the charming vietnamese capital has aged well
TRANSCRIPT
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The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter,
monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern
developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names,
including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon," but it hasn't forgotten its past, as
sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks,shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of
this city, which is easily explored by taxi.
Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East
Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its
street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined
to produce this unique heritage site. ( UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet
Dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet. It was constructed on the
remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land
reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Hanoi. It was the center of regional political
power for almost 13 centuries without interruption. The Imperial Citadel buildings
and the remains in the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site reflect a unique South-
East Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley, at the crossroads
between influences coming from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of
Champa in the south. ( UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
Complex of Hu MonumentsVietnam
Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802,
Hu was not only the political but also the cultural and religious center under theNguyen dynasty until 1945. The Perfume River winds its way through the Capital
City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this
unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty. ( UNESCO World
Heritage Centre)
A World Heritage Site since: 1993
Ha Long Bay
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Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600
islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of
their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a
human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great
biological interest. ( UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
A World Heritage Site since: 1994
My Son Sanctuary
Vietnam
Between the 4th and 13th centuries a unique culture
which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism developed on the coast of
contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series
of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and
political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. ( UNESCOWorld Heritage Centre)
A World Heritage Site since: 1999
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National ParkVietnam
The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
has evolved since the Paleozoic (some 400 million years ago) and so is the oldest
major karst area in Asia. Subject to massive tectonic changes, the parks karstlandscape is extremely complex with many geomorphic features of considerable
significance. The vast area, extending to the border of the Lao Peoples
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Democratic Republic, contains spectacular formations including 65 km of caves
and underground rivers. ( UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
A World Heritage Site since: 2003
tinations in Vietnam::: Where to go in Vietnam: Hanoi, Hue, Saigon, Halong Bay,
Hoi An, Mekong Delta,
Expect a new travel experience. Expect to see a picture perfect landscape of
rice paddies and water buffalo. Expect wide tree-lined streets full of bicycles
and motorcycles, which are a challenge to cross! Expect to be smiled at a lot,
expect to smile backyou cant help it! Expect curious locals to engage you in
unexpected conversations, invitations to enjoy a cup of tea. Expect the
occasional mishapa delayed flight or a short power outage. Expect endlessphoto opportunities. Expect to find bargains! Expect to sample a new and
unique cuisine. Expect to eat French baguettes warm and crisp and baked fresh
every morning. Expect the noise and the heat. Expect to learn about daily
rituals and traditions performed for hundreds of years. Expect grace and beauty
as you watch the young school girls in their white ao dais (traditional gowns)
ride by on their bicycles.
EXPECT THINGS TO BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY ARE ATHOME - ISN'T THIS THE REASON YOU CAME ?
Saigon and the Environs
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)Once romantically referred to by the French
as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City
is still called Saigon by almost everyone
who lives there. It is a modern city by Asian
standards and has only been under firm
Vietnamese control for a little more than
200 years. The city's character remains
essentially French -- with wide boulevards,colonial villas, and a lively caf society --
but also resolutely Asian. It has more of a
cosmopolitan feel than Hanoi, although
much of the old French colonial city is
vanishing beneath the rapidly rising skyline
and the sheer weight of recent
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history. Combined with this vivacious street
life, the city's French influences have bred a
charm all their own.
Tay NinhCao Dai Great Temple is the cathedral of the
Cao Dai religion and is the main attraction
in Tay Ninh. The temple, built between
1933 and 1955, is located more specifically
in Long Hoa, 5-km southeast of Tay Ninh.
The Great Temple is 140 m long and 40 m
wide. It has 4 towers each with a different
name: Tam Dai, Hiep Thien Dai, Cuu Trung
Dai, and Bat Quai Dai. The interior of the
temple consists of a colonnaded hall and a
sanctuary. The 2 rows of columns aredecorated with dragons and are coated in
white, red, and blue paint.
