2. Vietnam "Đ ộ c l ậ p – T ự do – Hanh phúc ” “Independence-Freedom-Happiness”

3. Table of Content Introduction Music Food Clothing Religion Language Landscape & Conclusion

4. Introduction I come from the country of Vietnam, born in Ho Chi Minh City and moved to Toronto, Canada. Vietnam is a southeastern country in Asia. It has a total population of 92.6+ million as of 2015. It’s also a pretty nice place to vacation at.

5. Music Traditional Vietnamese Music -Influenced by Chinese music. -“Đàn gáo” is one of many unique instruments from Vietnam. Most songs are about love and romantic drama. -Lately it’s getting closer to modern American pop. Most to all instruments from Vietnam are string instruments. -Plucking the instrument is the most common form of playing. -Other instruments are just variation of modern instrument like flutes and snare drums. Sample Piece

6. Food Influence by Chinese, French, Indian and Indonesian cuisines. Very healthy-Minimal usage of oil. -food is balanced between fatty food and greens One of the most popular dish is “phở” (Vietnamese noodle soup). Basic Ingredients -beef broth -lemon -beef, chicken or duck -rice noodles -onion -selection of herbs Ph ở Bowl

7. Food (Con’t) Bánh mì is a type of French bread, but it’s often a slang for a variety of Vietnamese sandwiches. Basic Ingredients -Baguette -Chili peppers(optional) -Cucumber -Variety of meat (often pork) -Pickled vegetables -Cilantro -Lard/Butter -Pâté

8. Food (Con’t) Cơm tấm (Broken Rice) is a rice dish that is served a sweet fish sauce and an assortment of toppings. Basic Ingredients -Rice -Fish sauce -Pickled Vegetables -Cucumber -Beef, Chicken or Pork (Sometimes Shrimp) -An Egg -Vietnamese Quiche This is my personal favorite.

9. Food (Con’t) There are more food I would enjoy showing you such as congee, chè (Vietnamese puddings), bánh bao (pork-bun) and more… I need to move on with it. I very much enjoy Vietnamese cuisine, and to enjoy you must explore it yourself in Vietnamese restaurants. My absolute most favourite thing Vietnamese has brought into the world is Vietnamese coffee. -Slow drip black coffee -Sweeten condensed milk

10. Clothing Traditional Clothing -Often worn by women, but also with men. -Called “áo dài” (long dress). School Uniform -Women still where this dress but only in white -There is alternative that is a white dress shirt and black dress pants.

11. Language Language change to a French style writing after a war with France. French is the second of Vietnam. Other common languages are Chinese or a dialect of an southeastern language. The most renounced place of writing is a poem called “Truyện Kiều” or “The Tale of Kiều”.

12. Language (Con’t) I’ve taken Vietnamese class for about 2 years (I didn’t enjoy it). I speak Vietnamese frequently at home. I find it much easier to understand then to speak. In Vietnam is much more difficult to hear someone who is from the north rather than the south, because there accent is much thick

13. Religion Demographic -29.6% are non-religious. -45.3% are based on regional belief. -16.4% Buddhism -8.2% Christian Most regional beliefs are just a variation on buddhism (i.e Taoism, Caodaism, etc…). 81% of Vietnam doesn’t have a religious stand point.

14. Religion (Con’t) I’m not religious myself although I still practice religious activities at home for my parents’ sakes. The religious community is very open to non-believers, like me. They practice religion of things like: -Luck -Health -Longevity -Strength -Forgiveness

15. Religion (Con’t) People who participate in religious practice are vegetarian with some off-days. Families would participate in these practices annually. Personally going vegetarian isn’t bad, the food is amazing and really healthy too. Temple would also serve vegetarian for a low cost a charity.

16. Celebrations Chinese New Years is a very popular holiday among southeast Asians. My family and others often do the following: -Clean/Re-clean the house -Give out red pockets -Replenish prayer stand with offerings -Invite people over to enjoy food and drinks I would say this is the equivalent to Thanksgiving or Christmas.

17. Celebrations (con’t) Other celebration are just generic Canadian/International holidays Christmas, Halloween, etc… Like previously stated families would go vegetarian annually for a religious purpose. (Optional and not to common.) We don’t do much in term of hosting parties, my dad and I are very introverted and prefer celebrating alone.

18. Landscape Vietnam contain some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Nha Trang is city famous for it’s beaches. -(Went here before). Hạ Long Bay is also well know for it’s limestone structure and wide waters. Hạ Long Bay

19. Landscape (Con’t) My personal experience with the landscape and environment were up and down. In the city the air is quite polluted and everything is general is quite dirty. -Pollution has all was been a problem. -It has be fix till recently. -It’s predicted to take 100 years minimum to fix the problems. Although there quite some good restaurants within the city.

20. Landscape (Con’t) The perks of the countryside overshadows the urban side. Here are some perks of being there: -Little to no air pollution -Great, cheap, local food -Beautiful scenery -Great hotel services -Commonly quiet Recommend visiting Nha Trang, Sa Pa and Hạ Long Bay for the best of what nature and tourism offers.

21. Conclusion In any realistic fashion I’m not very in tuned with my Vietnamese culture. I’ve been Canadian the majority of my life. …and it’s probably going to stay that way.