Vietnam population and culture of the country. Culture, traditions and customs of Vietnam

Customs and traditions

Despite long military conflicts and difficult times, Vietnam has preserved its ancient traditions and unique culture. The locals love their country very much and are friendly to guests.

The way of life and customs have evolved over many centuries. The Vietnamese have a leisurely and measured way of life, they are not in a particular hurry, rarely swear, do not raise their voices, maintaining inner calm.

The population of Vietnam takes good care of their health, eats right, and plays various sports. It is almost impossible to find a Vietnamese who is overweight.

Despite democratic relations in the family, the last word always remains with the man, as in many eastern countries.

Due to the fact that the art of Vietnam is popular and in demand, many local residents work in a creative environment - this is wood carving, tableware painting, and silk painting preserved in ancient times. Traditionally, the Vietnamese are very fond of theater, carnival processions and festivals, creating an atmosphere of general celebration and fun.

Modern Vietnamese are not particularly religious, but traditions with ancient origins are still present today in the form of various customs and superstitions. For example, the Vietnamese attach great importance to the name. A name spoken out loud, even with good intentions in the opinion of believers, can attract evil spirits and evil forces. Therefore, families have two names and one of them is known only to relatives. It is not customary to praise children, and they are often called in order of birth “first”, “second”.

Superstitious Vietnamese people maintain personal space, so they do not come close to their interlocutor, and in order not to disturb the patron spirit and soul of a person, it is not customary to touch the shoulders and especially the head. This is precisely what is associated with the greeting in the form of a slight bow with a prayer gesture at the chest; handshakes are not common.

A manifestation of politeness and good manners here is not to look into the eyes during a conversation, as well as the absence of sharp denials; instead, the Vietnamese select soft and evasive formulations.

To protect against evil spirits, mirrors are hung on the door from the street side.

It is also not customary to touch another person’s cutlery with chopsticks, use relatives’ towels, overturn musical instruments, and much more.

Despite the intertwining with Western ones, the country's traditions preserve the rich heritage of Vietnamese culture.

Travelers coming to another country should, of course, familiarize themselves with local customs and customs and treat them with respect.

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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!

The official language in the country is Vietnamese. Residents also communicate in Chinese, English, Russian and French. In some parts of Vietnam there are settlements that communicate in Laotian and Khmer dialects.

Religion

The territory of Vietnam is influenced by several religious movements: Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism. And although the official religion is Buddhism, many village temples also have statues of several local patron spirits (Confucius, Bodhisattva and Buddha).

The Vietnamese are sure that the spirits of their ancestors live with them, protecting them and warning them of impending danger.

Features of behavior

The Vietnamese are very friendly people. They are thrifty, patient, disciplined and respectful to elders. They consider sincerity to be the main quality of a person.

Vietnamese people try not to say their name out loud. In their opinion, a person’s name reflects his essence, which protects him from evil forces. Careless pronunciation of a name can jinx a person, bringing illness and failure to him. You should keep this in mind when communicating with local residents.

It is not customary to praise children. Often outside the home, parents call their children “first son” or “first daughter” in order to avoid pronouncing the name.

During a conversation, you should not come close to your interlocutor, or touch his shoulder or head with your hands - this can disturb the person’s soul and bring trouble to him.

A slight bow to the interlocutor serves as a greeting.

When showing politeness, the Vietnamese never look their interlocutor in the eye. Refusal in conversation is expressed in the form of soft denial. For example, “Let’s leave this question until next time.”

Help in Buddhism can only be given if it has been asked for. So, for example, if a person is drowning, but does not shout “Help,” then he cannot be saved. The most you can do is offer a helping hand. However, it will not always be accepted.

When shopping in stores and markets, do not forget to bargain. This is the only way you can buy the item you want at the lowest price.

Holidays

The main national holidays are:

Do not drink tap water, and do not ask the Vietnamese to get water for you: there is a chance that they will bring you untreated water.

When you order food in a cafe, immediately check the price of the dishes, otherwise there will be unpleasant surprises with the bill at the end of the meal. Pay attention to how many visitors there are in the cafe: if there are many locals, then the cafe is popular, which means it is affordable and has high-quality preparation. The mopeds standing near the establishment can also indicate a budget option for food.

As for food, local delicacies made from animals, which are considered our best four-legged friends, are quite specific dishes. You can culturally refuse such foods without offending the local cuisine.

A 5% surcharge is added to your bill in hotels and restaurants, so you don’t have to tip.

Restrictions when visiting attractions

When visiting the pagoda, remember important rules: take off your shoes before entering, and do not turn your back to the shrines when leaving. If you want to walk around the temple, do it clockwise.

Do not photograph or videotape Vietnamese military installations. Photographing attractions and Vietnamese people is only necessary with permission.

We take care of personal belongings

In Vietnam, take care of your personal belongings: documents, jewelry, money, etc. Firstly, we carry copies of documents and small amounts of money with us. Secondly, keep it all in a safe bag and firmly in your hands during the trip.

