Culture And Customs Of Vietnam

Vietnam is increasingly opening up to the West, and society is in flux between tradition and modernity, and capitalism and socialism. Americans have distanced themselves from the Vietnam War now, and Culture and Customs of Vietnam fills a need to learn about the country, which has also evolved. Readers will find that this is the only general book on Vietnamese culture in English written by specialists. McLeod and Nguyen, historians specializing in Vietnam engagingly show the various forces of Vietnamese culture in narrative chapters on the land, people, and language; history and institutions; thought and religion; literature; art and architecture; cuisine; family, marriage, gender, and youth culture; festivals and leisure activities, and performing arts. Culture and Customs of Vietnam is a comprehensive, one-stop source, providing the most useful and intriguing information for students and general readers. Some of the highlights include the discussion of the Chinese influence in writing, thought, and religion; eating habits; the changing family; and water puppetry. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos complement the text.

A concise, information-packed background of the history and culture of Vietnam, including the country's relations with the United States. Comprehensive and authoritative, this book accurately describes this fascinating country. The author begins with a description of the geographical features of the country and the various tribes and people that inhabit it, then reviews the various religions, the educational system, and customs that have played and continue to play determinative roles in the lives of the Vietnamese. The French colonial period and its influence on the religion and educational system of the country are covered as well as such fascinating sidelights as eating habits, society, and hair styles. A separate chapter covers arts of this part of Asia. These include the theater as well as painting, architecture, sculpture, music, and literature. Some Vietnamese legends are retold in the final chapter. Visitors to this country will be especially interested in the sections on language, customs, festivals, holidays, and recreation, not to mention places to visit. Miss Hau Dinh Cam, a Vietnamese artist, has given added life to many pages with her drawings of the people in scenes of daily life.

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Vietnam is one of the most fascinating destinations in Southeast Asia. Having emerged from two decades of war, it has undergone a period of rapid and far-reaching change, and its people have their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. Culture Smart! Vietnam is for those who want to learn about the traditional values, sensibility, and modern way of life of the Vietnamese. It explains deep-seated attitudes and describes some of the social, economic, and cultural changes now under way. Aimed at dispelling common misconceptions, it gives practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in unfamiliar situations in order to help you discover for yourself the warmth and humor of this tough, resilient people. Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

This interesting book examines the holidays and traditions in Vietnam, which include colorful festivals that celebrate meaningful lunar calendar days and unique family traditions. Readers will be introduced to the traditional foods, clothing, and other practices used to celebrate holidays in Vietnam.

This is a study of the history and consequences of the revolutionary campaign to transform culture and ritual in northern Vietnam. Based on official documents and several years of field research, it provides a detailed account of the nature of revolutionary cultural reform in Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of the most fascinating destinations in Southeast Asia. Having emerged from two decades of war, it is has undergone a period of rapid and far-reaching change. Culture Smart! Vietnam is for those who want to learn about the traditional values, sensibility, and modern life of the Vietnamese. It explains deep-seated attitudes and describes some of the social, economic, and cultural changes now under way.

Sources of Vietnamese Tradition provides an essential guide to two thousand years of Vietnamese history and a comprehensive overview of the society and state of Vietnam. Strategic selections illuminate key figures, issues, and events while building a thematic portrait of the country's developing territory, politics, culture, and relations with neighbors. The volume showcases Vietnam's remarkable independence in the face of Chinese and other external pressures and respects the complexity of the Vietnamese experience both past and present. The anthology begins with selections that cover more than a millennium of Chinese dominance over Vietnam (111 B.C.E.–939 C.E.) and follows with texts that illuminate four centuries of independence ensured by the Ly, Tran, and Ho dynasties (1009–1407). The earlier cultivation of Buddhism and Southeast Asian political practices by the monarchy gave way to two centuries of Confucian influence and bureaucratic governance (1407–1600), based on Chinese models, and three centuries of political competition between the north and the south, resolving in the latter's favor (1600–1885). Concluding with the colonial era and the modern age, the volume recounts the ravages of war and the creation of a united, independent Vietnam in 1975. Each chapter features readings that reveal the views, customs, outside influences on, and religious and philosophical beliefs of a rapidly changing people and culture. Descriptions of land, society, economy, and governance underscore the role of the past in the formation of contemporary Vietnam and its relationships with neighboring countries and the West.