The domed ceiling is divided into 9 parts similar to a night sky full of stars and
symbolizing heaven. Under the dome is a giant star-speckled blue globe on
which is painted the Divine Eye, the official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai
followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Laotze, and Buddha.
Mekong River DeltaMekong Delta is the southern rice bowl of
Vietnam, a fertile area covered with rice
fields and winding tributaries of the Mekong
River. Originating in the high plateau of
Tibet, the Mekong River is over 2600 miles
long travels through China, Myanmar, Laos
and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam
where it empties into the South China
Sea. The Delta is a colorful display of rural
life with its lush vegetation, island farms
and floating markets. Places of interest in
the Mekong Delta include My Tho, VinhLong, Can Tho and Chau Doc.
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Phan Thiet is a quaint fishing villagelocated along the southeastern coast, known
today for its stretch of pristine powder sand,
crystal clear waters and spectacular sand
dunes. This small village offers little in
terms of recreation and dining but the resort
properties offer a quiet retreat. Coco Beach,
Bamboo Village and the newly built
Victoria Phan Thiet, all offer bungalow-style
accommodations and the Novotel Ocean
Dunes Resort offers a golf course. Phan
Thiet is becoming a popular stop for
overseas travelers.
Central HighlandsDaLat, Le Petit Paris, was the name givento this former French hill station. The
Vietnamese call it City of Eternal Spring
because of the cooler, fresher air of this
mountainous region. DaLat is nestled in the
central highlands and renowned for its
tranquil beauty; a favorite of the French
during colonial days. the French influence is
evident in the hundreds of lovely colonial
villas dotted throughout the town. DaLats
alpine landscape of pine forests, rolling hills
and tranquil lakes make it a popular getaway
for honeymooners and travelers
Buon Ma Thuot, is the coffee capital of Vietnam. Its scenic landscape offersflowing waterfalls and forested mountains and is inhabited by a variety of
ethnic hill tribes. Visitors can visit coffee and rubber plantations, hill tribe
villages and enjoy an elephant trek.
Pleiku and Kontum The Central Highlands is one of the most remote andleast populated areas of Vietnam the Central Highlands is peaceful today with
its virgin forest, mountains, waterfalls and wildlife, the Central Highlands wasan area of intense battles during the American-Vietnam War. Pleiku, home to
the Jarai hill tribe andKontum home to the Banhar hill tribe are the main towns
in this mountainous area. Explorers can take elephant treks through the jungle
and overnight in a hill tribe communal longhouse.
Central Coastal Region
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Hue is the ancient royal capital of theNguyen Dynasty whose magnificent tombs
are a major attraction. Hue is situated in
the central coastal area; the Perfume River
winds through the center of town, past the
Citadel and Forbidden Purple City, which
was modeled after the Forbidden City in
Beijing.There are many important
historical and cultural sites such as the
Thien Mu Pagoda and the many
mausoleums of the Nguyen emperors that
can be found in the small villages around
Hue. Designated by UNESCO as a cultural
heritage site it is one of Vietnams major
attractions.Da Nangis Vietnams third international gateway and a major seaport withmagnificent beaches. Its historical significance stems back to 192AD when it
was the capital of the Kingdom of Champa. Relics from this period can be
found in the open-air Cham Museum, considered to be one of the finest
collections of Cham sculptures in the world, and at the ruins of My Son where
twenty Hindu-like temples are still standing. DaNang was also the site of the
first military landing in 1965 by American troops and was a major base for
American Marines and naval forces during the war. Sightseeing includes
Marble Mountain, with its natural grottos and Buddhist sanctuaries and China
Beach a favorite rest and recreation center for American troops.
Hoi An-The World CultureHeritage This lovely and well-preserved600-year-old town, is an architectural living
museum with its eclectic mix of restored
homes, winding streets and ancient
bridges. In the 16th-18
thcenturies it was an
international trading port connecting Asia
and the West. The influence of the traders
and seamen from Portugal, China, Japan,and France are evident throughout this
lovely town.
