Everyday life of the Vietnamese: work, life, entertainment. How everything works: family traditions of Vietnam Vietnam culture and traditions
Before going to a new country, many people want to know more about its local residents, their way of life and traditions. And if you're traveling to Vietnam anytime soon, you might want to read about what normal daily life is like for the Vietnamese.
Vietnamese family life
Family is the most important thing for every Vietnamese resident. Vietnamese people try to maintain warm relations between all family members. You will immediately notice that in Vietnam they treat the older generation with respect. Deceased relatives are revered: in every house there is a special altar where rituals of worshiping the spirits of ancestors are held. Such altars always contain fresh fruits and clean water.
And all the Vietnamese are very fond of small children. Here they are cared for and cherished. And if you decide to go on vacation with your child, be prepared for the fact that your baby will attract attention from the locals. Often it's not just smiles, many will want to cuddle the child, especially if he is fair-haired and fair-skinned.
According to statistics, Vietnamese women get married at the age of 24, and men get married a little later - at about 27. Marriages between Vietnamese and representatives of other nationalities are now common. In such cases, many families go abroad, but some remain in Vietnam.
Religious life of the Vietnamese
Among the residents of Vietnam there are many atheists who do not consider themselves followers of any religion. But almost all Vietnamese revere the spirits of their ancestors. Therefore, in every home, in cafes, hotels and shops, altars are installed, which we described above.
A fairly large percentage of Catholics live in the country. The French colonialists brought Catholicism with them. Along with faith in Vietnam, beautiful Catholic churches appeared in which services are held.
Some Vietnamese consider themselves Buddhists. The country has many colorful and atmospheric pagodas that are worth visiting while in Vietnam. Large statues of Buddha or the Vietnamese goddess of mercy, Quan Am, are often installed on their territories.
Also, while vacationing in Vietnam, you will definitely see the Cham Towers - these are the temples of the now small Cham people. Their colorful tower-temples are dedicated to various gods, including Hindu ones.
Daily life of the Vietnamese
The life of the Vietnamese is directly related to the sun. In a country where it is summer almost all year round (especially in the southern part of Vietnam), there are many hot sunny days. Vietnamese people wake up very early to get a lot done before the sun sets in. First of all, city residents go to the parks closest to their homes to do exercises. And only then they start working.
Small businesses are very developed in the country; many families open cafes, workshops, beauty salons, and shops right on the ground floor of their houses. Therefore, it turns out that many Vietnamese work in the same place where they live. At the same time, the whole family, young and old, can be involved in the business.
The Vietnamese dine both at home and in street cafes. Typically, such establishments serve traditional Vietnamese dishes - rice with chicken, pho soup with noodles. Baguettes that came from the French and were loved by the Vietnamese are also common. They are cut and filled with eggs, vegetables and meat. After having a snack, many take a siesta to wait out the hottest time of the day.
In the evenings, Vietnamese life continues in numerous cafes, men go to beer bars, and young people walk in parks and along embankments or go to sing karaoke. This type of entertainment is very much loved by the nation. There are special establishments where you can come with your company and rent a separate room with equipment. But many people also have karaoke at home. Karaoke is a must-have attribute of any wedding.
The Vietnamese go to bed quite early; after ten in the evening there are practically no people on the street. Of course, this does not apply to tourist areas; nightclubs and drinking establishments continue to operate.
But in general, the Vietnamese are friendly and smiling people who are always ready to help a stranger. And if you treat them well, they will definitely repay you in kind!
Having absorbed the traditions of centuries-old history and the trends of modernity, the culture of Vietnam demonstrates an excellent example of synthesis, allowing the country to take its rightful place in the current dynamic world, while remaining original, not absorbed by globalization processes. The features of this culture will be very interesting for inquisitive travelers.
Original culture of Vietnam
With your roots Vietnamese culture goes into the very depths of its long history. The La Viet traditions were closely fused with elements of Han culture, and in the south there was a very significant Khmer influence. In modern and recent historical times, European culture and Marxist ideology.
Religion of Vietnam
In this socialist state, most of the population adheres to atheistic views. Religion of Vietnam- is a mixture of Buddhists (about 10%) and Catholic Christians (almost 7%). There are other beliefs, but they are very few in number.
