A lot of traditional customs and cultural ways in Vietnamese history are still very much a part of modern life in Vietnam. Many customs and traditions are based on legends that originated thousands of years ago. There is a belief within the Vietnamese people that there was a clan chief many thousands of years ago named Loc Tuc. Loc Tuc had magical powers that could enable him to walk on water. From this we see that Vietnamese people are very mystical and have a lot of faith in legends. The Vietnamese people are an incredibly superstitious race as well; there are many decisions that are made in their daily life as a direct result of superstitious beliefs. A charm on a special necklace is supposed to ward off evil in a child. Dreaming of an occurrence of fire to a Vietnamese person is a sign they will be coming into money. Another hugely influential part of Vietnamese life is the twelve year lunar calendar. If a man and woman meet and want to marry if it is not compatible according to the lunar calendar they will not be able to marry. A simple thing such as the hoot of an owl is deemed a bad omen and the people of Vietnam associate this with ill health and anybody who hears this should be wary.
The people in Vietnam who work in the astrology field have made a lot of money over the years due to the heavy influence of superstitious on the people’s lives. As we know Vietnam has had its far share of wars and the superstitious was directly linked to this as well. Senior members in the army would refuse to attack the opposition if the position of the stars where not in their favor. However, some decisions based on such things where not based on mystical beliefs but logical thinking. If a general approached an astrologer to find out whether the stars were in their favor or not it would perhaps give them an incline as to what the next move of the opposition might be. Remember all Vietnamese people were superstitious and a lot of the conflict in the country was civil so building a strategy based on predicting what may happen according to the stars was a real possibility.
The leaders (Reformers) are really pushing for the superstitious traditions in Vietnam to be left in history and move on making decisions based on fact and logic. Some senior leaders in Vietnam see the superstitious ways that people have as a real problem and have even suggested making them an outlaw. This idea has never been passed and made real and I feel it would be very difficult to do so as superstition is a real part of Vietnamese culture.
The Vietnamese Culture also abides by a well established value system. Each of the values can interact with one another in most scenarios in life. The values are:
Allegiance of Family
Yearning for a good name
Love of learning
Respect for others
Gift giving is seen as an important tradition in Vietnam. The Vietnamese people value their interpersonal relationships and see giving as a good way to keep these relationships strong. I feel this will remain an important part of their culture as it maintains a harmony in their society which it lacked for so long.
Vietnamese culture in terms of dress is recognized the world over. Ladies are typically seen in Ao Dai, this being a long dress. Ladies in Vietnam do also wear western style clothing but these special garments are still worn throughout the country and are the natural choice when choosing clothing for an event that includes family gathering together and national celebrations. The Ao Dai is a two piece garment which is known to ‘cover everything, and hide nothing. The dress comes down to the feet but clings onto the body. This beautiful national costume comes in a variety of colors with older women wearing velvet versions. Ao Dai are still very much a part of Vietnamese culture and so if you visit the country these make for wonderful keep sake. Specific handmade Ao Dai’s can be made, often in less than a day, by tailors usually located in the towns of the country.
In Vietnam a huge amount of importance rests on how a person presents themselves. As a nation they are quite timid people and this come across all the time in their daily lives. When in the company of new people they will not be forward in introducing themselves, a mutual friend will typically have to do this. To introduce yourself is frowned upon and seen as very bad manners. So when visiting Vietnamese do keep this in mind. It is not that they are inhospitable, quite the opposite, it is just a part of their culture.
You may expect the people of Vietnam to bow their heads on first meeting you but this is no longer custom in the country. You will still see it in some places but a handshake is also a common sight. This is quite something considering a handshake was once seen in country as a barbaric act. It should also be noted on meeting a Vietnamese person you should greet them by their surname preceded by their title e.g.: Mr., Miss……To call somebody by their first name suggests a close intimacy and is therefore deeply frowned upon.
Some other Vietnamese cultures that may be taken for granted on other parts of the world are:
-Never touch a Vietnamese person on the head or shoulder. They believe spirits and genies live there
and to touch a person there disturbs the spirit or genie.
-Do not ask a Vietnamese person a negative question. It is not unusual for them answer ‘yes’ to most
questions and so this could cause some real confusion.
-There should be no shouting in front of a Vietnamese person. They are an incredibly disciplined race
of people and to have a loud argument in public is seen as a disgrace and is utterly unacceptable.
The Vietnamese people are unique in their ways, they live by cultures that has governed their nation
for a thousand years. These beliefs and practices put them in good relationships with other counties.
They have not ever abandoned their true roots and have managed to overcome such atrocities with
grace and dignity. Something the Vietnamese people will forever be recognized for is their discipline. It is a trait that is lacking in many a western country and in fact all over the world. I feel there is a lot
we can learn from the Vietnamese. This nation seems to achieve what a lot of us struggle with, a peaceful harmony without excessiveness and constant consumption. A wonderful attraction of Vietnam
is the way you really can have the best of both world. If you want to experience a busy bustling Vietnam you can by travelling from city to city. There are often festivals on and if you plan ahead
you can catch some of the best Vietnam has to offer and soak up the culture. For down time the country sides are ideal. Vietnam also caters for the person looking for tranquil peace surrounded by some of the best landscapes Asia has to offer. Visiting Vietnam will be an experience you will never forget, and will take you places you never imagined could exist.