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Nha Trang Offers the widest selection ofaccommodations of all the seaside areas in
Vietnam; it also has some of the best-
known beaches and pristine
waters. Becoming popular for snorkeling
and diving it has a lively atmosphere, many
ocean front seafood restaurants and
sidewalk cafes. Beautiful examples of the
Cham culture can be found in the 10th-
century Po Nagar Towers.
Hanoi and the NorthHanoithe capital of Vietnam was founded in
1010. It is the center of cultural and
political life, a city of lakes, broadboulevards and almost 600 temples and
pagodas. The city has retained much of its
old architecture and colonial
charm. Amongst the many sights in this
lovely city are the one-pillared pagoda,
originally built in 1049; the Temple of
Literaturefirst university in Vietnam,
founded in 1070; and Ho Chi Minhs
mausoleum. A cyclo ride (man-powered
taxi) through HanoisOld Quarteralongwinding streets whose names include
Coffin Street, Silk Street, Chicken Street,
Basket Street offers an exciting glimpse
into Hanoi life.
HaLong Bay
One of the most scenic areas in Vietnam,
has over 3000 fascinating sculptured
islands rising from the clear emerald watersof the Gulf of Tonkin. The rock formations
are full of lovely grottos, caves and small
beaches. A journey by motorized sampan
allows you to wander through these rock
formations which legend says were made
by a mighty dragon whose feet caused the
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formation of mountains in the sea.
Hoa Lu was the first capital of Vietnamduring the Ly Dynasty 968-1010 AD. It is
a scenic area with limestone hills and
gently flowing rivers. Many of the
beautiful 11th-century temples still remain,
including the Temple of Dinh Tien Hoang,
one of the finest examples of
medieval architecture in Vietnam. Our tour
includes a gentle sampan journey through
the hills and caves of this historic area.
Hoa Binh and Mai Chau Valley lie across the Red River Valley at thefoothills of Ha Son Binh province. The air is crisp, and the road becomes
tougher. The Mai Chau Valley shimmers with tiny villages that nestle beneath
the towering limestone cliffs. In this area live the Muong communities andBlack Thai minority. The Muong are farmers growing rice, sugarcane and tea.
Silk production and weaving are common village industries. The area is very
scenic with jagged limestone peaks and deep valleys. The region provides
wonderful trekking, and hiking. Accommodation in the local village
communities is very basic but the welcome is genuine.
Huong Pagoda is an important religiousdestination for the Vietnamese. There are
three pagodas, Pagoda of the Perfumed
Vestiges, Pagoda of Purgatory and Pagoda
Leading to Heaven. They are set into the
sides of the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich
Mountain along the River Yen. It is a very
picturesque area and part of the journey is
by boat through the limestone outcroppings.
The scenery is similar to that of Guilin
China but on a smaller scale.
Sapa high in the mountains, close to theChinese border, is home to many
minority hill tribes. SaPa is surrounded byladder rice fields, mountains and
forests. To reach Sapa, we journey by
overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and
then continue by car up the mountain.
Vietnams indigenous flora and fauna are inabundance in this region. The Victoria
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Hotel blends beautifully into the
surrounding mountains and provides a
wonderful rest stop to enjoy this
mountainous region of Vietnam.
Dong Ho is a small village outside of Hanoi known as the printers village. Itwas originally inhabited by one family who for 400 years and 20 generations
have been artist-craftsmen producing rustic and colorful pictures printed from
etched wooden blocks. The paper is made by hand and natural inks are derived
from local materials. Artistic creativity was not the inspiration for Dong Ho
prints; rather each is intended to convey a popular fable, allegory, social value
or historical struggle. Dong Ho is recognized by UNESCO as a traditional craft
village.
Vietnamese people
Vietnam has one of the mostcomplex ethno linguistic
patterns in Asia. The
Vietnamese were significantly
Sinicized during a millennium
of Chinese rule. Vietnamese,
one of the Mon-Khmer
languages of the Austro-Asiatic
language family, exhibits strong
Chinese influence. Indianinfluence is found among the
Cham and Khmer minorities.
The Cham, whose language
belongs to the Austronesian
language family, formed the
majority population in the
Indianized kingdom of Champa
in what is now central Vietnam
from the 2nd century to the late
15th century AD. Smallnumbers of Cham remain in the
south-central coastal plain and
in the Mekong delta near the
Cambodian border. The Khmer
(Cambodians), whose language
is one of the Mon-Khmer
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languages, are scattered
throughout the Mekong delta.
Many other ethnic groups
inhabit the highlands. While
cultures vary considerably in
the central highlands, shared
characteristics include a
traditional way of life still
largely oriented around kin
groups and small communities.
Known collectively by the
French as Montagnards
("Highlanders"), these peoples
have affinities with other
Southeast Asians. Many groupssuch as the Rade (Rhade),
Jarai, Chru, and Roglai--speak
Austronesian languages,
linking them to the Cham,
Malay, and Indonesian peoples;
others--including the Bru,
Pacoh, Katu, Cua, Hre,
Rengao, Sedang, Bahnar,
Mnong, Mang (Maa), and
Stieng--speak Mon-Khmer
languages, affiliating them with
the Khmer.
Highlanders have experienced little Chinese or
Indian influence, but they were exposed to
Western (French and then American) influence
from the late 19th century until the early 1970s.
French missionaries and administrators provided
roman script for some of the Montagnard
languages, and additional orthographies have beendevised since. The Montagnards have exhibited an
intense desire to preserve their own cultural
identities. The various groups in the uplands of
northern Vietnam have ethnolinguistic affiliations
with peoples in Thailand, Laos, and southern
China. The largest of these are the tribal Tai
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(Thai) groups who speak Tai languages and
generally live in upland valleys. H'mong (Miao, or
Meo) and Mien groups, who speak languages of
the Sino-Tibetan language family, are scattered at
higher elevations.
Demographic trendsVietnam's population has grown rapidly since
reunification in 1975. As a result, an increasing
proportion of the population is young.
The migration pattern long has been predominantly
from north to south, and more recently there also
has been migration from the lowlands to higherelevations and from rural to urban areas. In 1954
nearly one million people moved from north to
south. In both the north and the south in the late
1950s, there were programs to resettle ethnic
Vietnamese from the lowlands to the uplands.
While these programs were discontinued in the
south in 1963, they continued in the north; between
1976 and 1980 they were revived throughout the
country and greatly intensified, with a significant
number of people moving from the south to thecentral highlands. Since then, however, there has
been an overall flow of migrants into Ho Chi Minh
City and its environs, as well as into the central
highlands. Out-migration has been greatest in partsof the northeast and along the central coastal plain.
The Vietnamese LanguageVietnamese Vietnam's official language, is a tonal
language that can be compared to Cambodia's
official language, Khmer. With each syllable, there
are six different tones that can be used, which
change the definition and it often makes it difficult
for foreigners to pick up the language. There are
other languages spoken as well such as Chinese,
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Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes
inhabiting the mountainous regions. Although
there are some similarities to Southeast Asian
languages, such as Chinese, Vietnamese is thought
to be a separate language group, although a
member of the Austro-Asiatic language family. In
written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet
and accent marks to show tones. This system of
writing called quoc ngu, was created by Catholic
missionaries in the 17th century to translate the
scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly
after World War I, replaced one using Chinese
characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial
written form used for centuries.
Vietnamese Cuisine
Restaurants in Vietnam
Vietnam is a long, skinny country stretching from Hanoi and the Red River in the
north to Ho Chi Minh City and the fertile Mekong River Delta in the south. These
ends are connected by a mountainous spine that runs along the South China Sea.
On the west, Vietnam is bordered by Laos and Cambodia, and to the north, lies
China. The food of the north, through stir-fries and noodle-based soups, shows the
heavy influence of Chinese cooking. The mountainous middle section, with the
former Imperial capitol, Hue, at its center, has an abundance of fresh produce. It
was in Hue that royal chefs developed the more elaborate dishes of Vietnamese
cuisine. The southern region is tropical, sustaining rice paddies, coconut groves,
and many more spices than the north.
