VIETNAM

Evolution of Vietnam• A Brief history of Vietnam:

– Formerly ruled by the China until 938AD when they gained independence

– Also colonized by the French in the 19th century with the arrival of merchants from the Roman empire

– Exposed to the western culture with the entry of Portuguese and other European traders.

• A Brief History of Vietnam– During the 20th century, the Vietnamese patriots

realized that they could not defeat France without modernization. Having been exposed to Western philosophy, they aimed to establish a republic upon independence.

– Introduction of Marxism

– World War II and the Japanese occupation

– Indochina War and the Vietnam War

Evolution of Vietnam

Significant Events• Indochina War (1945 – 1954)

– The surrender of the Japanese created a power vacuum

– Gave rise to a revolution of communism taking over Vietnam

– A full scale war broke out between Viet Minh and France (1947).

– Vietnam continued to receive military aid from China which led to the surrender of France in 1954.

Significant Events• Vietnam War (1954-1975)

– The Geneva Conference of 1954 ended France’s colonial presence in Vietnam and separated the country into two states – Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam and non communist) and North Vietnam (communist) which were separated by the 17th parallel.

– Highlights the fight against communism

Vietnam War (1954 – 1975)– Highlights the fight against communism

– US supported the south to prevent the spread of communism to the rest of Asia

– Internal instability conflicts between the South and the North(Communist).

– USA defeat and withdrawal (1973)

– Penetration of communism into South Vietnam

Post 1975 Socialism• Officially renamed Soviet Republic of

Vietnam, capital Hanoi(1976).

• Became increasingly aligned with Soviet Union

• Wide spread propaganda of communist values and ideals

• Living conditions forced people to flee the country

Evolution of Vietnam

Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

Tết Nguyên Đán, It is also known as ‘Feast of the First Morning’.

Tết is celebrated on the same day as Lunar New Year. It shares many of the same customs with the Chinese.

An occasion for pilgrims and family reunions.

Vietnamese Clothings

• The Áo Dài

• Plain/Dull Clothes

• Western Clothings

Social Behaviour in Vietnam

• Talking too loudly or using excessive body language

• Marriages and funeral rituals

• Being humble

• Drinking & smoking in public

• Taking promises seriously

• Paying at social outings

• Being sentimental to their ancestors

Vietnamese MarriageThe bond of marriage is considered sacred

among the Vietnamese and they strongly believe in the play of fate where choosing a

mate for marriage is concerned.

• Mates chosen by the family

• Bride and Groom given a choice to voice their opinion

• After marriage for the wife

• Maintaining similarity in social rank, education, moral history, etc.

• Matching the couple’s horoscope

Vietnamese Family Structure

Vietnamese customs and traditions give the highest importance to the familial structure. The family is considered a social unit in Vietnam.

• Large patriarchal joint families, with four generations residing together• The man in the family takes care of the external world • Women are responsible for the matters of the house• Children live with their parents• Children also look after their aged parents

Having a large familyPreference for males over females

Beliefs & Religions• Buddhism, Confucianism & Taoism –

DEEP INFLUENCE

• 2 types of Buddhism - Theravada Buddhism(most Vietnamese)- Mahayana branch

( those living around the Mekong River)

• Confucianism- Introduced in 1st Century- Filial Piety

• Taoism- became a source of inspiration for poets

and writers- Mystic aspect

OTHER RELIGIONS

• Christianity

• Cao Dai

• Hoa Hao

Beliefs & Religions

Founder of Hoa Hao

Notre DameCathedral

Beliefs & Religions• Never have there been religious fanaticism or

religious warfare in Vietnam

• Synthesis of the three traditional religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism)

• Which have been coexisting peacefully for centuries in Vietnam

• Vietnamese (Official Language)

• French

• English

• Chinese/Cantonese

Languages

Vietnamese TALKING

Hello - xin chào

Good Morning - Chào buổi sáng

Good Afternoon - Chào buổi chiều

Good Evening - Chào buổi tối

How are you? - Bạn khoẻ không?

I am fine - Tôi tốt

How much - Bao nhiêu?

Delicious – Ngon

• It is good to know or understand a few words of the local language.

• When addressing, the order for a Vietnamese name is family name, middle name, and given name.

• Greeting to know :

- "chao“ should be accompanied with the appropriate title, respect for age and status.

Words to know

Etiquette & Customs – The Don’ts

. Avoid public displays of affection with a member of the opposite sex. . Do not touch someone's head. . Pass items with both hands. . Do not point with your finger - use your hand.. Do not stand with your hands on your hips. . Do not cross your arms on your chest. . Do not pass anything over someone's head. . Do not touch anyone on the shoulder. . Do not touch a member of the opposite sex. . Shorts should only be worn at the beach.

Work Practices in Vietnam• The Vietnamese practice

punctuality.

• Shake hands with everyone who is present at the meeting.

• Have business cards prepared, for everyone present. (Use both hands when presenting.)

• It would be good to make an effort to pronounce their names. (Family, Middle, Given names)

• Connection and introductions are an important part of doing business in Vietnam.

• Try to speak more slowly and distinctly but not so slow or distinct as to offend.

• Never make a Vietnamese person lose face!

Work Practices in Vietnam

• Long-term commitment to the country and visit it. Vietnamese are still a conservative and relation based society and connection over time and face-to-face meetings are

critical in building trust and encouraging

support.

Work Practices in Vietnam

Meeting the People

THANK YOU(: