CULTURE AND CULTURE AND CUSTOMS OF CUSTOMS OF

VIETNAMVIETNAM

Book by Mark W. McLeod, Book by Mark W. McLeod, Nguyen Thi DieuNguyen Thi Dieu

1. LAND, PEOPLE, AND 1. LAND, PEOPLE, AND LANGUAGELANGUAGE

GeographyGeography

Ethnolinguistic GroupsEthnolinguistic Groups

Ethnical Vietnamese Ethnical Vietnamese derive from a derive from a combination of combination of aboriginal Australoid aboriginal Australoid peoples with peoples with Indonesian and Indonesian and Mongoloid peoples Mongoloid peoples from outside the from outside the region.region.

Viet Nam’s mountains Viet Nam’s mountains are inhabited by non-are inhabited by non-Viet ethnic groups, Viet ethnic groups, similar to people from similar to people from Thailand and Laos.Thailand and Laos.

H’mong tribe from Northern Viet H’mong tribe from Northern Viet NamNam

Cham girls in the Mekong DeltaCham girls in the Mekong Delta

Khmer Krom and Khmer Krom and Cham minorities Cham minorities inhabit lowlands.inhabit lowlands.

Chinese also create Chinese also create their own distinct their own distinct community.community.

The Vietnamese LanguageThe Vietnamese Language

Tonal (has 4 to 6 Tonal (has 4 to 6 tones depending on a tones depending on a district);district);

Monosyllabic;Monosyllabic; Isolating language Isolating language

(words don’t change (words don’t change their forms);their forms);

Has three writing Has three writing systems, with only systems, with only the latest the latest quoc nguquoc ngu used today.used today.

Forms of AddressForms of Address

Vietnamese language is permeated Vietnamese language is permeated with indicators of status and of the with indicators of status and of the relationship between speaker and relationship between speaker and interlocutor.interlocutor.

In family relationships are based in In family relationships are based in terms of age, sex, generation, paternal terms of age, sex, generation, paternal and maternal lineage, and marriage.and maternal lineage, and marriage.

It is customary to address people by It is customary to address people by given names.given names.

2. HISTORY AND 2. HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS

Pre-Colonial InstitutionsPre-Colonial Institutions

Four Confucian classes: sholars (Four Confucian classes: sholars (sisi), ), peasants (peasants (nongnong), artisans (), artisans (congcong), and ), and merchants merchants (thuong(thuong))..

Basic administrative and social unit – the Basic administrative and social unit – the village.village.

Appearance of three main cities: Hue Appearance of three main cities: Hue (preeminent administrative city, where the (preeminent administrative city, where the Emperor resided), Ha Noi (strategically Emperor resided), Ha Noi (strategically well positioned, capital until now), and Sai well positioned, capital until now), and Sai Gon (prominent for commercial reasons).Gon (prominent for commercial reasons).

Viet Nam Under French Viet Nam Under French DominationDomination

Move from self-sufficient village-level Move from self-sufficient village-level agriculture to export-oriented agriculture to export-oriented plantation economy.plantation economy.

Many peasants lost land due to tax Many peasants lost land due to tax enforcement and new monopolies.enforcement and new monopolies.

Indochina became world’s leading Indochina became world’s leading rice exporter, enriching all but the rice exporter, enriching all but the direct producer.direct producer.

The Rise of NationalismThe Rise of Nationalism

There were three There were three different stages of different stages of resistance against resistance against nationalism:nationalism:

1.1. Traditionalists, Traditionalists, who wanted to who wanted to restore monarchy;restore monarchy;

2.2. Western oriented Western oriented noncommunists;noncommunists;

3.3. Western oriented Western oriented communists.communists.

By repressing the noncommunist By repressing the noncommunist nationalists, France inadvertently opened nationalists, France inadvertently opened

the way for Marxists.the way for Marxists. Nguyen Sinh Cuong Nguyen Sinh Cuong

(a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh) (a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh) founded founded Indochinese Indochinese Communist Party in Communist Party in 1930;1930;

In 1945, he founded In 1945, he founded the Democratic the Democratic Republic of Viet Republic of Viet Nam (D.R.V.).Nam (D.R.V.).

The Socialist RepublicThe Socialist Republic

After the war, in 1975 the North was After the war, in 1975 the North was devastated and centralized economic devastated and centralized economic planning failed to meet the growing planning failed to meet the growing population’s needs.population’s needs.

