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You are here: Home / Learn / About Viet Nam / Culture

Culture

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. . . the Issacharites, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do . . . .   1 Chronicles 12:32 (HCSB)

Understanding the people, geography and especially the culture of the Vietnamese people is a critical component as we seek to effectively share the love of Jesus Christ.  In the short space here, it is not possible to give a completely thorough description of Vietnamese culture – but here are a few key aspects of the culture that we feel are particularly important.  You are also encouraged to view other resources as highlighted on this site or do some searches and find more information elsewhere.

1) Not Mono-Cultural
There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to reaching the peoples of Vietnam, but the message and need remains the same across all.  With significant populations of fifty-four distinct people groups physically residing within the country, some variations in culture, norms, customs and social interaction is assured.  There are also regional variations (north, south, central, coastal, delta) that can come into play as well as typical socio-economic differences.  One of the most prevalent influences on Vietnamese culture historically has been Chinese culture.

The website for the Vietnam Embassy in the U.S.A. addresses this mixed cultural aspect in this way:

It can be said that there were three layers of culture overlapping each other during the history of Vietnam: local culture, the culture that mixed with those of China and other countries in the region, and the culture that interacted with Western culture. The most prominent feature of the Vietnamese culture is that it was not assimilated by foreign cultures thanks to the strong local cultural foundations. On the contrary, it was able to utilize and localize those from abroad to enrich the national culture.

2) Confucian Culture
With the impact of Chinese culture comes hand in hand the impact of Confucianism on Vietnamese society.  Confucianism is a philosophy or set of behaviors and ethics that define the position of the individual in society.  The emphasis is on the ‘obligations’ of the individual toward others which is based upon the relationship between them.  On the positive side, Confucianism stresses duty, loyalty, honor, filial piety, respect for elders and seniority, integrity and sincerity.  From a negative aspect, Confucian culture can hinder love and compassion for others regardless of their station in life and promote only reciprocal relationships.  Exaggerated filial piety and an unwillingness to ‘step out of the norm’ can also provide a greater barrier for an individual to be their first in their family or network of relationships to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

vanmieuhanoi
The Van Mieu Confucian temple in Hanoi

3) Face, Family and Group
Similar to other Asian cultures, the concept of face – a mixture of reputation, prestige, responsibility and acting according to the norms appropriate to one’s place in society – is very important for understanding Vietnamese culture.  This type of responsibility also closely correlates with the focus on family and group in the culture.  Strong, close knit nuclear and extended families are common and making decisions based on the expectations of family and group is prevalent.

4) Effects of War, Tragedy, Struggle and Conflict
Many foreigners and likely all Americans will refer to it as “The Vietnam War”.  For the Vietnamese it is “The American War”.  Any visit to Vietnam today will bring many visual reminders of the war from the 60’s and 70’s.  Other less visual negative effects remain to be sure but by and large much of the population seems to have tried to put that major conflict behind them.  This is evidenced at least in part by the rapidly growing relationship between Vietnam and the U.S. – politically, economically and even militarily.  The American/Vietnamese War however is only one of many times of war, tragedy and conflict for this country.  In 1944-45, when the population of Vietnam was only around 20-25 million, close to 10% of the population – over 2 million people – died as a result of famine.  Foreign powers occupying Vietnam also include France, Japan and the Chinese who ruled over the country as one of their own provinces for 1,000 years.  More recently, the Chinese again attacked the country of Vietnam in 1979.  Internal conflict has also been common including civil war as well as the Vietnamese overthrow of the Cham peoples from the center part of the country, the Khmer peoples from the south and other military advances into Laos and Cambodia.  Even just the struggle for existence, especially within or along the mountainous central region, has left it’s mark on the collective culture of Vietnam.  Through all of these, a perseverance and pragmatism has emerged that is evident in the personality and attitude of most all Vietnamese.

4) Effects of Development and Modernization
The economic policy of “Doi Moi” or “Rennovation” was implemented by the government of Vietnam in 1986, ushering in a new era with a more open focus on a market economy.  Current day Vietnam continues on a rapid rise of economic growth as well as commercial and infrastructure development.  From the year 2000 to 2010, the basic economy tripled with Vietnam’s overall economy going from USD $27 billion to $79 billion and the GDP per person went from USD $351 to $902.  With this development and growth there is an accompanying shifting of values and much growth in excessive materialism.  A recent survey of Vietnamese between 15 and 64 found that 7 in 10 believe that success is defined by their job and do not view the ‘showing off’ of wealth as a negative.  Nearly 50% of respondents to the survey said that money was the most important thing in their life.