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Beef noodles-Vietnamese favouritefood
As in the rest of Southeast Asia, there is
an ancient layer of Indian cultural
presence, most obviously evidenced in the
religion of Buddhism French colonization
of Vietnam, which began in the 16th
century and ended in the middle of the
20th century, also had a deep influence on
Vietnamese cooking. The cuisine balances
all these influences. One street vendor
may noodle soup, pho bo, from his cart.
The next vendor over might sell baguette
smeared with one of the many ground
pork concoctions known as pts. Both
may be complemented by the ubiquitous
native fish sauce (nuoc nam) or dippingsauce (nuoc cham -- made from fish
sauce, water, sugar, and lime juice and
seasoned with chiles and garlic).
As in many of the neighboring countries, a Vietnamese meal is rarely divided into
courses. All the food is served at once and shared from common dishes. Meals are
anchored by a starch, usually rice and sometimes noodles (especially in the north
where grain is more prevalent than rice). The Vietnamese prefer long-grain rice to
the glutinous short grain varieties preferred by northern Thai and Japanese palates.
Most meals include a soup, a stir-fry, and another main dish.
Often, a light salad with shrimp or beef and vegetables will accompany the meal.
Like the Chinese, the Vietnamese eat from a bowl with chopsticks.
Vietnamese cooking is generally not as rich or heavy as the coconut milk curries,
of, say, Thailand or India. All that coastline means that fish and seafood are central
to the diet. Other meats -- pork, beef, and chicken -- are also common, but in
smaller quantities. Vegetables are often left raw, especially in the south, to act as a
fresh contrast to the spicy cooked meat. The distinct flavors of Vietnamese food
come primarily from: mint leaves, coriander, lemon grass, shrimp, fish sauces
(nuoc nam and nuoc cham), star anise, ginger, black pepper, garlic, basil, rice
vinegar, sugar, and green onions. Many flavorful marinades are made by somecombination of these flavorings. Marinated meat or fish is quickly sauted in the
wok and served with an array of raw vegetables and herbs. All this may be eaten
over rice or rolled in a rice-paper wrapper or lettuce leaf (or both), then dipped into
a pungent sauce.
Roll Your Own
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The other do-it-yourself element in many Vietnamese meals comes with roll-your-
own rice-paper rolls. For example, grilled chunks of lemongrass beef (thit bo
nuong), grilled meatballs (nem nuong), or freshly steamed shrimp (tom) all come
served with a salad plate together with a stack of moist rice papers (banh trang) or
fresh rice wrappers (banh uot). You lay a wrapper on your open palm, put in a
piece or two of meat, several strips of pickled radish, perhaps some herbs, sprouts,
or rice vermicelli, then tuck over the ends and roll it up. You now have your own
unique fresh spring roll that can be dipped in nuoc cham or nuoc leo, or eaten
simply on its own.
Market and Restaurant FoodsMarket food is at its best, and offers the
greatest selection in the morning before
the day gets hot. While breakfast in the
south and north is generally soup, in rural
areas it can be xoi-sticky rice steamed ina leaf wrapper.
Often peanuts or mung beans are
steamed with the rice.In addition to street
food, you'll want to experience a Bo Bay
Mon or "Beef Seven Ways" restaurant.
Beef dishes include beef fondue (bo
nhung dam), grilled beef-stuffed leaves
(bo la lot), beef pate steamed in banana
leaves (cha dum), and beef rice soup
(chao thit bo).
BeveragesFreshly pressed sugarcane juice is available from vendors in the afternoon and
evening. Vietnamese beer is good; try Saigon Beer or 333. Vietnam grows its own
tea in the region around Dalat. Tea is consumed morning to night; it's served before
or after but never during a meal. For another caffeine hit, try Vietnamese coffee
black and hot or iced with condensed milk, with sugar- our favorite. The coffee is
made in individual slow-drip filters and can be very strong.