Economy of Vietnam
Modern times are strongly influenced by the state. Despite the reforms forcedly carried out by the communists after the crisis of the 80s and the disappearance of most of the socialist countries, market relations are not present in all spheres of life; there are noticeable imbalances in the development of certain sectors of the national economy. Nevertheless, Vietnam is experiencing some economic growth, facilitated by changes in international trade conditions.
Science of Vietnam
The modern one is quite well known in the world scientific community. This includes medicine, where Vietnamese scientists firmly occupy leading positions in the field of studying the effects of dioxin on humans, and state-supported research and development in the field of nanotechnology, and applied areas of knowledge.
Art of Vietnam
The most attractive for travelers is. Majestic temples, wonderful examples of folk crafts, national music and choreography coexist with modern architecture, theater, and literature.
Vietnamese cuisine
It is best known for its huge number of seasonings, the most famous of which is Phu Quoc fish sauce. Geography of Vietnam seriously affected the nutrition of its inhabitants. There are as many as three national cuisines in the country!
Customs and traditions of Vietnam
Their richness and diversity can give a head start to many more populated countries.
Sports of Vietnam
Modern can be safely called folk. Almost every resident of this interesting country is interested in some type of athletic activity. In 2007, Vietnam was one of the countries that hosted the Asian Football Championship.
This is not the first time I’ve been going to, so I can tell you a lot about this wonderful country. such an unusual country that it cannot be compared with any other country in the world. There are many rituals, traditions and nuances that will be of interest to travelers.
Vietnam
There are incredibly many traditions. I will try to introduce you to the most interesting ones.
At home
The first thing you notice when you arrive in Vietnam is that their houses are very strange. The buildings are similar to a pencil case, just as long and narrow. This is due to the fact that a funny tax has been introduced here - a tax on the width of the foundation. That’s why the cunning Vietnamese make a narrow foundation, but the length of the houses is almost unlimited. The houses themselves most often consist of two floors.
On the ground floor there are shops and workshops, and on the second floor families live. By the way, it is not customary here for young people to live separately from elderly relatives. Several generations of the same family can live in one house, so you can often find flocks of children on the first floors.
How to talk
Vietnamese traditions do not encourage loud conversations. And screaming is considered unacceptable in this country. You need to speak in a low voice and politely. Therefore, calm Vietnamese are very irritated by loud-voiced Europeans. But, due to their natural delicacy, they will never reprimand you. So, while here, try to respect the locals and don’t scream at the top of your voice.
Smile
In Vietnam, it is customary to always smile. In this regard, the traditions of Vietnam are similar to those of neighboring countries. But don’t delude yourself too much, since a smile often does not mean sincere sympathy for you, but is simply accepted. By the way, the Vietnamese smile can hide pain, resentment, and even hatred. They always smile, even if they are very upset or upset.
Woman - go build a house!
There is a strict patriarchy in the country. Women must obey men unquestioningly. A girl does not even have the right to sit down at the table until she feeds her husband and satisfies all his requests. Here you can see fragile women everywhere who work in the most physically demanding jobs. 
This includes building roads, harvesting salt and rice, and even building houses. True, it is necessary to make a reservation here that today, the life of local girls is slowly starting to improve. Still, the influx of tourists and modern trends contribute to the traditions of Vietnam.
Don't touch a Vietnamese person's shoulders or arms
Another strange custom worth remembering. Under no circumstances touch Vietnamese people on the shoulders or arms. Here this will be regarded as a sign of aggression. It’s better not to touch women at all, in any way. They believe that if you extend your hands to a person, then you are angry and need to be protected from you.
Black teeth
Another strange tradition involves local girls painting their teeth black. 
They do this for a reason, but in order to show others that they are religiously pure. The Vietnamese believe that people who have a snow-white smile carry a demon within themselves and thereby attract other demons to themselves. That is why local beauties sparkle with black teeth, considering it also very beautiful.
By the way, about religion. Several religions coexist peacefully in Vietnam - Hinduism, Catholicism and Buddhism. The traditions of Vietnam do not conflict with the diversity of religions. All of them do not interfere with each other, but develop in parallel. Only in this country can you see nearby cathedrals, pagodas and temples. Moreover, they are located not only in separate areas, but actually almost side by side.