5) Culture of Youth
Over half of the current population of Vietnam is under the age of 35.  That is 45 million people who were born after reunification at the ending of the American-Vietnam War in 1975.  This young demographic has many implications.  Recent surveys shows this younger population to be characteristically optimistic which impacts the country as a whole.  This youthful demographic has not gone unnoticed by the commercial sector and drives much of the multinational corporate attention on Vietnam.  The youth of Vietnam are being heavily courted to develop brand loyalty (and the younger generation is in turn translating consumer awareness to their parents).  The younger demographic of Vietnam further brings a greater focus on health and fitness (physical, mental and relational); technology; education and entertainment.

 

 

 

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Tran buffs out wheel caps along a side street from Tran buffs out wheel caps along a side street from a busy intersection. His right leg is no more because of a childhood disease. He does not lose heart because he is wasting away because he has an inner peace that makes him stronger each day. Pray for Tran and other Vietnamese believers like him to put on the armor of God and hold steady for what troubles each new day of this new year brings. #pray4vietnam

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
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#newyear #newprojects #renew #church #churchplanting #scripture #LORD #God #Jesus #Bible #faith #goodnews #gospel #prayer #hope #missions #saved #believe #pray #vietnam
Is it a new resource or project that has come your Is it a new resource or project that has come your way? What seemed like a dry season, now hope for the new year and day is here. Make every opportunity to hang on to Jesus as you start. Pray for Vietnamese ready for the new year, to move on and find their hope in Jesus. Ask God to make a way in the wilderness for Vietnamese to find the Lord God Almighty. 

God calls on us to let go of things in our past, so we can cling to our new identity in Christ Jesus. #pray4vietnam

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19
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#newyear #newprojects #newthing #church #churchplanting #scripture #LORD #God #Jesus #Bible #faith #goodnews #gospel #prayer #hope #missions #saved #believe #pray #vietnam
Please pray for a meeting to be held this Monday, Please pray for a meeting to be held this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a handful of Believers from an area in the middle of the country where we were able to provide some emergency relief during the floods this past fall. 

Pray for safe travels and protection for all who will attend this meeting. 

Pray for strengthening of relationships and good assessment of the help given and remaining needs from the flooding. 

Pray for clear communication of Scripture as these Believers are trained with some basic tools and that they will be faithful to then take and pass on what they have learned to many small groups throughout a broader area. #immediateneed

“Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not cons "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness, I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him."" Lamentations 3:22-24

New buildings being built, as the year begins. This crisscross support beams will be the foundation of this building. During this past Christmas season, praise God, as new believers committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Pray for the foundation new believers have in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to build a strong support system of other believers, good opportunities to grow in discipleship, and a strong relationship with the Father. #pray4vietnam
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#newyear #newbelievers #foundation #church #churchplanting #scripture #LORD #God #Jesus #Bible #faith #goodnews #gospel #prayer #hope #missions #saved #believe #pray #vietnam
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! A new year, a Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! A new year, a new day, a new opportunity for 2021 to be exceedingly joyful as we look to the King of Kings---praise God. He is on His throne and our prayer for the new year is that He rules supremely in the lives of Vietnamese. #pray4vietnam

“God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.” Psalms 47:8
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#2021 #newyear #joy #church #churchplanting #scripture #LORD #God #Jesus #Bible #faith #goodnews #gospel #prayer #hope #missions #saved #believe #pray #vietnam
This year is only hours away from turning to 2021. This year is only hours away from turning to 2021. So much has happened this year in every part of the world that could bring sadness to us all. But join with us and truly praise God, as Vietnamese people heard testimonies, saw videos, and read about the One True God this year. What plans God has as the Holy Spirit moves in lives, we don’t know, but we trust and believe in Him. 

Darkness still pervades the city and often the lights we see are imitation, not the Everlasting Light of Jesus Christ. Pray for hearts who heard the Gospel this year and plead to God for His name to be made known even more in 2021.

