CULTURE OF VIETNAM

THIS CULTURE IS SOMEWHAT LIKE CHINA AND THEY EAT PLENTY OF RICE. THIS CULTURE  IS ONE OF THE OLDEST  IN EAST ASIA.  IT HAS CONFUSION WITH SOCIAL AND MORAL ETHNICS.

BY THE 10TH CENTURY VIETNAM BEGAN INDEPENDENCE FROM CHINA AND A SOUTHERN EXPANSION OF TERRITORIES FROM CHINA FORMERLY BELONGING TO CHAMPA.  THE CULTURAL LIFE HAS BEEN DEEPLY CONTROLLED BY GOVERNMENT.  EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON SHARING THE CULTURE OF COMMUNIST NATIONS.  BY THE 1990'S VIETNAM HAS SEEN A GREATER RE EXPOSURE TO ASIA.  ANCESTOR
VENERATION AND RESPECT FOR COMMUNITY AND FAMILY VALUES AND HANDICRAFTS ARE IMPORTANT TO VIETNAMESE AS DRAGONS, TURTLES, LOTUSES AND BAMBOO.

HUMAN CHESS IS PLAYED BY PEOPLE IN AN OUTDOOR FIELD.  THE SQUARES ARE IN THE GRASS.  IT IS LIKE CHINESE CHESS.  THEY HAVE CANNONS AND GUARDS.

THE VIETNAM HAVE MANY LANGUAGES AND THEIR VILLAGE OR COUNTRY ARE IMPORTANT.  KINSHIP PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN VIETNAM.  UNLIKE WESTERN CULTURE, VIETNAM CULTURES VALUE CLAN OVER FAMILY AND CHINESE FAMILY OVER CLAN.

THEIR WEDDINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT EVENTS IN WHICH THEY CELEBRATE EASTERN ELEMENTS,  IN THE PAST MARRIAGES WERE ARRANGED BY PARENTS AND EXTENDED FAMILY.  THEY HAVE 2 MAIN CEREMONIES.  THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY IS BEFORE THE WEDDING AND HER FAMILY.GETS BOXES,  THE PRESENTS ARE NUTS, LEAVES, CAKE, FRUIT AND DOLLARS.  THE PRESENTS ARE COVERED WITH PAPER ON CLOTH.  FOR THE WEDDING CEREMONY
THE RELATIVES GO TO THE BRIDES HOUSE FOR ASKING PERMISSION TO BRING BRIDE TO GROOM'S HOUSE.  THE COUPLE ASKS THEIR ANCESTORS FOR MARRIAGE PERMISSION.

DURING THEIR FUNERAL THEY HOLD A WAKE AND THE FAMILY WASHES THE DECEASED AND IS LAID ON A GRASS MAT AND IN A COFFIN.  ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE INVOLVED IN TAKING THE BODY TO A BURIAL GROUND.  THE FAMILY BRINGS RICE TO THE FAMILY FOR 50 DAYS.  AFTER ONE YEAR THE CEREMONY IS AN ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DEATH.  AT THIS TIME A MONK PERFORMS A BLESSING OF THEIR FAMILY, AND PUTS THEM INTO A TRANCE AND OPENS A WAY FOR THE DECEASED.  AFTER 100 DAYS THE DEAD MAY BE ABLE TO POSSESS THE BODY OF A FAMILY MEMBER. THEY PRAY FOR 6 HOURS AND THEY BURN A PAPER

THEIR RELIGION IS OF EASTERN ASIAN MIX WITH SOME CATHOLICISM.  SOME BELIEVE IN NATIVE ANIMISM.

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