2. Beliefs, Values and Lifestyle in Vietnam
A detailed study

3. BELIEFS

5. Beliefs in Vietnam
Freedom of worship is guaranteed under the Vietnamese constitution which states that “all religions are equal before the law”
There are still tensions between the government and religious groups, particularly if the government feels the religion is entering political areas, but overall the last 20 years has seen considerable easing of attempted controls on people’s beliefs.

7. Beliefs in Vietnam
In Vietnam there is a common acceptance of the existence of heaven, called ‘Ong Troi’, which is the keeper of human fate. The Vietnamese people believe that deities and spirits deserve specific recognition. Small shrines are common throughout Vietnam for worshipping the spirits of their local area.

9. Beliefs in Vietnam
Buddhism is the most popular belief system in Vietnam with over 60% of the population claiming adherence. Other belief systems that attract significant following include Confucianism (which signifies the traditional cultural links to China), Taoism, Catholicism (from the time of French colonisation), Hindu, Islam and animists (spirit worshippers).

11. Beliefs in Vietnam
The sect of Cao Dai is a Vietnamese belief system that blends elements from Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Islam and Christianity. It has several million followers and holds its daily services at the spectacular temple at Tay Ninh. Many tourists also attend these services.

13. Beliefs in Vietnam
The Perfume Pagoda is a significant Buddhist site in Vietnam, also known as the mountain cave of Chua Huong. It is located in the south-west of Hanoi and is accessed by boat then a 4km hike up the mountain. It is the site of an annual festival in March, and dates back to the 13th century when Indian monks used it for meditation. IT became the main northern Vietnamese centre of Buddhism after a 16th century royal visit which proclaimed it the “first cave under the sky”.

14. VALUES

16. Values in Vietnam
Above all, the Vietnamese value their sense of national identity. As a review of its history will show, Vietnam has been obsessed with maintaining its independent nationhood. It has resisted Chinese cultural domination, French economic domination and American military domination due to their unwavering loyalty to their national identity and the high value they place on independence.

18. Values in Vietnam
Vietnamese people value patience because it reflects the Buddhist idea of accepting your fate. Tourist guidebooks warn visitors to be prepared to wait for bureaucracy to work slowly. Many Vietnamese are said to show patient resignation while waiting for decisions to be made.

20. Values in Vietnam
Vietnamese society values determination very highly, as demonstrated by their on-going drive to achieve national targets. The Vietnamese have a strong history of determination which has enabled them to undertake challenging, long-term tasks in their struggle for independence.

22. Values in Vietnam
In Vietnamese society, prestige is gained by having face, and saving face is critical in relationships within society. One result is that Vietnamese families will often overcommit themselves in order to gain face. For example, families often enter into elaborate and financially draining weddings to enhance their prestige within their society. The result can be financial ruin, but ‘face’ is gained, which is regarded as more important.

23. LIFESTYLE

25. Lifestyle in Vietnam
The festivals in Vietnam draw together a range of social and culture elements that reflect life in Vietnam then and now. Festivals in Vietnam play a range of roles. They may connect a village to real or imagined events or people from the past; they may be associated with the continuation of the natural cycle enabling agricultural success; and they provide people with a vital link to the history, culture and spiritual life of their village, region or country.

27. Lifestyle in Vietnam
The most significant festival in Vietnam is Tet, which celebrates the lunar new year. It is directly linked to the Chinese New Year, and each year is given the attribute of an animal such as snake, dragon or water buffalo. It is a time of renewal, and Tet sees a break from work and people returning home to spend time with family.

29. Lifestyle in Vietnam
Tet is an example of continuity and change in Vietnam lifestyle, as it represents a coming together of tradition and modern interpretations. Cultural continuity can be found in the Tet traditions such as settling debt before the new year, and avoiding sweeping, breaking chinaware and crying in the first three days after new year. These are all long held superstitions that are followed today. Cultural change can be see in the integration of tourism and globalisation into the festival such as specialty Tet coke cans.

31. Lifestyle in Vietnam
There are hundreds of local festivals held throughout the year, which are organised and run by each individual village. Villages hold their own local festivals in the two months are Tet. These are often characterised by elaborate costumes, dragon dancing and beating drums.

33. Lifestyle in Vietnam
Each Vietnamese city and area has distinctive aspects of its own lifestyle that has been developed over time and through the influences of tradition, foreign occupation and globalisation. Many ‘traditional’ aspects of Vietnamese culture have been formed by the influence of foreign powers. As the combination of globalisation and doi moi see Vietnam emerging as a tourist destination, there will be many changes to what have been traditional ways of life. The Vietnamese population is currently around 70% rural and 30% urban, but that this is likely to change. The rise of the internet has seen many aspects of western culture become common in Vietnam such as international movies, music and food.

34. Textbook Activity Page 197-199 Read the case study
Identify the continuities and changes in Vietnamese beliefs, values and lifestyle
Give specific examples

35. Continuities & Changes
Change: Economic growth is the 2nd highest in Asia
Change: multicultural influences in regards to food, bars/social life
Continuity: male entitlement – etiquette of police and expectations