Vietnamese culture. Customs and traditions of Vietnam

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!

Each country has its own customs and traditions. And what, in the opinion of a European, seems like an insignificant trifle, somewhere in an eastern country can become strange or even offensive. Today's Vietnam is diligently integrating into modern world society, but for the majority of the population, its internal traditions and values ​​are of great importance. Here they try to observe centuries-old customs, and the way of life often remains unchanged. Foreigners should know about Vietnamese etiquette. After all, even if we visit close people, we always try to maintain the rules adopted by hospitable hosts.

What are they like, the Vietnamese

To put it in a few words, they are calm, good-natured and smiling. At first, the inhabitants of the Indochina Peninsula may seem somewhat indifferent and indifferent. The reason lies in upbringing and traditional mentality. Just look at the conversation when the Vietnamese tries not to look you in the eye. The point here is both a certain shyness and instilling respect for elders in position or age.

The difference in cultures is already felt in speech. Europeans are more emotional and open. And often joy or sadness manifests itself on our face. Vietnamese will smile and nod, even when refusing someone's request. And also kindly agree, but at the same time, without doing anything if they made a promise under some pressure. The word “no” is not a favorite word here. And if the question needs to be answered in the negative, and the European will do this without a shadow of embarrassment, then the Vietnamese, out of a sense of tact and delicacy, may offer to return to this question next time.

The words of Comrade Sukhov “The East is a delicate matter!” in Vietnam appear in all their glory. Residents of the Indochina Peninsula show miracles of discipline and restraint even in disputes. Heated discussions between Vietnamese are not accepted, and hot foreign guys engaged in a showdown or argument are looked at with disapproval. A smile on the face of an Eastern person can appear not only out of politeness. But as a sign of awkwardness or anxiety. And even as a result of misunderstanding or skepticism.

However, these rules do not apply to trade. Local market entrepreneurs raise the price several times, often smiling affectionately. They do not like to bargain and can afford unflattering treatment. The attitude towards tourists is often consumerist. What can you do, the country is just entering normal market relations and trade is somewhat reminiscent of the Russian market of the 90s. Therefore, before shopping, it is advisable to find out the average prices for the goods you need. If the seller offers to pay twice as much, you can negotiate, but if it’s 3-4 times as much, then you shouldn’t even start a conversation.

Greetings

Vietnamese are friendly people, but any touching of oneself is intolerable for them and is akin to an insult. According to local beliefs, the human soul lives in the head, so you shouldn’t disturb it again. Shoulders are the resting place of the patron spirit, so it is difficult for locals to understand the traditional Russian hugs and pats on the shoulder when meeting. If you don’t want to be branded a barbarian in this Asian country, maintain the personal space of its residents. And having inadvertently touched your shoulder, now deliberately perform the same action with the other, so as not to frighten away fleeting luck.

But European influence also penetrates this ancient land. And today the Vietnamese no longer consider it superfluous to shake hands with friends and partners. At the same time, a phrase is used, something like our “How are you?” As for greeting women, the etiquette here is similar to that of Europe. The lady should be the first to extend her hand. If such action is not followed, this does not mean that you are being ignored. Many Vietnamese women avoid manual contact. They are more accustomed to a small bow with palms joined at chest level.

Call me quietly by name...

But don't forget to insert the word "Mr" and "Mrs" before that. The Vietnamese are extremely scrupulous about their manner of address. Even a good friend should first be asked if you can address him by name. If the answer is positive, you don’t need to do this in front of strangers, and even in a personal conversation, don’t forget about courtesy and “Mr. Otherwise, such familiarity will be regarded as disrespect or a certain degree of intimacy between you.

Residents of Vietnam usually prefer to give the palm of honor when dating to their foreign counterpart. And only then, at your request, the person can give his name and position. Vietnamese speak quietly and may not make eye contact when introducing themselves.

Representative people in power in the country are called in the Western manner by their specialty or position, for example, “Mr. Doctor” or “Mr. Teacher.”

The address “comrade” is still alive. After all, the Communist Party of Vietnam is still considered the leading and guiding force in the country, although socialism here has a certain capitalist and glamorous touch.

Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov in Vietnamese

These are one of the most common surnames in Russia. Vietnam can also boast of this. Here, 90 percent of the population bears the 14 most common surnames. They have Nguyen alone, almost a third of all residents, 11% Chan and 9% Li.

A Vietnamese name can consist of 3–4 parts:

1. Father's surnames. They are often similar to imperial surnames. Today in the country, the majority of residents bear the surname of the last ruling dynasty, Nguyen. The General Secretary of the Communist Party is also named Nguyen Phu Trong.
2. Middle name. Nowadays, it shows that these people belong to the same generation (for example, brothers and sisters). Previously, the middle name indicated a person's gender. For women it was the same for everyone - Thi. Men had much more choice.
3. Personal name. It is the word that is often used to call a specific person. Personal names traditionally stand for something. Parents, when choosing a name for a child, express their desire to see the girl skillful, beautiful, polite, and their son strong, smart, and so on.

Vietnamese surnames are not as common and significant as ours. And even in a business environment, residents of the country address each other by name. And what to do if almost half of the country has the same surname. Imagine that only the Ivanovs work in your company?

In the old days, and even today, somewhere in the outback, children are given secret names that only those closest to them know.

This was done in the hope of protecting their child from evil spirits who could harm the child by learning such a secret code to the essence of a person. For everyone else, without further ado, the children were called in order: First Son, Second, and so on.

