Viet Nam - People and Society
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A lesson in a village school in Viet Nam |
Most Vietnamese people have great love and respect for their families
and their country. The oldest son of a family lives with his parents
when he grows up and marries, looking after them in their old age.
Most homes have a small altar, where the family honours its ancestors.
People also respect the nation and its traditions. They love learning
and you often see shopkeepers or tricycle-taxi drivers relaxing
in the shade with a book when business is slow. Most people's beliefs
are influenced by the teachings of Buddha and the Chinese philosopher
Confucius.
Buddha taught that people can only find peace and wisdom when they
learn to control their feelings and desires. Buddhists believe in
reincarnation, or re-birth. Confucius taught that people should
put the needs of their community above their own needs, and that
they should respect those who were above them in society.
Sport and Leisure
Though children have to work hard, both in school and at home,
they do find time to play. Volleyball and football are popular.
Festivals give everyone the opportunity to have a good time. People
spend days preparing for the new year festival of Tet. Homes are
decorated with peach blossom to scare off evil spirits, and at midnight
everyone lets off giant firecrackers to welcome the new year.
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Lighting the cooking fire for the evening
meal |
Food and drink
Rice is the most important food in Viet Nam, but noodles, fish,
and vegetables are also popular. Meat is expensive, but fish and
vegetables are widely available. A typical evening meal would be
eaten in the home, and consist of fish and vegetable dishes, a dipping
sauce made of soy and fish, and bowls of rice, followed by tiny
cups of green tea, without milk.
Introduction
|| History ||
Geography & Environment
People & Society
|| Factfile || Oxfam
in Viet Nam
Photos: Jim Holmes/Oxfam
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