VIETNAMESE CULTURE
Family and Social CultureBefore the late 1980s, nearly all Vietnamese people lived in villages, and the
cultivation of wet rice was the principal economic activity. The basic component of
rural society was the nuclear family, composed of parents and unwed children.
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Respect for parents and ancestors is a key
virtue in Vietnam. The oldest male in the
family is the head of the family and the
most important family member. His
oldest son is the second leader of the
family. Sometimes, related families live
together in a big house and help each
other. The parents chose their children's
marriage partners based on who they
think is best suited for their child. When
people die, their families honor their
ancestors on the day of their death by
performing special ceremonies at home
or at temples and by burning incense and
fake money for the one who died.The Vietnamese believed that by burning incense, their ancestors could protect
them and their family from danger and harm. Days before the ceremony starts, the
family has to get ready, because they won't have enough time to get ready when
the guests arrive and the ceremony starts. Usually the women cook and prepare
many special kinds of food, like chicken, ham, pork, rice, and many more
including desserts.
While the women are busy cooking, the men are
busy fixing up and cleaning up the house, so it
won't be messy and dirty because of all the
relatives of the person that died will come for
the ceremony and show honor and respect to
that person.
Families venerated their ancestors with special
religious rituals. The houses of the wealthy
were constructed of brick, with tile roofs. Those
of the poor were bamboo and thatch. Rice was
staple food for the vast majority, garnished with
vegetables and, for those who could afford it,
meat and fish.The French introduced Western values of individual freedom and sexual quality,
which undermined and the traditional Vietnamese social system. In urban areas,
Western patterns of social behavior became increasingly common, especially
among educated and wealthy Vietnamese attended French schools, read French
books, replaced traditional attire with Western-style clothing, and drank French
wines instead of the traditional wine distilled from rice. Adolescents began to resist
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the tradition of arranged marriages, and women chafed under social mores that
demanded obedience to their fathers and husbands. In the countryside, however,
traditional Vietnamese family values remained strong.
The trend toward adopting Western values continues in South Vietnam after the
division of the country in 1954. Many young people embraced sexual freedom and
the movies, clothing styles, and rock music from Western cultures became popular.
But in the North, social ethnics were defined by Vietnam Communist Partysprinciples. The government officially recognized equality of the sexes, and women
began to obtain employment in professions previously dominated by men. At the
same time, the government began enforcing a more puritanical lifestyle as a means
to counter the so-called decadent practices of Western society. Traditional values
continued to hold sway in rural areas and countryside, where the concept of male
superiority remained common.
In the 1980s, the Vietnamese government adopted an economic reform program
that freely from free market principles and encouraged foreign investment andtourism development. As a result, the Vietnamese people have become
increasingly acquainted with and influenced by the lifestyles in developed
countries of South East Asia and the West.
Arts and Handicrafts in VietnamCeramics and pottery have been around Vietnam, it isbelieved, since the Neolithic period. During the 11th
century ceramics were in great demand for religious
purposes with the popularity of Buddhism. Religious
objects as well as statues were needed and were
produced with great skill. The beauty and elegance of
ceramics caused the aristocracy, as well as emperors, to
become patrons of kilns in the Red River Delta. Cups,
dishes, etc., with whitish-ivory and jade-green glazes
were produced in the 12th century, gradually increasing
in ornamentation during the 15th and 16th
centuries. With the adoption of cobalt blue from China,
Vietnam started producing blue-white ceramics which
were still being produced as late as the 19th century in
royal workshops, and in the village of Bat Trang(Hanoi).
Woodcarving, considered to be a
peasant art, was until recently a
hidden art within Vietnam. It was
not until 1972 that the country
realized the beautiful art hidden
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within it's country's homes.
This art uses ironwood, ebony, reddish mahogany and rosewood (yak wood) with
the natural beauty of the wood just adds to the finished product, whether it be in a
temple, home or a statue. Adding to the natural beauty, sometimes several layers
of lacquer and color are applied making it even more breathtaking. Woodcuts
initially came from China, but is now considered to be a traditional Vietnamese
art. These are mainly used for book illustrations and for pictures during Tet
(Tranh Tet- traditional New Year's pictures).