Signs and superstitions

All the life of the Vietnamese people are accompanied by a lot of different superstitions and signs. And at the same time, almost 80 percent of the population considers themselves atheists, but successfully combines this with the performance of various rituals. For example, many are sure that if a black cat jumps over the deceased, he will rise. Before you smile at such superstitions, remember if you didn’t secretly spit when you met the same unfortunate cat and didn’t knock on a piece of wood, afraid of jinxing the good news.

Among such prohibitions and superstitions in Vietnam are the following:

• Taking pictures together is unlucky.
• Whistle at night - a snake will crawl.
• To crawl between someone's legs is to make him stupid.
• Meet the funeral - you will be happy.
• Presenting one gift to the newlyweds means a quick divorce. The path would be better cheaper, but two pieces.

In Vietnam you are not allowed to pat children on the head. It is believed that this way the child will be deprived of protection from evil entities. There is no point in praising children. If somewhere in another country the child’s relatives would only be happy with such attention, then in Vietnam this is unacceptable. Suddenly the same dark forces find out about such a valuable child again and want to kidnap him.

Some subtleties

A few more rules that must be followed in this country. Here you cannot leave chopsticks in the plate and touch your neighbor with them. Well, this is something like the fact that we don’t fight with spoons during a feast. It is customary to pay for food in restaurants and cafes to those with higher status. And a Vietnamese guy will never ask his girlfriend to pay half of the bill; someone else pays.

When entering the house, shoes are left at the doorstep. The houses are very clean, and no one will steal your sandals. They enter temples and some shops barefoot. Additionally, visiting the pagoda requires women to cover their shoulders and knees, and men must wear trousers rather than shorts. You can often see mirrors on the front doors of houses on the street side. This is not for women to touch up the makeup they barely wear. The mirrors are here for the local dragons. If such a monster wants to climb into the house, it will approach the door and see its reflection. He will understand with his dragon head that there is already someone like him in the house and will go away. I wonder, do such mirrors save you from uninvited guests?

During their trips, some tourists like to show off their erudition and learn several common phrases. But in Vietnam it is undesirable to do this.

The Vietnamese language is quite difficult. There are six tones of spoken language here, and mispronouncing an innocuous word can turn it into an obscenity or insult. Also, here you shouldn’t make loud noise and show your emotions in public in every possible way, so as not to be branded as a rude foreigner. Be careful with your gestures. Any gestures aimed at attracting attention to oneself are considered uncivilized. It is correct to extend your hand with your palm down. If the palm faces up, according to local etiquette, such a person clearly demonstrates his disdain and superiority over others.

Let's start with the fact that in Vietnamese families it is customary to call children not by names, but by the order of their birth.

For example, the oldest will be called “big”, and the next ones will be called by serial numbers. Today this tradition has been lost, but remnants of it still remain in small, abandoned settlements. But what will be written below is still valid.

Traditions of national cuisine of Vietnam

The first thing that comes to mind for tourists upon arrival in Vietnam is visiting local restaurants. This country is very fond of spices and seasonings. Moreover, hot spices are considered the most favorite, and they begin to be consumed from a very young age. That is why what is hot and spicy for us is ordinary everyday food for the Vietnamese.

For example, locals add nuoc sauce to almost every dish., which is produced at a local fish factory. This is a strange substance prepared from salted fish using a technology that involves rotting. Not very pleasant for tourists, but the population really loves this sauce.

Also in Vietnam, tourists will definitely try insects and amphibians. This tradition also exists in Africa. But only in Vietnam you can taste the eggs of forest ants. It doesn’t look very appetizing in appearance, but some tourists claim that the eggs taste pleasant, and their juice has an astringent effect.

Beauty in Vietnamese

Many local traditions are associated with religious movements. Some Vietnamese to this day firmly believe that demons and spirits live next door to them, but no one can see them.

Also in Vietnam there is one interesting tribe that considers a person with white teeth to be a manifestation of demonic power. That is why all women are required to paint their teeth black. This is done not only for religious reasons, but is also considered a sign of charm.

When visiting Vietnam, tourists are used to seeing a lot of people chewing gum. The tradition of chewing something appeared many years ago, long before the creation of chewing candies.

The betel leaf, an aromatic plant that has a narcotic effect on humans, was used as chewing gum.

Since then, chewing betel nut has become a national tradition, but in recent years they are starting to get rid of it. Many establishments post signs banning betel nut. But if you are interested, you can ask any local resident for this piece of paper; no one will refuse, but they will consider the request a sign of friendliness.

Etiquette and superstitions

Every vacationer should know about local superstitions and ethics, otherwise you may find yourself in an awkward position.

1. Most Vietnamese people prefer a regular handshake, rather than the folding of hands in prayer, which is used only during holidays. Women generally avoid all touching.
2. Locals attach great importance to names, but new acquaintances are called "Mr."
3. You cannot touch a Vietnamese person on the head or shoulder. They consider this a sign of aggression. Also, during a conversation, they never look into the eyes of a person of high rank.
4. The entire Vietnamese population is always smiling. But you should not regard a smile as a sign of a good mood. Sometimes this facial expression can indicate sadness or even hostility.
5. In Vietnamese restaurants you cannot split the bill in half. The one with the higher status pays.

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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Also see: Phan Thiet resort , about Nha Trang resort, Vietnam, Last minute tours Vietnam

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.