2 billion dollar annual help from USSR 2 billion dollar annual help from USSR mostly was lost by mismanagement and mostly was lost by mismanagement and corruption.corruption.

Due to political and economical reasons, Due to political and economical reasons, an exodus of hundreds of thousands an exodus of hundreds of thousands began in 1978.began in 1978.

The Socialist RepublicThe Socialist Republic

In 1991 In 1991 Doi Moi Doi Moi (Renovation) was (Renovation) was launched, which stated that the Viet Nam launched, which stated that the Viet Nam Communist Party (VCP) would stay Communist Party (VCP) would stay supreme in politics but would partially supreme in politics but would partially withdraw from economics to let the withdraw from economics to let the market operate.market operate.

New Rout has dismantled much of the New Rout has dismantled much of the public sector and created the New Poor.public sector and created the New Poor.

No effective regulation caused huge No effective regulation caused huge ecological problems.ecological problems.

3. THOUGHT AND RELIGION3. THOUGHT AND RELIGION

AnimismAnimism

Believe that spirits Believe that spirits inhabit rocks, trees, inhabit rocks, trees, animals, and the rest animals, and the rest of the natural world.of the natural world.

People should People should propitiate them to propitiate them to avoid disasters and avoid disasters and attract success.attract success.

Humans have two Humans have two types of spirits: types of spirits: hon hon (spiritual) and (spiritual) and via via (material).(material).

TaoismTaoism

People have to act by People have to act by combining two combining two properties, properties, “concentration” (“concentration” (amam) ) and “expansion” and “expansion” ((duongduong).).

Taoism in Viet Nam Taoism in Viet Nam blended with blended with Animism and is Animism and is indistinguishable indistinguishable today.today.

Taoist masters serve Taoist masters serve as healers, mediums, as healers, mediums, and geomancers.and geomancers.

BuddhismBuddhism

Entered Viet lands Entered Viet lands from China and from China and derives from derives from Chinese Mahayana.Chinese Mahayana.

Served as state Served as state religion during religion during middle ages.middle ages.

Fused with other Fused with other religions, especially religions, especially animism.animism.

ConfucianismConfucianism

States that people States that people must accept fixed rules must accept fixed rules in the society.in the society.

Entered Viet lands Entered Viet lands during Chinese during Chinese domination but only in domination but only in 1400s the Viet rulers 1400s the Viet rulers adopted it.adopted it.

Family life was Family life was influenced by its ideas influenced by its ideas about the virtues of about the virtues of male domination, male domination, ancestor worship and ancestor worship and filial piety.filial piety.

CatholicismCatholicism

Introduced by Introduced by missionaries in 1500s missionaries in 1500s and was then banned and was then banned by the monarchs.by the monarchs.

It’s appeal was It’s appeal was enhanced when the enhanced when the missionaries learnt missionaries learnt Vietnamese and Vietnamese and presented their presented their doctrines to peasants.doctrines to peasants.

The French used the The French used the “persecution” of “persecution” of Catholics to rationalize Catholics to rationalize attacks on Viet Nam.attacks on Viet Nam.

The New SectsThe New Sects

Cao DaismCao Daism Their beliefs draw Their beliefs draw

upon all the above upon all the above mentioned mentioned religions;religions;

Began in 1919, Began in 1919, when the when the Cao Dai Cao Dai supposedly supposedly manifested itself to manifested itself to nguyen Van Chieu.nguyen Van Chieu.

Hoa HaoHoa Hao ““Hoa Hao Hoa Hao

Buddhism” was Buddhism” was founded by Huynh founded by Huynh Phu So;Phu So;

Doctrines were a Doctrines were a simplified simplified devotional devotional Buddhism mixed Buddhism mixed with Animist and with Animist and Taoist practices.Taoist practices.

Religion in the Socialist Religion in the Socialist RepublicRepublic

The Communist Party doctrinally is The Communist Party doctrinally is atheist and wary of any group capable atheist and wary of any group capable of challenging its rule;of challenging its rule;

It has banned the practices that it It has banned the practices that it considers to be superstitious, considers to be superstitious, wasteful, or degrading;wasteful, or degrading;

Even though, it has not waged violent Even though, it has not waged violent mass campaigns to root outreligious mass campaigns to root outreligious belief per se, as it was in the Soviet belief per se, as it was in the Soviet Union.Union.