The Vietnamese treat Russian tourists very well. In many countries, a negative attitude has already arisen towards our tourists, but not here. It may be, of course, that there is indignation hidden behind the sweet Vietnamese smile, but it’s better to let them smile.
In addition to the peculiarities of everyday life, the cuisine here is very unique.
Features of Vietnamese cuisine
Vietnamese people begin to eat hot seasonings and hot spices from a very early age. Therefore, already as adults, they calmly eat food so spicy that we never dreamed of it. Be very careful when introducing local dishes.
I wasn’t careful and felt like a fire-breathing dragon. After tasting, I drank almost one and a half liters of water, but the burning sensation did not leave me for a long time.
There are also very unusual sauces in Vietnam. For example - Nuoc. 
It is prepared from spoiled salted fish. The Vietnamese simply adore it, but a European should be wary of this delicacy. Those who dared to try it say that they have never tried anything nastier in their lives.
Well, now I’ll show you the highlight of local cuisine. These are the eggs of forest ants. 
What it looks like, what it tastes, it’s a rare disgusting thing. True, I didn’t try. But there are also daredevils who freely put all kinds of crap into their mouths.
In general, the locals love insects, but as food, saying that they are very healthy and even satisfying.
I’ll stop my story about Vietnamese traditions here. Let's move on to rest.
Hotels
Since I have already visited most cities in Vietnam, I now decided to settle on Vinpearl Island. There are many hotels where you can stay. To get to the island, you need to use the cable car, which runs from Nha Trang. 
The length of the road is almost three kilometers. The cable car cabins are closed and safe, but there are observation windows so you can admire the panoramic view of the South China Sea during your journey. At night, the road is illuminated with lights that are arranged as if small Eiffel towers are shining. It's a miracle, how beautiful.
I found the hotel nice and well maintained. We were also lucky with the room - clean and comfortable, and the windows overlook the sea.
The hotel also includes three restaurants where the food is very tasty and satisfying.
Actually, this is not just an island, but a whole huge amusement park where you can find everything your heart desires. 
Winpearl Island
First of all, I went to the water park. There are a huge number of slides here, from which you can go down using tubing, or just like that. After having fun on the slides, you can take a break by floating on a mattress along the river that flows along the entire territory of the park. Here you can sunbathe under the gentle rays of the sun, basking on the snow-white sand.
The next day I visited an equally interesting attraction. Here you can ride an electric sled along a specially paved track. I liked this entertainment so much that I came several times. The toboggan run is very long, stretches under the trees, over the sea. 
Very sharp turns and steep descents with climbs. It’s simply enchanting, especially since you can control the sleigh yourself. After visiting the attraction, I was offered to buy photographs that cameras took throughout my journey. I bought several things - the funniest ones.
Just like at any other seaside resort, there are entertainment related to water. This includes diving, surfing, kayaking. Everything is quite affordable for the money. And this cannot but rejoice.
I usually spent my evenings in local restaurants and listened to performances by musical groups. 
The repertoire was not bad, but the most incredible thing was that Russian chanson was performed several times. This is so strange, I even felt a hint of nostalgia.
I can say unequivocally that there are so many activities and entertainments here that there is no time to rest.
And in the park in the evenings they show a show of fountains that sing and shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow. Very beautiful.
Be sure to go to the aquarium; more than 350 inhabitants of the seabed live here. 
Here you don’t have to walk, you just get on a moving path that will take you throughout the entire territory. I liked this convenience, but there is still a disadvantage. If you are very interested in something, then you won’t be able to stand and look at it.
I went to Hon Mun Island, where there is a ghost ship - a real haven for pirates. 
Not only is the building itself very unusual, but there is also a lot inside that is definitely worth seeing. All rooms contain exhibits of the seabed. This aquarium is also called Neptune's Palace.
I highly recommend visiting the Interactive Museum of Impressions. 
It is located in an ancient house, which is guarded by a dragon and washed by a beautiful waterfall. I especially liked the fact that you can touch and feel all the exhibits. The cool upside-down house also did not leave me indifferent, although I had been to a similar house in Moscow. There is a completely different interior here. There is also a giant’s house, where you can take many interesting photographs.
Conclusion
No matter how many times I’ve been to Vietnam, I always find so many interesting things that I can talk endlessly. I am sure that I will return here again and again and will discover this country for myself again and again.
Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia that boasts a rich history and distinctive culture. Vietnam is currently on the rise, namely, the government pays great attention to healthcare and preserving the cultural characteristics of the country, the infrastructure of cities is being improved, and the tourism industry has also flourished. We will consider all this and much more in more detail in our article.
Vietnamese way of life
Traditionally, the culture and life of Vietnam are associated with agriculture, namely rice growing. To a lesser extent, local residents are engaged in fishing, breeding pigs and poultry.
Until the second half of the 19th century, all Vietnamese lived according to the rules of a rural community, the basis of which were men over eighteen years of age. The Vietnamese lived in groups connected by numerous family ties. The head of the family was a man, the eldest in age, after whose death this privilege passed to the eldest son.
The Vietnamese marriage system was based on a ransom for a wife, which was often replaced by labor. Currently, the country's government is actively trying to abolish this custom.
Vietnamese houses are built mainly from wood, woven bamboo and clay with straw. Various outbuildings are built around the home, such as a chicken coop, barn and others. The furniture in such a hut is usually also carved from wood and consists of the most necessary interior items, such as a chest, bed and hammock. Housewares are made from scrap materials - chopsticks carved from bamboo, bowls made from coconut shells, wicker jugs and much more.
Vietnamese clothing consists of a loose jacket with pockets and wide pants. The festive clothing of the local population is a dress with a stand-up collar and a right-hand wrap, under which straight pants are worn.
Main types of crafts
In the culture of Vietnam, the first mention of which goes back to ancient times, about a hundred crafts are known. Particular attention is paid to blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, wood carving, weaving, embroidery and jewelry making.
Vietnamese silverware, boxes, and lacquer wickerwork are known all over the world, including not only household items, but also junk sails.
During archaeological excavations, ceramics and pottery, weapons and scraps of silk fabric were found, which were distinguished by artistic skill and high taste.
National cuisine
The national cuisine of Vietnam is diverse, based on vegetable dishes, cereals (mainly rice), fish, soy milk and a variety of sauces and spices.
The Vietnamese meal goes as follows: a large dish with rice and vegetable soup, fish and a variety of sauces and seasonings is placed in the center of the makeshift table. The whole family gathers and each participant is given a bowl and chopsticks.
Green tea is considered the main drink of the local population. Although coffee is becoming increasingly popular these days. The Vietnamese cook it very strong and sweet, and at the very end, before serving, they add ice to it.
and culture
Among the religious movements popular in Vietnam, the cult of ancestors is widespread, as well as a mix of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
The Vietnamese believe that their ancestors guard their home after their death. Therefore, almost everywhere the tourist’s eye comes across the altar of the ancestors, which is a miniature table with an incense burner with lit incense sticks, fruits and flowers located on it.
Holidays
The culture and traditions of Vietnam, among which folk festivals occupy a special place, go back centuries. Among the most revered holiday events among the local population are Tet and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which usually falls in September.
The Vietnamese associate Tet with the beginning of spring, so various flowers and trees are planted throughout the area. Women also bake traditional pies and sew outfits for the whole family. On the day of the holiday, all family members try to get together. At midnight, bells begin to ring, fireworks and firecrackers explode, and incense sticks are lit in houses.
During these days, a competition program is organized for adults and carousels and swings are built for children. For two days everyone has fun, participating in competitions in archery, wrestling, ball throwing, horse racing, stilt running and kite flying. The third day of the festival is characterized by a custom introduced by Ho Chi Minh in the second half of the 20th century. On this day, the Vietnamese plant trees to decorate their native land.
The second widely known holiday event is the Mid-Autumn Festival. In honor of this day, children prepare paper and clay figurines of fish, dragons, crabs and many lanterns that decorate houses and streets. The day of celebration is characterized by festive processions to the beat of drums.
Sculpture and architecture
The main materials used by Vietnamese sculptors were bronze and wood. Already at the beginning of our era, sculptures by Vietnamese masters amazed the imagination with their artistic taste and high technical data. It is worth noting the fact that to give strength to wooden sculptures, the Vietnamese covered them with several layers of varnish.
The skill of Vietnamese sculptors reached its peak in the period from the 11th to the 17th centuries, when the capital of the ancient state (modern Hanoi) was built up. At this time, a huge palace complex and many pagodas were built. Some of the sculptures from that time have survived to this day. All of them are included in the world art treasury. These are carved columns with dragons, stone statues of dancers, lotuses, sculptures of elephants, heads of deities and others.
It is worth noting the fact that the main feature of the culture of Vietnam, in contrast to its Asian neighbors, is the lack of rich decorations and the miniature structures of temple complexes and pagodas.
Vietnam is famous for its abundance of temples and pagodas, so it is quite difficult to select the most interesting ones. For example, Tay Phuong Temple, which is located near the capital and is screened from tourist eyes by tropical vegetation. The temple is built of wood, three hundred and eighty steps lead to it. The interior decoration of the temple consists of intricate wooden carved dragons, various plants and a Buddha statue.
Particularly popular among the local population is the One Pillar Pagoda, which was built in the 11th century. It is located in the central area of the capital. According to the architects of that time, the pagoda stands on one stone column, which rests on the bottom of the lake. Inside the structure there is a wooden statue of the revered goddess of mercy Quan Am.
Painting and graphics
Vietnam's artistic culture is of great value as a world heritage. Particularly noteworthy are the wall paintings in temples and pagodas, illustrations of folk tales, poems and legends. Also famous are paintings from the everyday life of peasants, which often had satirical or humorous overtones. It is worth noting the many images of temples and ritual ceremonies of the local population. Also worthy of special mention are pictures of ancient battles and images calling residents to patriotism.
Folk epic
Vietnamese culture is famous for its folklore, which includes various fairy tales, ballads, myths and legends. Chroniclers recorded these folk art items in their chronicles.
Since the 14th century, Vietnamese poets have collected all works of folklore into volumes. The poet Nguyen Dong Thi deserves special mention, who did a great job of creating a multi-volume edition of works of folk art.
Literature
The first collection of Vietnamese poems that has survived to this day belongs to the pen of Nguyen Chai, who lived in the 14th-15th centuries. ad. This man glorified himself not only as a poet, but also as a great military and political figure.
Masterpieces of classical literature appeared at the beginning of the 18th century. These include the works of the poet Nguyen Du. Later, culture in Vietnam went through a stage of romanization of writing. Following this, a collection of Ho Chi Minh was released. In the 20th century, novels and stories on the theme of the life of ordinary people became widespread.
Further in the history of Vietnam, a war began against the French invaders. Therefore, poems about the heroism and patriotism of Vietnamese soldiers, as well as satirical works that ridiculed the enemy, gained popularity.
In the second half of the 20th century, the Writers' Union was created at the initiative of the state. Thanks to this, many masterpieces of world literature have been translated into Vietnamese. Publishing houses that publish local newspapers and magazines are also starting to operate.
music and dancing
The music and dance culture of Vietnam has its roots in ancient times. It represents labor, choleric and satirical songs of working people. The most common musical instruments were five-string and three-string guitar, drum, two-string violin, gong, castanets and flute. The entire local population, due to the peculiarities of Vietnamese culture, is very musical.
Theater
There are about twelve different types of theater culture in Vietnam. Let's briefly talk about one of them in our article. This is a puppet theater on the water. This art form is a performance in which all the roles are played by large painted puppets. The dolls are controlled using a clever system of threads and bamboo sticks. The Vietnamese who control these dolls are located at a considerable distance from the performance site. All the action takes place on the smooth surface of a pond or rice field.
This ancient and colorful theatrical art of Vietnam is beloved by local residents and is very popular among tourists.
The website continues to talk about the strangest and most unusual traditions of different countries. We have already talked about:
The culture and customs of another country often seem to us, if not wild, then strange. And when we wrote about Japanese traditions, it seemed that there was and could not be anything more amazing. But as it turned out, Southeast Asia is even more full of exoticism and traditions incomprehensible to us than Japan. Those interested in traveling to Vietnam will experience these exotic oddities to the fullest. Which of course will make your impressions travel in Vietnam unforgettable.
1. Road traffic
To get to know the country, it is of course best to travel as a “savage”, and many guidebooks advise planning travel around Vietnam consider renting a moped and travel around Vietnam"on your own." However, you should know that the main reason for spoiled holidays for tourists in Vietnam is not food, tropical diseases or snakes - it is road accidents.