Dong Ho PaintingsYou may have seen them before. They adorn the walls of Vietnamese restaurants
everywhere in the world. Vietnamese people hang them up as Lunar New Year
approaches. In Vietnam, production of these folk paintings peaks right before Tet
as merchants stock up in anticipation of heavy customer demand.
The Print Making ProcessThese paintings are traditionally used to decorate homes for
the New Year festival. The prints are made by brushing
paint made of local material onto carved wood blocks, then
pressing the blocks on paper. The print is left to dry after
each color is applied before another color is added. Three to
five colors are used to make each print.
The Wood BlocksThe wooden blocks are made from the thi tree, a soft
fibrous wood. The block is used as a printing plate, with
one block for each color, print and size. The blocks are
usually kept in a separate warehouse to preserve them in
their finest form.
The PaperThe prints are all done on traditional giay gio paper made from the bark fiber of
the do tree. This tree grows in the northwestern part of the country. The sheath is
stripped off the tree trunk and soaked in a pond for a month. It is then dipped in
limewater for two weeks, followed by a wash. After ten days or so the pulp is
poured into frames which are stacked for several more days. Then the stacks are
arranged on a wall to dry, and pressed smooth with a stone mortar. The paper iscoated with a pulverized powder made from shellfish found in the Hai Phong area.
The shellfish is brought to the village and coated with mud for two years.
The entire mixture is then ground up by stone mortar and put into a water tank to
be filtered and pressed into balls that weigh about a kilo and they are left to dry on
the walls or floors. They are then used as needed and mixed with glue. This
mixture is called diep powder.
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The BrushThe prints are painted with a beautiful brush made of spruce. The thetbrushes are
made from dried spruce leaves bound together. These brushes are made in a village
not far away and come in various sizes. The leaves are pounded with salt water and
a hammer to make the brush tip soft enough and are bound together and flattened
at the top.
The PaintThe folk art simplicity has strong and simple contours with bright colors that are
made from dried bamboo leaves, the local fruits, flowers and leaves. The paint is
mixed in large earthenware pots. The colors are mixed by hand and each artisan
has his or her own formula. The red paint is made from soi son, a soft stone that is
found in the region. The blue paint is made from indigo leaves found in the
minority areas. Both of these paints must be soaked in an earthenware pot for a
couple of years and strained of all impurities.
Yellow paint usually comes from the sophora tree whose flowers are as small asrice kernels. The flowers are roasted in a pan until they turn brownish-yellow.
When water is added and the mixture is boiled, the yellow color appears. The
liquid is filtered and the pulp thrown away. The violet color comes from the mong
toi fruit. Black paint comes from the bamboo tree. When the bamboo trees shed
their leaves,
they are burned to a cinder, then sprinkled with water and put in a glazed clay jar
half filled with water. After a year or more the water is strained and the black ink is
ready for use after being mixed with glutinous rice glue.
Grinding glutinous rice into a fine powder and mixing it with water makesthe rice glue. As the rice powder settles to the bottom, the clear water is
skimmed off every day, to prevent the contents from
fermenting. Traditional Female Ao DaiThe ao dai appears to flatter every figure.
Its body-hugging top flows over wide
trousers that brush the floor. Slits in the
gown extend well above waist height and
make it comfortable and easy to move in.
Although virtually the whole body is
swathed in soft flowing fabric, these slitsgive the odd glimpse of a bare midriff,
making the outfit very sensual. Over
time, the traditional "ao dai" has gone
through certain changes. Long gowns are
now carefully tailored to fit the body of a
Vietnamese woman.
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The two long slits along the side allow the gown to have two free floating panels in
the front and at the back of the dress. The floating panels expose a long pair of
white silk trousers. In recent years some foreign fashions have been introduced to
Vietnam; however, the traditional "ao dai" remains preferable to women in both
urban and rural settings. On formal occasions, they wear a special three layered
dress called an "ao dai", a long gown with slits on either side.
