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The cultural life of Vietnam was strongly influenced by that of China until French domination in the 19th century. At that time the traditional culture began to acquire an overlay of Western characteristics. The postwar government expressed its desire to rid Vietnamese life of Western influences. The traditional Vietnamese culture is very similar to Chinese. It places strong value on family, raising the young and taking care of elders are considered as their natural responsibility. It is very common to see many generations live under one roof. It is also true that Vietnamese regard homes as their security, therefore, owning a home is their primary goal.
Traditions
A'o dài is always considered a symbol of traditional Vietnam. A foreign tourist who lands in Vietnam has the opportunity to see a woman dressed in her ao dai. It is about a close-fitting long tunic in light fabric, open on the sides from the waist down, worn over a large pants. It will be surely of speechless admiration facing this incarnate elegance. It is not the cloth that provokes this admiration but rather the relation between the woman, her dress and her culture. However the a'o da`i has only a short history. It just dated from 18th century. Impressed by the elegance of the Manchurian costumes under the reign of the Qing, a Vietnamese lord of the name Nguye^~n Vo~ Vuong established the wearing of a Vietnamese national dress inspired by the Chinese model. It should wait one century before this dress is adopted in the popular strata of the Vietnamese society, in particular during the reign of emperor Minh Ma.ng. This dress becomes nowadays the national symbol with more and more varied models in colors as well as in decorative patterns. Most Vietnamese wear it.
THE CULT OF ANCESTORS
In Vietnam, filial piety is one of the fundamental notions in the Vietnamese family which is ruled by the cult of ancestors. The latter provide good advice and only help living descendant if they are respected and honored in particular if their tombs are well maintained.
In most of Vietnamese homes one finds on the little family altar wooden tablets, each for an deceased ancestor, down to the fifth generation. One finds on each tablet the inscription of the name of the deceased and also the possessed titles acquired during his active live. Generally speaking, these inscriptions were written in Chinese characters.
In each Vietnamese family, it is the eldest son who is in charge of maintaining the family altar. It is possible that the oldest person in the eldest branch of the family has this responsibility when it comes to a "big family". No importance concerning sex is imposed on the responsible person. A daughter may assume this responsibility as well as a man.
The cult of ancestors is especially put in honor at the festival of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. One takes this occasion to offer to the deceased not only a meal but also incense and fake money bills that will be burned during Tê't.
TEETH LACQUERING
It is also possible to meet in the countryside of Vietnam especially in the North, women with jovial smile and teeth stained in black. This technique of blackening of teeth or "teeth lacquering" is an ancient custom widespread in Asia (Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines etc...). In Vietnam, this custom dated back to the 2nd millennium B.C.. It concerns most North and Central Vietnamese who by nature are more traditional than South Vietnamese and certain minorities in mountain regions.
The principle of teeth lacquering remains identical and composed of two phases: teeth scouring and varnishing. But the methods used, mainly the colors and the products are specific and characteristic of each people. In Vietnam, the maintenance of lacquer is essential every 2 or 3 years.
In Vietnam, besides it aesthetic qualities, teeth lacquering is also used for prophylactic purposes against tooth decay. This custom is lesser and lesser followed in Vietnam because people know that the products they used are toxic and that teeth blackening is irreversible, which discourages young people.
THE CONICAL HAT
No'n Ba`i Tho*
Like the tunic, the conical hat (or no'n ba`i tho*) is also the symbol of traditional Vietnam. Contrary to the A'o Da`i, the conical hat is used for a practical purpose. It is an efficient way of protection against the sun and the rain. Without this hat, you are going to be completely exhausted if you have the occasion to spend a day in the Mekong delta under the overwhelming sun. If this hat cannot bring any grace and charm such as the case of the tunic, it represents nevertheless for the majority of Vietnamese the simplicity and the habitual practicality. It is lightweight and plaited with palm leaves. It is much used only in Huê' and the countryside.
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Legends: Tradition:
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