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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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A typical room for rent along a street with each d A typical room for rent along a street with each door representing a cheap living space. There are certainly costly houses and apartments in various locations throughout Ho Chi Minh City, but for the majority of the population, the cost is minimal in Western comparison.

Jesus was never so eager to keep a crowd when He was teaching that He minimized the cost of faith, from John chapter 6. He could not have been clearer that following Him requires enormous sacrifice.

"Whoever does not carry their cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." Matthew 16:24

Jesus tells us we are to take up our cross and follow Him daily. Not every few years, months, or weeks, but He tells us to daily follow Him in sacrifice and obedience.

Is that a suggestion or should our lives show the cost daily?

Vietnamese struggle with the same in their lives as the world around them grows in economics and material gain. Pray for God's truth to pierce hearts to be faithful. #pray4vietnam
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#faith #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
How to get the word out? Advertisement signs for p How to get the word out? Advertisement signs for places to rent abound on the side of this coffee shop.

If you had an important message, wouldn't you want to share that with those you love? We would call or text or instant message someone with news that was important or life-changing.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalms 119:105

How many times this year have you offered a Bible to someone? Are they just so common? Or do we fail to think that everyone has a copy so readily available?

Believers understand that a better translation of the Bible makes for better understanding. Pray for a Bible project to get a good translation available to many Vietnamese, as many steps are involved. Pray for God to provide His light to many. #pray4vietnam
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#faith #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Traffic moves alongside markets and sometimes even Traffic moves alongside markets and sometimes even through a market to stop, buy and go---comfortable routines in the city in daily urban life.

Does your faith inspire you to live beyond your comfort zone?
Tasks you can accomplish without help or great effort; places and people you feel totally secure with; responsibilities that make you look good; a time or place where everyone is happy with you---these are examples of comfort zones.

"Faith motivated Abraham to obey God's call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So, he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith." Hebrews 11:8

Instead of charting our course by faith, we'd rather use our human experience, wisdom, and effort to control our lives in order to protect us from failure, discomfort, or looking bad. No faith or very little faith.

It's hard to live by faith, but so worth the journey, like Abraham took.

Pray for Believers ready to journey on faith. Pray for God to be pleased in their faithfulness. #pray4vietnam
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#faith #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Down a quiet alley, the morning starts sitting and Down a quiet alley, the morning starts sitting and enjoying a pot of tea under the shade of palm leaves and an added umbrella. It's the slow life in District Binh Chanh, one of the outer western districts of the city.

Faith is more often that firm confidence that results in action. Noah prepared an ark, Moses left Egypt behind, and David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine.

Instead of sitting back, believers should count on God's promises and act accordingly, as the men and women listed in Hebrews 11. The Lord accomplished amazing feats through their lives when they believed Him and moved out in obedience. Faith grows the more we put it into action.

The apostle Paul wrote a message to a co-worker, Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." Colossians 4:17. If the Holy Spirit has pricked your heart, do what He has asked of you.

Pray for Believers to strengthen their trust in God and His promises, and to act on faith when they see a command or warning in Scripture. Vietnamese are being trained to share the Gospel; pray for obedience to their calling. #pray4vietnam
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#faith #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Walking street from the lotus fountain to the city Walking street from the lotus fountain to the city hall of Ho Chi Minh City, built in the early 1900s originally as the Hotel de Ville---a change from what was originally built to something different.

Change happens and we often hear that people do not like change, it may not be entirely true. While many people enjoy routines and familiarity, they also welcome new things. It's not that we don't like change, we just don't want to change. This is because it can be hard, uncomfortable, humbling, or painfully difficult.

But as Believers, we must remember that change is really at the heart of following God. When we believe the Gospel, we accept the truth that we need to change. We are broken people whom God is making new through Christ.

We can also fall into dangerous complacency as Believers. Content to simply have that identity as a follower of Jesus and fail to rigorously pursue Christ-likeness. Are you working to see what changes are in your life that need to be made? Are you ready for change?

"for we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

"Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

Pray for Vietnamese who need to make changes in their lives to follow Jesus. Believers are making a list of their friends and families to hear the Good News; pray for many to be willing to be changed. #pray4vietnam
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#faith #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Just days earlier, Vietnam celebrated what is thei Just days earlier, Vietnam celebrated what is their Independence Day with hot air balloons raising the flag of Vietnam. It's an ‘off-work' holiday and everyone enjoys time with family and friends.

"Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

When we don't have faith to take that step of the unknown---because faith is not seeing---we are living in slavery, and that has to do with fear. There is no fear in God. It is exciting when we are fully in submission to God and living in faith.

Pray these days for Vietnamese believers who are walking in faith for God to fully remind them He is a faithful God. All for His glory. #pray4vietnam
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#faith #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Statues for sale that will serve as idols to bow d Statues for sale that will serve as idols to bow down, burn incense to, and offer prayers to in homes and businesses bound by culture and tradition.

“O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. Then they will learn that You alone are called the Lord, that You alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth.” Psalms 83:1,18

Ask God to act and show Himself that Vietnamese will know the Most High God. #pray4vietnam
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#wisdom #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
Open-air shopping brings the goods closer to the c Open-air shopping brings the goods closer to the customer who might walk or drive by for a purchase at this market in District 12.

“Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.” Proverbs 28:26

A life built on the foundation of wisdom can withstand the winds of change and the waves of adversity. Wisdom keeps us engaged with God's perspective. Seeking after God's way always is best.

Pray for Vietnamese to want to stand strong against culture and tradition and follow God's ways. Intercede and ask for them to seek God's wisdom. #pray4vietnam
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#wisdom #bibleverse #prayerchangesthings #gospel #vietnam
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