VIETNAM

MAP OF VIETNAM

FLAG OF VIETNAM

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF
VIETNAM

VIETNAM- FACTS AND STATISTICS

Location:Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South
China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia

Capital:Hanoi

Climate:tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to midSeptember) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March)

Population:82,689,518 (July 2004 est.)

Ethnic Make-up:Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, various

mountain groups

Religions:Buddhist, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai,Christian(predominantly Roman Catholic, some

Protestant), indigenous beliefs and Muslim

THE LANGUAGE

Vietnamese, Vietnam's official language, is a tonal language that can be

compared to Cambodia's official language, Khmer. With each syllable, there
are six different tones that can be used, which change the definition and it
often makes it difficult for foreigners to pick up the language.

There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and
other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions.
Although there are some similarities to Southeast Asian languages, such as
Chinese, Vietnamese is thought to be a separate language group, although a
member of the Austro-Asiatic language family.

In written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet and accent marks to
show tones. This system of writing called quoc ngu, was created by Catholic
missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this
system, particularly after World War I, replaced one using Chinese characters
(chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries.
Vietnamese Culture & Society

THE MEANING OF SOME PATTERNS OF

VIETNAMESE NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal Patterns

Meaning in Vietnamese
Culture

Nodding

Greeting; affirmative reply;

agreement.

Shaking one's head

Negative reply; disagreement.

Bowing

Greeting; great respect.

Touching child's head

Not appreciated, but not

offensive.

Avoiding eye contact.

Showing respect to people senior in age or

status or of the opposite sex.

Winking.

Not decent, especially when directed at people

of the opposite sex.

Frowning

Showing frustration. anger. or worry.

Pouting.

Disdain.

Smiling.

Agreement; embarrassment; disbelief; mild

disagreement; appreciation; apology.

Shaking hands.

Friendly greeting between men (but not the

elderly); not customary between women or
between a man and a woman; acceptable
between a Vietnamese woman and nonVietnamese man.

Palm of right hand out, fingers moving up and

down several times.

"Come here." Not used to people

senior in age or status.

Middle finger crossing over forefinger or

forefinger crossing over middle finger with the Obscene gesture.
other fingers closed over the palm.
Middle finger pointing, other fingers closed.

No meaning.

Thumb down, other fingers closed.

No meaning.

Thumb upright, other fingers closed.

No meaning.

Forefinger and top of thumb meet to form

circle, other fingers upright.

"Zero." Poor quality.

Palm of right hand facing oneself, forefinger

crooked and moving back and forth.

Offensive to adults; threatening to

children.

Holding hands with or putting an arm over the

shoulder of a person of the same sex.

Friendly gesture, no sexual

connotation

Holding hands with or putting an arm over the

shoulder of a person of the opposite sex.

Not usually done in public.

Crossing arms.

Sign of respect.

Placing one or both hands in

the pockets or on the hips
while talking.

Arrogance, lack of respect.

Patting a person's back,

especially those senior in age
or status.

Disrespect.

Pointing to other people while

Disrespect, threatening.
talking.
Whistling at performers.

Displeasure.

Putting one's feet on a table or

Rude.
sitting on a desk while talking.

CONFUCIANISM

The teachings of Confucius influence the Vietnamese describe the

position of the individual in Vietnamese society.
Confucianism is a system of behaviours and ethics that stress the
obligations of people towards one another based upon their
relationship.
The basic tenets are based upon five different relationships:
.Ruler and subject
.Husband and wife
.Parents and children
.Brothers and sisters
.Friend and friend
Confucianism stresses duty, loyalty, honour, filial piety, respect for
age and seniority, and sincerity.
Confucianism stresses duty, loyalty, honour, filial piety, respect for
age and seniority, and sincerity.

THE FAMILY

Vietnamese life revolves around the family.

The Vietnamese family consists of the nuclear as well as the
extended family.
It is not uncommon for three generations to be living together
under one roof.
In Confucian tradition, the father is the head of the family and it
is his responsibility to provide food, clothing and shelter and
make important decisions.
Within the same tradition it is believed that after someone dies
their spirit lives on. Descendents will "worship" their ancestors to
ensure their good favour. On the anniversary of a person's death,
ceremonies are held in their memory. They are also remembered
during certain lunar festivals and souls are consulted prior to
important decisions or occasions such as a birth or a wedding.

