety.
V.

Literature

o Written in Chinese characters;
o Written in vernacular characters;
o Written in Romanized Vietnamese;

o And a sub-group the folk tradition, which was not written.
VI.

Art and Architecture
Making of ceramics in Viet lands dates to Neolithic times. Took

off during 11th-12th centuries (celadon glazed ceramics on the right).
Used not only to make pottery, but also figural ceramics used as toys;
ornamental ceramics to decorate temple roofs and so forth.

14


Vietnamese ceramics refers to ceramic art and pottery as a form
of Vietnamese art and industry. Vietnamese pottery and ceramics has a
long history spanning back to thousands of years ago, including long
before Chinese domination, as archeological evidence supports.
Much of Vietnamese pottery and ceramics after the Chinesedomination era was largely influenced by Chinese ceramics, but has
developed over time to be distinctly Vietnamese. Vietnamese potters
combined indigenous and Chinese elements.
They also experimented with both original and individual styles
as well as incorporated features from other cultures, such as Cambodia,
India and Champa.
Vietnamese ceramics were an essential part of the trade between
Vietnam and its neighbors during pre-modern times through all the
periods.

15



Lacquerware
Lacquer items date back to 3rd or 4th century B.C. Used for
preservation or decoration of wooden items. During the French colonial
period, artists started using variety of colors, while at the beginning
there were only three: black, red, and brown (canh gian – literally the
color of cockroach wing).

16


Wood-block printing
Typical painting hasn’t developed in pre-colonial Vietnam, so
it’s part was taken by wood-block printing. The themes were immutable
but varied from familiar rural surroundings as well as from
mythological and historical sources, but all carried a symbolism meant
to convey wishes; to impart moral lessons; or to satirize.
Modern Painting
French introduced Viets to Western art by opening Ecole des
Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine (Indochina School of Fine Arts – ISFA) in
1925, in Ha Noi. The first generation graduated from that school was
inspired by classicism and romanticism and their works depicted
idealized, harmonious settings.

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18


With the partition of the country in 1954, Vietnam witnessed

emergence of two schools of art:
o Northern;
o Isolated from outer world;
o Depicted peasants’ and workers’ everyday life;
o Art was used for propaganda;
o Southern;
o Highly exposed to Western influence;
o Cubism, Abstractionism, and Futurism made had big impact;
o Vietnamese inspirations.

Northern School
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Northern School
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Postwar modern painting
o New opportunities to present exhibits;
o No more social pressures or moral obligations;
o Free to travel and experiment.
Architecture
o Influenced by China;
o Depending on its function can be divided in three categories:
religious (pagodas, communal houses and deified national-hero
temples), military (citadels), and civilian (imperial palaces,
habitations of peasants and mandarins, infrastructure, etc.);
o Geomancy dictated the choice of the site and the orientation of
the building.


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Religious buildings
VII.

Cuisine

o Refrigeration was impossible, so food was bought on a daily
basis;
o Food was eaten at a low table or on a bamboo mat;
o Chopsticks were used to eat solid food and ceramic spoon for
soup;
o Food was served in the middle in the communal bowls and
everyone had his/her own rice bowl;
o Senior male of the household had the right to start and finish
eating.
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Utensils and Manners
Kitchen Utensils
Food and cooking are very much ingrained into daily life in
Vietnam; as is the amazing array of kitchen and home crafts, many
sprung from customs and traditions dating back centuries. Whether in
the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City or the tiny hillside town of Sapa,

you'll find numerous crafts on display. Not just the lacquerware that
Vietnamese artisans are famous for, but also hand-woven tribal textiles,
bamboo kitchenware, hand-sculpted pottery, and practical kitchen
tools.

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And if you can’t eat your way around the country, picking up
some colorful treasures and practical tools from Vietnam for your
kitchen wherever you happen to be is the next-best thing.

Utensils
Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables
Rice has long been the staple of Viet cuisine (the verb “to eat” in
Vietnamese is anc com – literately, “to eat rice”) and is eaten steamed;
its flour is used to make noodles, rice paper, etc.; rice was fermented
into fish paste; and finally distilled to make a variety of alcoholic drinks.

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