Cases of theft on the streets are not a regular occurrence in Vietnam, but there have been cases. Avoid evening rickshaw rides and suspicious unofficial taxis.

The unique culture of Vietnam has developed as a result of the fusion of traditions and beliefs of many peoples. Despite the difficulties and hardships experienced by the Vietnamese people, the culture of Vietnam continues to develop, and the people of this country continue to enjoy life. These are friendly, spiritually rich people who immediately put you at ease, and the culture of Vietnam arouses genuine interest among everyone who comes to this country.

Vietnamese culture

The culture of Vietnam is both a traditional way of life and, at the same time, modern technologies that harmoniously fit into the traditions of the local people.

Vietnamese culture: photos

Vietnamese culture: lifestyle, religion, traditions, art, cuisine

Despite the fact that the Vietnamese lifestyle may seem quite measured, they are hardworking people. Many people work almost seven days a week from early morning until late evening. The streets of Vietnam are bustling. The movement of motorbikes, cars and public transport in Vietnam seems chaotic and chaotic to Europeans. Local residents protect themselves from exhaust fumes and the hot sun with masks.

In terms of religion, more than half of Vietnam's population practices Buddhism. Here you can find beautiful Buddhist pagodas and Buddha statues. They can be made from a variety of materials, and many reach impressive sizes. Under the influence of the French, some residents of the country converted to Catholicism. Therefore, the Catholic Church is not uncommon in Vietnam. In general, colonial Vietnam felt a strong French influence. This is evidenced by the European-style villas and palaces that appeared in the country at that time.

Walking into any Vietnamese home, local restaurant, store or even office, you will find an ancestral altar. Vietnamese people honor the memory of their deceased relatives and regularly bring fresh fruits and flowers to the altar. Money, clean drinking water and incense sticks can also be seen at the altars. Particular attention is paid to the altar of the ancestors before the new year (Tet), which also symbolizes the onset of spring.

During Tet celebrations, Vietnamese streets and houses bloom with bright colors. Fresh flowers can be seen everywhere. Residents of Vietnam prefer to spend this most significant holiday of the year with their family. A popular Tet gift is a small red envelope with money. Representatives of the older generation give such envelopes to children. Another New Year's tradition is the lion dance. Dancers dressed in colorful costumes (usually two people control the lion) perform various rhythmic movements to the music.

Speaking about the culture of Vietnam, one cannot fail to mention the theater on the water. This art appeared in the 11th century and continues to live to this day. The performance takes place with live folk music right on the water. The actors in this unusual theater are not people, but puppets made of wood and other natural materials. The water theater is popular both among local residents and among tourists who come to get acquainted with the culture of Vietnam.

In Vietnam, a popular type of creativity is silk embroidery. There is a silk factory in Dalat where craftswomen create stunning paintings. These can be natural landscapes or portraits that amaze viewers with their complexity and beauty.

As for Vietnamese architecture, in addition to the most beautiful Buddhist temples, Cham architecture is of particular interest. The religious buildings built by these people fascinate with their antiquity and resistance to the passage of time. In large cities you can also see modern achievements in the field of architecture. For example, in the center of Ho Chi Minh City there is the Saigon Sky Dec skyscraper. This new tall tower attracts tourists thanks to its observation deck located on the 49th floor of the building. On the floor above there is a panoramic restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner, watching the life of a huge metropolis from above. Unusual from an architectural point of view is the unique Crayzy house hotel, located in Dalat. You can stay in it like a hotel, or you can come to it like a museum to be surprised by the unusual solutions of the talented architect Mrs. Dang Hang Nga.

Cuisine is also an element of the culture of any country. In Vietnam, the main components of dishes are rice and noodles. Seafood, as well as dishes made from pork, beef and chicken, are popular in the country. One of the most popular dishes is pho noodle soup. Vietnam is a country where you can taste exotic dishes - ostrich and crocodile meat, shark dishes, venison and snake. There is a stereotype that food in Vietnam is spicy. This is not entirely true. Almost all Vietnamese food is suitable for Europeans. The Vietnamese love to season their food with soy and fish sauces.

Vietnam is a socialist country and many of the orders and foundations here are very similar to those in the USSR: pioneers, councils, certificates and badges, as well as rather puritanical views in decent society (couples do not hug in public, many bathe exclusively in clothes or very closed swimsuits, women absolutely rarely drink and do not even always sit at the same table with the formal head of the family, despite complete management of the family budget). All this, of course, occurs in contrast to the ubiquitous small businesses, the presence of girls of easy virtue and soft drugs, which are quite openly offered to tourists on the streets of Saigon and resorts.

We see that the culture of Vietnam is a unique way of life, developing over millennia, currently built on the contrast of business and religion, socialism and capitalism, traditional way of life and modern achievements.

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