4. LITERATURE4. LITERATURE

Viet literature is divided in three Viet literature is divided in three main categories:main categories:

Written in Chinese characters;Written in Chinese characters; Written in vernacular characters;Written in vernacular characters; Written in Romanized Vietnamese;Written in Romanized Vietnamese; And a sub-group the folk tradition, And a sub-group the folk tradition,

which was not written.which was not written.

5. ART AND ARCHITECTURE5. ART AND ARCHITECTURE

CeramicsCeramics

Making of ceramics in Making of ceramics in Viet lands dates to Viet lands dates to Neolithic times;Neolithic times;

Took off during 11Took off during 11thth--1212thth centuries (celadon centuries (celadon glazed ceramics on the glazed ceramics on the right);right);

Used not only to make Used not only to make pottery, but also figural pottery, but also figural ceramics used as toys; ceramics used as toys; ornamental ceramics ornamental ceramics to decorate temple to decorate temple roofs and so forth.roofs and so forth.

Ceramics

Lacquerware

• Lacquer items date back to 3rd or 4th century B.C.;

• Used for preservation or decoration of wooden items;

• During the French colonial period, artists started using variety of colours, while at the beginning there were only three: black, red, and brown (canh gian – literally the color of cocroach wing).

Wood-block printing

• Typical painting hasn’t developed in pre-colonial Vietnam, so it’s part was taken by wood-block printing;

• The themes were immutable but varied from familiar rural surroundings as well as from mythological and historical sources, but all carried a symbolism meant to convey wishes; to impart moral lessons; or to satirize.

Modern PaintingModern Painting

French introduced Viets to Western French introduced Viets to Western art by opening art by opening Ecole des Beaux-Arts Ecole des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochinede l’Indochine (Indochina School of (Indochina School of Fine Arts – ISFA)Fine Arts – ISFA) in 1925, in Ha Noi.in 1925, in Ha Noi.

The first generation graduated from The first generation graduated from that school was inspired by that school was inspired by classicism and romanticism and their classicism and romanticism and their works depicted idealized, works depicted idealized, harmonious settings.harmonious settings.

First generation

With the partition of the country in 1954, With the partition of the country in 1954, Vietnam witnessed emergence of two Vietnam witnessed emergence of two

schools of art:schools of art: Northern;Northern; Isolated from outer Isolated from outer

world;world; Depicted peasants’ Depicted peasants’

and workers’ and workers’ everyday life;everyday life;

Art was used for Art was used for propaganda.propaganda.

Southern;Southern; Highly exposed to Highly exposed to

Western influence;Western influence; Cubism, Cubism,

Abstractionism, Abstractionism, and Futurism made and Futurism made had big impact;had big impact;

Vietnamese Vietnamese inspirations.inspirations.

Northern SchoolNorthern School

Southern SchoolSouthern School

Postwar modern paintingPostwar modern painting

New opportunities New opportunities to present exhibits;to present exhibits;

No more social No more social pressures or moral pressures or moral obligations;obligations;

Free to travel and Free to travel and experiment.experiment.

Postwar modern paintingPostwar modern painting

ArchitectureArchitecture

Influenced by China;Influenced by China; Depending on its function can be divided Depending on its function can be divided

in three categories: religious (pagodasin three categories: religious (pagodas,, communal houses and deified national-communal houses and deified national-hero temples), military (citadels), and hero temples), military (citadels), and civilian (imperial palaces, habitations of civilian (imperial palaces, habitations of peasants and mandarins, infrastructure, peasants and mandarins, infrastructure, etc.);etc.);

Geomancy dictated the choice of the site Geomancy dictated the choice of the site and the orientation of the buildingand the orientation of the building

Religious buildingsReligious buildings

Military builidingsMilitary builidings

Civilian buildingsCivilian buildings

6. CUISINE6. CUISINE

Utensils and Manners

• Refrigeration was impossible, so food was bought on a daily basis;

• Food was eaten at a low table or on a bamboo mat;

• Chopsticks were used to eat solid food and ceramic spoon for soup;

• Food was served in the middle in the communal bowls and everyone had his/her own rice bowl;

• Senior male of the household had the right to start and finish eating.

Utensils

Cereals, Fruits and VegetablesCereals, Fruits and Vegetables

Rice has long been the staple of Viet cuisine Rice has long been the staple of Viet cuisine (the verb “to eat” in Vietnamese is (the verb “to eat” in Vietnamese is anc comanc com – literately, “to eat rice”) and is eaten – literately, “to eat rice”) and is eaten steamed; its flour is used to make noodles, steamed; its flour is used to make noodles, rice paper, etc.; rice was fermented into fish rice paper, etc.; rice was fermented into fish paste; and finally distilled to make a variety paste; and finally distilled to make a variety of alcoholic drinks.of alcoholic drinks.

