Vietnam is a country with extremes in culture, a scene set by thousands of years of history, to some degrees native traditions, Chinese, French, and the influence of other Southeast Asian cultures. Here are some aspects of Vietnamese culture that might just "blow your mind":
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| Festival IN Vietnam |
1. Festivals: Vietnam is famous for its colorful festivals, with Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet, the New Year according to the Lunar Calendar, the most prominent. This festival marks the coming of spring, family reunions, and reverence for ancestors. Other important festivities that are celebrated include the Mid-Autumn Festival, centered around a harvest for children, and Hung King Temple Festival which honors the mythical founders of the country.
2. Food: Vietnamese cuisine is internationally acclaimed for its flavor and freshness. Dishes such as Pho (noodle soup), Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich), and Goi Cuon (spring rolls) are effectively the core of Vietnamese meals and have also gained international fame. Cuisine varies until something like usual herb consumption, use of fresh vegetables, and balance of tastes which include saltiness, sweetness, sourness, and heat really serve one's dining.
3. Ao Dai: The Ao Dai is praised as the typical Vietnamese dress that represents the cultural identity of the Vietnamese. The gown is for women and men worn for special occasions and is usually found during Tet and at weddings - it is simply a long tunic that fits the body close to the front and back and has side slits, quite wide-legged pants.
4. Water puppetry: A unique art which was born in the Red River Delta, water puppetry is the only cultural heritage that must be given to this art - a traditional performance taking place in a waist-deep pool. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and use long bamboo rods and string mechanisms hidden under the water's surface to control the puppets. The performances often depict the vignette of agrarian life and episodes of national history.
5. Literature and Poetry: Vietnam is remarkable for a rich literary tradition that spans centuries-a tradition which places extreme emphasis on poetry as an art. Several famous poets like Nguyen Du with his epic poem "The Tale of Kieu" are regarded as the masterpieces of their time in Vietnamese literature.
6. Architecture: For centuries, Vietnam's architectural styles have drawn on trends from across the globe, but they have also distinctly reflected its native stylistics. The Ancient City of Hue boasts the Imperial City, a grand complex of temples, palaces, walls, and gates. French colonial buildings lining the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City make for great sights, while traditional Vietnamese architecture can admire itself in the ancient homes of Hoi An.
7. Music and Dance: Traditional music and dance remain vital aspects of the culture in Vietnamese history. To create hauntingly beautiful music, players use instruments such as the dan bau (monochord) and the dan tranh (zither), while farmer dances, lion dances, and fan dances are staged at time of festivals and celebrations.
8. Martial Arts: Vietnam boasts its own traditions of martial arts. Vovinam martial arts specialize in hand-to-hand combat, use of weapons and teachings in traditional philosophy. This martial art is not solely a system of self-defence; it is additionally a form of discipline for wise and moral behavior.
9. Religious Diversity: Vietnam unfolds both Buddhism and Taoism and Confucianism, having Christianity and several indigenous religions existing amongst different tribes. The most interesting feature is the Cao Dai religion, which combines aspects of these several religious traditions and has built its very own colorful temple, the Cao Dai Holy See, in Tay Ninh.
10. Craft Villages: The country is famous for buy craft villages dealing in various trades such as pottery, silk weaving, lacquerware, and conical hat making. These villages not only preserve traditional crafts but also provide glimpses into a rural lifestyle.