Traditional female Ao Tu ThanThe outer garment is a special silk gown called an "ao tu than" which is brown or
light brown in colour with four slits divided equally on its lower section. The
second layer is a gown in a light yellow colour and the third layer is a pink gown.
When a woman wears her three gowns, she fastens the buttons on the side, and
leaves those on the chest unfastened so that they form a shaped collar. This allows
her to show the different colors on the upper part of the three gowns. Beneath the
three gowns is a bright red brassiere which is left exposed to cover the woman's
neck.In general, Vietnamese clothing is very diverse. Every ethnic group in Vietnam has
its own style of clothing. Festivals are the occasion for all to wear their favorite
clothes.
Festivals in Vietnam
TET FESTIVAL (Lunar New Year)The largest traditional festival of the Vietnamese people
is tet , which is celebrated nationally from the first lunar
month (late January or early February).
It is primarily a festival for the family . People reunite
with their relatives on these days to make offerings to
ancestors or to visit the church , tombs and wells in the
place in which they were raised . Rich or poor , every
family has a tray of good food , a bottle of wine , cakes ,
flowers and fruits to offer their ancestors .
Elephant Racing FestivalThis festival is celebrated in the Spring, in the 3rd lunar month. It is usually held in
Don village or in forests near the Sevepoi River, in Dak Lak province. At thesignal , the mahouts take their elephants to the start line .Once the start command is
given, all the elephants rush to the exciting beat of the drums and gongs,
accompanied by the viewers cheering. The winning elephant waves to the audience
with its trunk. The elephant will often take this opportunity to flap its ears gently
and to give tender looks to receive sugar cane from the viewers. Elephant races are
the biggest festival to take place in the middle highlands. It bears the martial spirit
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of M'nong ethnic groups, which is very famous for bravery and experience in
hunting wild elephants.
Do Son Buffalo Fighting FestivalAlthough the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is officially held on the 9th of the
8th lunar month in Hai Phong, preparations start several months before. Fighting
buffaloes must be carefully selected, well fed, and trained. The selection of the
official fighting buffaloes starts in May when qualification matches take place in
small villages. Only 6 buffaloes will participate in the final fight.
The festival begins with a procession to the communal house where offerings from
several little villages are presented to the gods; such gifts include a buffalo, a pig,
and a basket of sticky rice. The procession, in which the buffaloes are covered with
red cloth, also includes 12 young men, also dressed in red, who take the buffaloes
to the fighting circle.
After the young men perform the "Opening the match" dance, a pair of buffaloes
are led into the fighting circle. The two buffaloes fight until the defeated gives upand runs away. The winner then goes on to fight another buffalo until a final
winner is determined.
Vietnamese LanguageVietnamese is basically a monosyllabic languagehaving six tones, which gives the language a sing-
song effect. A word can be repeated with any one
of six tones to indicate six different meanings. For
example, the word ma has six different meanings
according to the tone which the word carries:
phantom, ghost; cheek; but, which, who; tomb;
horse; young rice seedling.
Vietnamese has three basic dialects, all are
generally understood by most Vietnamese
speakers.
It is very different from English; verbs do not change forms, articles are not used,
nouns do not have plural endings, there are no prefixes, no suffixes, no definitive
and no distinction among pronouns. Its complex vocabulary reflects basic cultural
values. Name and Naming
Traditionally, Vietnamese people list their family name first, then their middle
name, with their first (given) name listed as last. Family members use different
given names (first names aren't passed down), and the name reflects some
meaning. Most names can be used for either gender.
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In Vietnam, we never call our parents, grand-parents, teachers, uncles, aunts by
their first names, but Western people do. "Co", "Thay", "Chu", "Bac" is alwaysadded. In addition, the people from the south of Vietnam usually call their
relatives, their neighbours by their ranks in their family instead of their first
names