Most important fruits: bananas, oranges, Most important fruits: bananas, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, mangoes, papayas, grapefruits, lemons, mangoes, papayas, jackfruit, durian, and pineapples.jackfruit, durian, and pineapples.

Most widely used vegetables and legumes: Most widely used vegetables and legumes: soy, convolves, potatoes, sweet potatoes, soy, convolves, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, shallots, garlic, and ginger.onions, shallots, garlic, and ginger.

Durian and jackfruit

Sweet potatoes, convolves, and soy

VegetarianismVegetarianism

Buddhist monks abstain Buddhist monks abstain from all animal products from all animal products (including milk and (including milk and eggs);eggs);

Some modern lay Some modern lay practitioners follow a practitioners follow a vegetarian diet;vegetarian diet;

Most of Buddhists Most of Buddhists abstain from eating abstain from eating meat during Buddhist meat during Buddhist festivals and before festivals and before going to temple;going to temple;

Vietnamese are very Vietnamese are very creative and can make creative and can make tofu look and taste tofu look and taste exactly like meat.exactly like meat.

Meat and Meat ProductsMeat and Meat Products

Meat products play a Meat products play a relatively small role in the relatively small role in the daily diets of most daily diets of most Vietnamese;Vietnamese;

Most peasants raised fowl Most peasants raised fowl (pigeons, chickens, ducks);(pigeons, chickens, ducks);

Elite cuisine utilized larger Elite cuisine utilized larger domesticated animals domesticated animals (goats, oxen, water (goats, oxen, water buffaloes, dogs, and pigs);buffaloes, dogs, and pigs);

Game was not popular but Game was not popular but as an addition was eaten as an addition was eaten by both elite (deer, by both elite (deer, pythons, iguanas, cobras) pythons, iguanas, cobras) and peasants (bats, mice).and peasants (bats, mice).

Fish and CrustaceansFish and Crustaceans

Fish, crustaceans, and batrachians (toads Fish, crustaceans, and batrachians (toads and frogs) made an essential part of Viet’s and frogs) made an essential part of Viet’s diet as it has a lot of water at it’s disposal;diet as it has a lot of water at it’s disposal;

In the shallow waters were caught tiny In the shallow waters were caught tiny fish, crabs, and shrimp;fish, crabs, and shrimp;

Frogs were hunted within their holes;Frogs were hunted within their holes; Fish were taken in deeper rivers, canals, Fish were taken in deeper rivers, canals,

and lakes (used lines with baited hooks, and lakes (used lines with baited hooks, nets);nets);

The bottoms of rivers and lakes were also The bottoms of rivers and lakes were also dredged for snails and other mollusks.dredged for snails and other mollusks.

Fish and Crustaceans

Fish and CrustaceansFish and Crustaceans

Was served directly Was served directly in variety of dishes;in variety of dishes;

Processed with salt Processed with salt to make condiments to make condiments and sauces; the most and sauces; the most widely used is fish widely used is fish sauce sauce nuoc mamnuoc mam;;

Additional sources of Additional sources of animal protein were animal protein were insects, such as palm insects, such as palm grub or grub or grasshoppers.grasshoppers.

Fish and CrustaceansFish and Crustaceans

Drinks and DessertsDrinks and Desserts

The main drink from The main drink from pre-colonial era is tea;pre-colonial era is tea;

Alcoholic drinks were Alcoholic drinks were not only for relaxation not only for relaxation and entertainment but and entertainment but also used as medicine also used as medicine and as offering to and as offering to ancestors;ancestors;

Nowadays coffee, beer Nowadays coffee, beer and other Western and other Western drinks are gaining drinks are gaining popularity.popularity.

Tea drinking utensils

Viet enjoy a variety of cakes candies and Viet enjoy a variety of cakes candies and puddings, nowadays ice-cream is getting puddings, nowadays ice-cream is getting

popular as well.popular as well.

Areca Nuts, Tobacco, and Areca Nuts, Tobacco, and OpiumOpium

Areca nut chaw included nuts from the Areca nut chaw included nuts from the areca palm, betel vine leaves, and lime.areca palm, betel vine leaves, and lime.