FACE

As with many other Asian nations, the concept of face is extremely important
to the Vietnamese.

Face is a tricky concept to explain but can be roughly described a quality that
reflects a person's reputation, dignity, and prestige.

It is possible to lose face, save face or give face to another person.

Companies as well as individuals can have face or lose face.

For foreigners it is important to be aware that you may unintentionally cause

a loss of face so it is important to be aware of your words and actions.
Understanding how face is lost, saved or given is critical.

Someone can be given face by complimenting them for their hospitality or

business acumen. Accusing someone of poor performance or reprimanding
them publicly will lead to a loss of face.

COLLECTIVISM

In general, the Vietnamese are a collectivists.

The individual is seen as secondary to the group whether the family, school or company.
As a result there are strict guidelines for social
interaction that are designed to protect a group's
face

HIERARCHY

As with most group-orientated societies there are also

hierarchical structures.
In Vietnam these are very much based upon age and status.
This derives from Confucianism, which emphasizes social
order. Everyone is seen as having a distinct place and role
within the hierarchical structure, be it the family or
workplace.
An obvious example is seen in social situations where the
oldest person in a group is greeted or served first.
Within the family the head would be responsible for making
decisions and approving marriages.

HEALTH BELIEFS AND HEALING

PRACTICES

The causes of illness are

understood through three
different, although overlapping,
models. Illness can come from
spiritual causes, imbalance of
Am and Duong (similar to the
yin and yang in other Asian
cultures), and western concepts
of disease (i.e. germ theory).
These beliefs are the foundation
for the traditional healing
practices and views of Western
medicine described below.

CONT

Vietnamese hold great respect for people with

education, especially doctors. Doctors are
considered experts on health issues and are
expected to diagnose and treat all conditions in one
visit with little examination or invasive laboratory
or diagnostic tests. In addition, blood drawing for
laboratory tests is feared and even resisted by
Vietnamese, who believe that blood loss will
exacerbate their illness and that their body cannot
replace what is lost. Surgery is feared for this
reason and is used only as a last resort.

CONT

Vietnamese often will combine traditional healing techniques with

Western medicine.They view American health care as a way to relieve
symptoms and expect to be prescribed something to cure their illness
immediately. Individuals will frequently discontinue medicines after
their symptoms disappear because they feel that if they dont
experience any symptoms, there is no illness. They also might readjust
their dosage to what they consider to be correct, since they believe that
Western pharmaceuticals are developed for Americans and Europeans
and that dosages are too strong for their cultures body build. It is quite
common for Vietnamese patients to save large quantities of half-used
prescription drugs. Since they believe Western medicines, especially
oral medications, throw the body out of balance, traditional alternatives
like a balm may better meet the patients needs.Because of these
beliefs, it is important to help the patientunderstandthe value and
proper use ofpreventive, long-term medications.

TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES OF
HEALING INCLUDE:

Coining - A coin
dipped in
mentholated oil is
vigorously rubbed
across the skin in a
prescribed manner,
causing a mild
dermabrasion. This
practice is believed
to restore balance.

CONT...

Cupping - A series of small, heated glasses are placed on the skin,

forming a suction that leaves a red circular mark, drawing out the bad
force.
Pinching - The skin is pinched to form a dermabrasion, which allows the
causative force to leave the body.
Steaming - A mixture of medicinal herbs is boiled, the steam is inhaled,
and the body bathed.
Balm - Various medicated oils or balms are rubbed over the skin.
Acupuncture - Specialized practitioners insert thin steel needles into
specific locations known as vital-energy points. Each of these points has
specific therapeutic effects on the corresponding organs.
Acupressure or Massage - Fingers are pressed at the acupuncture points
and, together with massage, stimulate these points to maximize their
therapeutic effects.
Herbs - Various medicinal herbs are boiled in water in specific
proportions or mixed with wine and consumed to restore balance.
Patent Medicines - Powdered medicines are mixed or boiled with water

END