Job 11:17-19 – “Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. You will be confident because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety. You will lie down without fear, and many will seek your favor.” #pray4vietnam
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#20202021 #newyearseve #blackandwhite #lightintodarkness #truelight #church #churchplanting #scripture #LORD #God #Jesus #Bible #faith #goodnews #gospel #prayer #hope #missions #saved #believe #pray #vietnam
Coils of incense burn high in the ceilings of the Coils of incense burn high in the ceilings of the temple. There’s a stain on the wood rafters from the incense smoke. Burning incense is the carrier of prayers, unfortunately the prayers did not get past the rafters. Vietnamese are spiritual and seeking hope in their prayers. As the end of the year approaches, would you ask the True God of all the earth to reveal Himself to the people of Vietnam? Would you ask the Holy Spirit to remove barriers that keep Vietnamese from knowing Him? Ask God to change lives forever these last days of 2020. #pray4vietnam

“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.” Colossians 1:13-14
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#rescued #heisourrescuer #lightintodarkness #truelight #redemption #church #churchplanting #scripture #LORD #God #Jesus #Bible #faith #goodnews #gospel #prayer #hope #missions #saved #believe #pray #vietnam
"Today in the town of David, a Savior has been bor "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11 

If you see this and can pause to pray, please ask God to move forward the plans for 2 believers to be baptized on December 26th. Pray that this will be a great testimony of their faith and strengthen them to continue to grow in following Christ. #immediateneed
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RSS Viet Nam News

  • DDconcept tops restaurant in vietnam with three-dimensional bamboo ceiling - Designboom
  • Vietnam records 5 new COVID-19 cases, 1,536 in total - Xinhua | English.news.cn - Xinhua
  • Siemens Gamesa bags 117-MW turbine order in Vietnam - Renewables Now
  • Fitch Revises Outlook on Vietnam's Military Bank to Stable; Affirms 'B+' - Fitch Ratings
  • Vietnam Cards and Payments Market Report- Growth Opportunities and Risks to 2024 | State Bank of Vietnam, Asia Commercial Bank - KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper
  • Vietnam Church helps flood victims return to normal life - Union of Catholic Asian News
  • Vietnam Table Mounted Water Purifiers Market to 2030 by Price Segment, Technology, Sales Channel, Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire
  • Vietnam's garment sector aims for US$39 billion export revenue in 2021 - Nhan Dan Online
  • Vietnam to export 1600 tonnes of rice at high price to Singapore and Malaysia - The Star Online
  • Sailun boosting Vietnam production to meet demand in Europe & North America - Tyrepress.com

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Pray for Tran and Vietnamese believers like him to put on the armor of God and hold steady for what troubles each new day of this new year brings. #pray4vietnam "Do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Cor 4:16-17 2 days ago

test Twitter Media - Pray for Tran and Vietnamese believers like him to put on the armor of God and hold steady for what troubles each new day of this new year brings. #pray4vietnam "Do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Cor 4:16-17 https://t.co/ucY2ZQfPJc

Pray for Vietnamese ready for the new year, to move on and find their hope in Jesus. Ask God to make a way in the wilderness for Vietnamese to find the Lord God Almighty. #pray4vietnam "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. " Isaiah 43:18 4 days ago

test Twitter Media - Pray for Vietnamese ready for the new year, to move on and find their hope in Jesus. Ask God to make a way in the wilderness for Vietnamese to find the Lord God Almighty. #pray4vietnam
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. " Isaiah 43:18 https://t.co/91Q0QVQro5

Pray this week for the O-du peoples of Vietnam and for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to be reached with the Gospel. bit.ly/3q5fbbv 5 days ago

Pray M-T-W next week for Believers from the middle of the country where flooding occurred last fall. Pray for safe travels and protection; for strengthening of relationships; for clear communication of Scripture and how to continue to help and God be glorified. #immediateneed 6 days ago

test Twitter Media - Pray M-T-W next week for Believers from the middle of the country where flooding occurred last fall. Pray for safe travels and protection; for strengthening of relationships; for clear communication of Scripture and how to continue to help and God be glorified. #immediateneed https://t.co/05u8OVm4Hv

Pray for the foundation new believers have in Christ, as Vietnamese make the decision to follow Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to build a strong support system of other believers, good opportunities to grow in discipleship, and a strong relationship with the Father. #pray4vietnam 1 week ago

test Twitter Media - Pray for the foundation new believers have in Christ, as Vietnamese make the decision to follow Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to build a strong support system of other believers, good opportunities to grow in discipleship, and a strong relationship with the Father. #pray4vietnam https://t.co/Kz9OqCbzCy
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