Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia that boasts a rich history and distinctive culture. Vietnam is currently on the rise stage, namely, the government pays great attention to healthcare and preserving the country's cultural characteristics, the infrastructure of cities is improving, and the tourism industry has reached its peak. All this and much more will be discussed in more detail in our article.
Vietnamese lifestyle
Traditionally, the culture and life of Vietnam is associated with agriculture, namely, rice. To a lesser extent, local residents are engaged in fishing, raising pigs and poultry.
Until the second half of the 19th century, all Vietnamese lived according to the rules of the rural community, the basis of which was composed of men over eighteen years old. The Vietnamese lived in groups connected by numerous kinship ties. At the head of the family was a man, the oldest in age, after whose death this privilege passed to the eldest son.
At the heart of the marriage system among the Vietnamese was a ransom for his wife, which was often replaced by working off. Currently, the government is actively trying to abolish this custom.
Vietnamese houses are built mainly from wood, wicker bamboo and clay with straw. Around the dwelling are built various outbuildings, such as a chicken coop, stable and others. Furniture in such a hut is usually also carved from wood and represents the most necessary interior items, for example, a chest, a bed and a hammock. Houseware created from improvised materials - these are chopsticks carved from bamboo, bowls made from coconut shells, woven jugs and much more.
Vietnamese clothing is a loose jacket with pockets and wide pants. The festive clothing of the local population is a dress with a standing collar and a right-hand smell, under which straight pants are worn.
The main types of crafts
In the culture of Vietnam, the first mention of which is rooted in antiquity, about a hundred crafts are known. Particular attention is paid to blacksmithing and pottery, weaving, wood carving, weaving, embroidery and jewelry manufacturing.
Vietnamese silverware, caskets, lacquer paintings, bamboo wickerwork are known throughout the world, including not only household items, but also junks' sails.
During archaeological excavations, ceramic and pottery, weapons and sawn-off silk fabric were found, which were distinguished by their artistic craftsmanship and high taste.
National cuisine
The national cuisine of Vietnam is diverse, based on vegetable dishes, cereals (mainly rice), fish, soy milk and a variety of sauces and spices.
The Vietnamese meal is as follows: in the center of an impromptu table is a large dish with rice and vegetable soup, fish and a variety of sauces and seasonings. The whole family gathers, and each participant is given a bowl and chopsticks.
The main drink among the local population is green tea. Although nowadays, coffee is gaining more and more popularity. His Vietnamese cook very strong and sweet, and at the very end, before serving, add ice to it.
Vietnam: Religion and Culture
Among the religious movements popular in Vietnam, the cult of ancestors is widespread, as well as a mix of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
The Vietnamese believe that their ancestors guard their home after their death. Therefore, almost everywhere the eye of a tourist stumbles upon the ancestral altar, which is a miniature table with a censer located on it with lighted incense sticks, fruits and flowers.
Holidays
The culture and traditions of Vietnam, with festivals occupying a special place, go back centuries. Among the most revered holiday events among the local population are Tet (Vietnamese New Year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which usually falls in September.
Tet is associated with the beginning of spring among the Vietnamese, therefore, various flowers and trees are planted throughout the territory. Also, women bake traditional pies and sew outfits for the whole family. On the day of the holiday, all family members seek to get together. At midnight, bells begin to beat, fireworks and firecrackers explode, and incense sticks are lit in houses.
During these holidays, a competitive program for adults is organized and carousels and swings for children are being constructed. For two days, the entire population of Vietnam has fun, participating in competitions in archery, wrestling, throwing the ball, horse racing, running on stilts and launching a snake. The third day of the festival is characterized by the custom introduced by Ho Chi Minh in the second half of the 20th century. On this day, the Vietnamese are planting trees, decorating their native land.
The second widely known holiday event is the Mid-Autumn Festival. In honor of this day, children make paper and clay figures of fish, dragons, crabs and many lanterns that decorate houses and streets. The day of celebration is characterized by festive processions to the beat of the drums.
Sculpture and architecture
The main materials of the Vietnamese sculptors were bronze and wood. At the beginning of our era, sculptures of Vietnamese masters were amazing with their artistic taste and high technical data. It is worth noting the fact that to give strength to wooden sculptures, the Vietnamese in several layers varnished them.
The craftsmanship of the Vietnamese sculptors reached its peak from the 11th to the 17th centuries, when the capital of the ancient state (modern Hanoi) was built up. At this time, a huge palace complex and many pagodas were built. Some of the sculptures of that time have survived to the present day. All of them entered the world piggy bank of art. These are carved columns with dragons, stone statues of dancers, lotuses, sculptures of elephants, heads of deities and others.
It is worth noting the fact that the main feature of the culture of Vietnam, unlike its Asian neighbors, is the lack of rich decoration and the miniature structure of temple complexes and pagodas.
Vietnam is famous for its abundance of temples and pagodas, so it is quite difficult to identify the most interesting. For example, the temple of Thay Phuong, which is located near the capital and is obscured by tourist eyes from tropical vegetation. The temple is built of wood, three hundred eighty steps lead to it. The interior of the temple consists of fancy wooden carved dragons, various plants and Buddha statues.
Pagoda on one pillar, which was built in the XI century, is especially popular among the local population. It is located in the central district of the capital. As conceived by architects of that time, the pagoda stands on one stone column, which abuts against the bottom of the lake. Inside the structure is a wooden statue of the revered goddess of mercy, Kuan Am.
Painting and Graphics
The artistic culture of Vietnam is of great value as a world heritage. Wall paintings in temples and pagodas, illustrations to folk tales, poems and legends deserve special attention. Also famous are the paintings from the everyday life of peasants, who often had a satirical or humorous subtext. It is worth noting the many images of temples and ritual rites of the local population. Also worthy of special mention are paintings of ancient battles and images that appeal to residents for patriotism.
Folk epic
The culture of Vietnam is famous for the works of folklore, which include various tales, ballads, myths and legends. Chroniclers brought these items of folk art into the chronicles.
Starting from the XIV century, Vietnamese poets collected all the works of folklore in volumes. Special mention should be made of the poet Nguyen Dong Ti, who has done a great job of creating a multi-volume edition of folk art.
Literature
The first collection of Vietnamese poems that has survived to our time belongs to the pen Nguyen Chaya, who lived in the XIV-XV centuries. ad. This man glorified himself not only as a poet, but also as a great military and political figure.
Masterpieces of classical literature appeared at the beginning of the XVIII century. These include the works of the poet Nguyen Zu. Later, culture in Vietnam went through the stage of Latinization of writing. Following this, a collection of Ho Chi Minh was released. Huge distribution in the XX century were novels and novels on the topic of the life of the common people.
Further in the history of Vietnam, a war began against the French invaders. Therefore, poems about the heroism and patriotism of Vietnamese soldiers, as well as satirical works in which the enemy was ridiculed, gained popularity.
In the second half of the 20th century, the Union of Writers was created at the initiative of the state. Thanks to this, many masterpieces of world literature were translated into Vietnamese. Publishing houses that publish local newspapers and magazines also begin operations.
music and dancing
The musical and dance culture of Vietnam has its roots in ancient times. It represents the labor, choleric and satirical songs of the working people. The most common musical instruments were a five-stringed and three-stringed guitar, a drum, a two-stringed violin, a gong, castanets and a flute. The whole local population due to the peculiarities of the culture of Vietnam is very musical.