Betel chewing stained the teeth unevenly, Betel chewing stained the teeth unevenly, the solution to the problem was to lacquer the solution to the problem was to lacquer teeth entirely black.teeth entirely black.

Tobacco was usually smoked in a long-Tobacco was usually smoked in a long-stemmed water pipe; increased contact stemmed water pipe; increased contact with Western world has led to the fact that with Western world has led to the fact that now almost all Viet men smoke cigarettes.now almost all Viet men smoke cigarettes.

Opium was smoked by a minority during Opium was smoked by a minority during colonial times; now people started using colonial times; now people started using intravenous opiates such as heroine.intravenous opiates such as heroine.

Areca Nuts, Tobacco, and Areca Nuts, Tobacco, and OpiumOpium

Daily Fare in the S.R.V.Daily Fare in the S.R.V.

Eating is considered Eating is considered a very social part of a very social part of Viet life;Viet life;

People usually eat People usually eat three times a day;three times a day;

Most meals are Most meals are eaten with family eaten with family but fast life pace has but fast life pace has changed habits and changed habits and people eat at the people eat at the roadside eateries roadside eateries more often.more often.

Typical foodTypical food

7. Family, Gender, and 7. Family, Gender, and Youth CultureYouth Culture

The Vietnamese Family in Pre-The Vietnamese Family in Pre-colonial Timescolonial Times

Patrilineal and patriarchal;Patrilineal and patriarchal; ““Clan” through a common male ancestor;Clan” through a common male ancestor; Family head – father or grandfather;Family head – father or grandfather; Three fundamental values: filial piety, moral Three fundamental values: filial piety, moral

debt or gratitude, and merit;debt or gratitude, and merit; Arranged marriages; sons were obliged to Arranged marriages; sons were obliged to

ensure the continuity of male line;ensure the continuity of male line; Women in marriage were under authority of Women in marriage were under authority of

her husband as well as her mother-in-law;her husband as well as her mother-in-law;

The Vietnamese Family in Pre-The Vietnamese Family in Pre-colonial Timescolonial Times

Men were permitted to take several wives;Men were permitted to take several wives; Children were doted upon by their parents;Children were doted upon by their parents; Out of fare that an evil spirit could take Out of fare that an evil spirit could take

away child it was given a coarse nickname;away child it was given a coarse nickname; Upon reaching his sixth birthday Upon reaching his sixth birthday

(Vietnamese kids are considered one at (Vietnamese kids are considered one at birth) a boy might be sent to the village birth) a boy might be sent to the village school;school;

Girls were to stay at home and get their Girls were to stay at home and get their training as future wives.training as future wives.

Vietnamese weddingVietnamese wedding

The Family in Times of WarThe Family in Times of War

Wars that went on for 30 years have shook Wars that went on for 30 years have shook the foundations of Vietnamese society;the foundations of Vietnamese society;

Women had to fulfill roles of men as they Women had to fulfill roles of men as they were not their anymore;were not their anymore;

In the Republic of Vietnam (R.V.N.) some In the Republic of Vietnam (R.V.N.) some women started working toward women’s women started working toward women’s liberation and passed laws but it did little in liberation and passed laws but it did little in practice;practice;

In the D.R.V. socialist revolution had to give In the D.R.V. socialist revolution had to give women equal rights but at the same time women equal rights but at the same time they still had their previous duties of they still had their previous duties of household chores, which made it very hard household chores, which made it very hard for them.for them.

Family Life in the S.R.V.Family Life in the S.R.V.

Government started a two children Government started a two children policy to control demographics;policy to control demographics;

Increase of nuclear families (parent’s Increase of nuclear families (parent’s and their children);and their children);

Increase in physical abuse against Increase in physical abuse against women;women;

Many children born out of wedlock;Many children born out of wedlock; Polygyny is still a prevailing social Polygyny is still a prevailing social

phenomenon.phenomenon.

Generation 2000Generation 2000

Despite the VCP’s try to guide young Despite the VCP’s try to guide young people in the “right direction”, western people in the “right direction”, western ideas seep in their minds;ideas seep in their minds;

Most young people are material wealth Most young people are material wealth orientated;orientated;

They want to be fashionable, listen to They want to be fashionable, listen to trendy music and like all that’s associated trendy music and like all that’s associated to the western culture;to the western culture;

The only tradition that has survived among The only tradition that has survived among youngsters is youngsters is ao daiao dai, the traditional , the traditional women’s clothing, worn as girls school women’s clothing, worn as girls school uniform as well.uniform as well.

