As historians, we invite our readers to join us on a journey to explore the most distinctive cultural features that have become deeply embedded in the consciousness of every Vietnamese person.

1. Family and Community: The Foundation of Vietnamese Society

If Vietnamese culture were a great tree, then family and community would be its strong roots that nourish its growth.

Family Culture

Vietnamese people highly value multi-generational families where several generations live together under one roof. The relationship of "respecting elders and yielding to juniors" is considered the golden standard. Children have the duty to be filial to their parents and grandparents; younger people must respect their elders. The ancestral altar in every home is not just a spiritual space but also a symbol of unity, reminding descendants of their origins.

Community Spirit

The saying "Helping each other in times of darkness" perfectly captures the bond of traditional Vietnamese community life. In Vietnam, villages and communities are not merely administrative units but "extended families" where people share joys and sorrows, and support each other in work and life. This community spirit is vividly expressed through festivals and collective work such as dike building and road construction.

2. Major Life Rituals in Vietnamese Life

The life cycle of a Vietnamese person is marked by solemn rituals with profound spiritual and social significance.

Wedding Ceremony (Marriage)

The traditional Vietnamese wedding is a series of complex rituals, not merely the union of two individuals but an alliance between two families. From the initial proposal, betrothal to the wedding ceremony (when the bride joins her husband's family), each ritual contains wishes for happiness, harmony, and the desire to have children to continue the family line.

Funeral Rites

Considered the most important ritual, it expresses the final filial piety of descendants to the deceased. Vietnamese funeral rites are conducted with great solemnity, following strict procedures from the preparation of the body to burial and subsequent memorial services (such as the seventh week, hundred days, and anniversary ceremonies). This is not only an act of sending loved ones to the afterlife but also a way for the living to show respect and remembrance.

Ancestor Worship

This is the fundamental, widespread, and profound belief in Vietnamese spiritual life. People believe that ancestral spirits remain nearby, protecting and blessing their descendants. Therefore, on the 15th day of each lunar month, the first day of each lunar month, during Tet (Lunar New Year), or on important occasions, families perform worship ceremonies on the ancestral altar to show their reverence.

3. Festival Culture: The Soul of the Community

Festivals are where folk culture is most vividly and brilliantly expressed.

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)

This is the largest, most important, and most anticipated festival of the year. Tet is a time for family reunions, visiting relatives, honoring ancestors, and wishing for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Customs such as cleaning the house, making Chung cakes and Day cakes, worshipping the Kitchen Gods, New Year greetings, giving lucky money, and first-footing have created a unique Tet atmosphere that cannot be replicated.

Other Festivals

Besides Tet, Vietnam has countless other festivals rich in local and historical character, such as the Perfume Pagoda Festival (Hanoi), the Hung Kings Commemoration Festival (Phu Tho), the Kate Festival of the Cham people, and the Ok Om Bok Festival of the Khmer people. Each festival tells a story of history, national heroes, and people's aspirations toward nature and deities.

4. Social Etiquette in Daily Life

Though seemingly small, these behavioral rules vividly reflect the sophistication and hospitality of Vietnamese people.

Greetings

Greeting others shows respect. When meeting elders, younger people must bow or greet first.

Dining Etiquette

Elders are usually invited to eat first. When dining, Vietnamese people use chopsticks and often share dishes placed in the center of the table, demonstrating sharing and closeness.

Visiting Homes

When visiting, guests usually bring small gifts such as tea, cakes, or fruits to show respect. Hosts warmly offer guests water, tea, and fruits.

This article has only outlined the most distinctive cultural features. Each region and ethnic group across the S-shaped land of Vietnam has its own unique and fascinating customs. We hope that through this introduction, our readers will gain fresh perspectives and develop a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese cultural identity. Let us continue to explore and preserve this precious heritage for future generations.