There are few cars in Vietnam, but there are plenty of mopeds. Major intersections are regulated by police or traffic lights, but compliance with the rules does not seem mandatory - those in a hurry can easily drive onto the sidewalk. Most intersections are not regulated at all. However, this doesn’t bother the Vietnamese much - pedestrians, in order to cross the street, simply continue to move at their normal speed, giving mopeds the opportunity to go around them at their convenience. Shopping can also be done without leaving the moped - you just need to drive up to the store, ask, for example, for shampoo and the seller will bring it. And it should be noted that many tourists quickly got used to it and traveling around Vietnam They've been doing the same for several days now.
2. Betel and tobacco
Traveling around Vietnam You will find people everywhere smoking local strong tobacco (thuoc lao) or chewing betel nut. For example, male peasants always carry a pipe with them, which they smoke while planting rice to brighten up this monotonous task.
The habit of chewing betel nuts, a chewable plant mixture, or betel nuts, has been known to the Vietnamese since ancient times. Old medical books claim that chewing betel nut and betel nut makes the breath aromatic, relieves negative emotions and promotes the digestion of food. Betel makes people become friendly and open.
Betel also plays an important role in rituals - in particular, any wedding ceremony should include dishes with betel and betel nuts.
3. Vietnamese wedding
Before the wedding, the groom's mother brings pink chalk and betel nuts to the bride's house. Pink chalk symbolizes a bright future. Betel nut is a way of showing respect to the groom and his family. Only after this ceremony can the groom and his family go to the bride's house.
The last night before the wedding is very important. The mother of the bride combs her daughter's hair with numerous combs. Each ridge has its own meaning. The third one is the most important. When using it, the mother asks for a happy future for her daughter.
Beauty is sometimes a truly terrible force!
4. Beauty is a terrible force
All over the world, women, and indeed many men, try to whiten their teeth, since white teeth are the standard of beauty. What can you say about radically black teeth? Women of one Vietnamese tribe apply black varnish to their teeth to look attractive. The varnish consists of the ashes of burnt coconut shells and resin. But this is done not only for beauty - white teeth here are considered a sign of demons, wild animals and savages, and a cultured and educated woman should not resemble any of the above. It's hard to argue with that.
5. Names
Children in Vietnam are often named by their birth order. The eldest is called Big, then comes the Second, Third and so on.
When one of the family members is dying, the whole family comes to him and the elder invites him to take a new name, since it is believed that a person should not go into another world with the name that he bore during life. The most commonly used names (in translation) for men are Loyalty, Honesty, for women - Devotion, Harmony.
6. All Vietnamese are brothers
According to legend, the ancestors of the Vietnamese people were a dragon lord and an immortal princess. Therefore, all Vietnamese are related to each other.
Vietnamese wedding
7. The Bird of Happiness
On the streets you can often see sellers with birds in cages. However, they are not sold as pets, but for religious purposes. Followers of Buddhism buy birds to release them as another good deed. So, traveling around Vietnam, you will also have the opportunity to do a good deed.
8. Who gets up early...
Most Vietnamese wake up at 5:30, many do gymnastics or go to the market. They start work at 7-7:30. The lunch break can rather be called a siesta. It starts at 11, the Vietnamese go home to have lunch with their families, rest until half past one during the hottest time of the day. The working day ends at half past five.
9. Nuok mom is the head of everything
Used in almost every Vietnamese dish, nuoc mam is a sauce derived from salted fish.
10. Ant eggs
The cuisine of Southeast Asia deserves its own book, and more than one. Traveling through Vietnam and Cambodia, you will come across a huge variety of delicacies such as scorpions, beetles, grasshoppers, frogs... But even in this series, white ant eggs seem to be a particularly strange food. However, they taste surprisingly good in soups, for example. The eggs are soft, burst gently on the teeth and have a sour taste.
If after reading these strange Vietnamese traditions you have the impression that Vietnam is a wild country, then this is a mistake. Vietnam is developing rapidly, and the Vietnamese are well aware of Western culture and tolerant of tourists. So if you are going to travel around Vietnam, you will find a mixture of modern and traditional here, and you will surely enjoy it.
The strangest traditions of Vietnam TOP 10!