Generation 2000Generation 2000

8. FESTIVALS AND LEISURE 8. FESTIVALS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

FestivalsFestivals

Tet Nguyen-danTet Nguyen-dan, or , or the New Year’s Day;the New Year’s Day;

Le Han-tucLe Han-tuc, or Cold , or Cold Foods Festival;Foods Festival;

Le Than-minhLe Than-minh, or Pure , or Pure Brightness Festival;Brightness Festival;

Le Doan-ngoLe Doan-ngo, or , or Double Five Festival;Double Five Festival;

Tet Trung-thuTet Trung-thu, or Mid-, or Mid-Autumn Festival.Autumn Festival.

Group Specific ObservancesGroup Specific Observances

Christmas and Easter for Christians;Christmas and Easter for Christians; Sakyamuni’s birthday, the day of his Sakyamuni’s birthday, the day of his

enlightenment, and enlightenment, and Le Vu-lanLe Vu-lan for for Buddhists;Buddhists;

VCP celebrations: the anniversary of VCP celebrations: the anniversary of founding of the Communist Party; Ho founding of the Communist Party; Ho Chi Minh’s birthday; Liberation Day; Chi Minh’s birthday; Liberation Day; International Worker’s Day.International Worker’s Day.

Leisure Activities (Pre-colonial)Leisure Activities (Pre-colonial)

Sports;Sports; Kite-running;Kite-running; Gambling;Gambling; Competition between Competition between

animal, fish, or birds;animal, fish, or birds; Competitions in Competitions in

which villagers would which villagers would mach their strength;mach their strength;

Board games Board games (especially chess).(especially chess).

Sports and Leisure in Sports and Leisure in Contemporary Viet NamContemporary Viet Nam

Professional sport highly popular;Professional sport highly popular; People actively participate in sports People actively participate in sports

themselves (tai chi, football, badminton);themselves (tai chi, football, badminton); Cafes and bars, discos;Cafes and bars, discos; Cinemas;Cinemas; Concerts of Vietnamese pop stars;Concerts of Vietnamese pop stars; Games (chess or Games (chess or to toito toi);); Television;Television; Socializing;Socializing; Karaoke.Karaoke.

Sports and Leisure in Sports and Leisure in Contemporary Viet NamContemporary Viet Nam

9. PERFORMING ARTS9. PERFORMING ARTS

Music and DanceMusic and Dance

Music can be divided into traditional and Music can be divided into traditional and modern;modern;

Within the traditional: court, folkloric, Within the traditional: court, folkloric, chamber, and liturgical music;chamber, and liturgical music;

Vietnamese music is pentatonic in scale, Vietnamese music is pentatonic in scale, stressing the voice more than the instrument;stressing the voice more than the instrument;

Folk songs have been ”modernized” recently Folk songs have been ”modernized” recently to attract younger audiences;to attract younger audiences;

Modern music emerged in 1930s;Modern music emerged in 1930s; These days Western-style music is on the These days Western-style music is on the

high.high.

The monochord, sinh tien (coin clapper), and the two-stringed, moon-shaped plucked lute.

Traditional (Musical) TheatreTraditional (Musical) Theatre

Encompassed all the artistic expressions of song, Encompassed all the artistic expressions of song, dance, mime, and declamation;dance, mime, and declamation;

No scenery;No scenery; Has two branches: Has two branches: hat cheohat cheo (popular) and (popular) and hat hat

tuong tuong (classical);(classical); Hat cheoHat cheo – peasant entertainment, acted by – peasant entertainment, acted by

farmers;farmers; Hat tuong Hat tuong – small groups acting for elite or – small groups acting for elite or

travelling the villages;travelling the villages; In the 1920s was born the “renovated theatre”, In the 1920s was born the “renovated theatre”,

consisting of southern Vietnamese music and consisting of southern Vietnamese music and modern theatre;modern theatre;

Modern theatre has been treated as a mean of Modern theatre has been treated as a mean of propaganda by the socialist regime.propaganda by the socialist regime.

Traditional (Musical) TheatreTraditional (Musical) Theatre

Water PuppetryWater Puppetry

Performed by Performed by villagers, who villagers, who created a guild;created a guild;

Shown over a body Shown over a body of water;of water;

Exclusively Exclusively Vietnamese.Vietnamese.