Understanding Vietnamese Culture - Essay Example

Understanding Vietnamese Culture Language The Vietnam official language is Vietnamese, which has Khmer, Chinese and Thai influences (Karnow 2000, p.20). The French introduced the Romanized script that replaced the Chinese characters in the 20th Century, and also the phonetic script. Vietnam people speak a variety of languages still such as; French, English, Chinese and the mountain region languages (Shapiro 2002, p.10). Their language has 3 mutually intelligible dialects, Central, Northern and Southern (Shapiro 2002, p.14). These dialects vary in their tones and pronunciation (LaBorde 2010, p.14). Even though, a number of Vietnamese in America come from the south regions of Vietnam and talk the same dialect as the interpreters, difficulties can arise (Pham 2005, p.10). Different pronunciations can convey different nuances (Karnow 2000, p.20). Also, even though their words can be spelt similarly, their true meaning depend on the spoken accent. Social Structure Family gets valued highly in the Vietnamese family, and it plays a central part in the culture. This family becomes extended consisting of married sons, daughters in law; young un married adult daughters, and the grandchildren (Shapiro 2002, p.13). The family structure is patriarchal. The eldest male is the family decision maker and spokesman. In the traditional families of Vietnamese, the husbands make crucial decisions on matters outside the home, while the wives take care of homes and have the responsibility of making decisions concerning healthcare (Pham 2005, p.10). The elders in the community become highly honored and respected (Karnow 2000, p.20). The kids are at all times required to obey them. Decisions regarding the community get made on the basis of common good, mostly under the direction of one of the elderly males(Pham 2005, p.10). Individualism becomes discouraged totally in line of the family responsibilities that enhance interdependence, sense of belonging and support. Religion The Vietnamese people have wide religious beliefs that play a significant part in their normal way of life. This also includes the decisions regarding end of life matters and health care. A number of Vietnamese people practice Buddhism (Karnow 2000, p.20). These religions posit that people should live a virtuous life by ignoring personal desire. Other beliefs include; animism, ancestor worship, the philosophical principles of Confucianism and also Taoism that symbolizes the importance of family life, harmony and social virtues (Karnow 2000, p.20). People of Southern Vietnam practice Christianity, mostly Catholicism. Cham community found in the Central Coastal Plain practice Islam while the Indian communities in Ho Chi Minh City practice Hinduism (Shapiro 2002, p.12). Law and Politics Vietnam’s politics gets defined clearly by the important factors. The President acts as the head of state, and the Prime Minister heads the government (Shapiro 2002, p.10). The country is a one party system with Communist Party leading it. The President exercises the Executive power. The country’s national assembly has the legislative power (Shapiro 2002, p.10). The judiciary is also independent of the executive (Karnow 2000, p.20). The countries current constitution had become amended once since 1992, when it became adopted. Vietnam’s president gets elected by the parliament for a five year term. He takes command of the Armed forces and chairman of Defense and Security Council. Education The Vietnamese treasure education highly treasured than the material or physical wealth. It is culture’s pillar, and it starts at home. A rich person who is uneducated becomes seen as inferior to a poor, learned person. In the culture’s traditional system, at the top of the social hierarchy is the scholar. Second in line is the farmer followed by the artisan and lastly, the tradesman. Parents are solely responsible for the education of their children. Values and Attitudes The cultural value and attitudes of the Vietnamese people emphasizes on family’s importance, and also the community (Karnow 2000, p.20). The core values embrace the principle of Confucianism, that is, duty, harmony, respect, honor and allegiance to the family. In order for people to achieve harmony, one becomes expected to show moderation and stay clear of extremes in communication, food and drink consumption, normal daily routines, and also social interaction to enable the presence of physical safety and also adhere to the principle of keeping one’s dignity without blemish (Shapiro 2002, p.14). Members of the community have the sole duty to carry themselves with the highest dignity at all circumstances, so as to prevent the family or oneself shame (Karnow 2000, p.20). Duties and roles of every family member get defined clearly. These governs a person’s actions are the scene sacrifices one makes to his/ her family. For example, the parents’ role is to raise their kids properly, provide shelter, food, education and instill moral values into them (Pham 2005, p.10). The duty of the kids is to obey their parents at all times and never to question their teaching or authority. The children become required to take care of their parents when they get older. Technology and Material Culture Vinasat-1 is Vietnam’s first satellite to be stationed in orbit. It got launched in 2008 by the Ariane 5ECA rocket (LaBorde 2010, p.11). Ariane space conducted the launch of the rocket. VINAST is Vietnam’s national satellite program (LaBorde 2010, p.11). This project sole aim is to bring independence to Vietnam’s satellite communication. Other benefits include opening new and wide economic opportunities and enhancing the countries national security. Electricity of Vietnam has also signed an agreement with a number of Japanese companies to continue design, ultimate construction and operation of Vietnam’s second proposed nuclear power generating plant (Karnow 2000, p.20). According to the memorandum of understanding, the companies will supply reactors using the latest modern technology and containing the highest safety, ensure a stable supply of nuclear fuel, and provide support for the radioactive waste disposal (Pham 2005, p.10). Aesthetics The architecture of the Vietnamese shows a graceful aesthetic of the natural cohesion and harmony, which gets seen in any of the nation’s large numbers of monasteries and historic temples (Shapiro 2002, p.11). The pagoda is the pre eminent architectural design it comprises of a series of stepped pyramidal designs, and constantly adorned with painted ornamentation and lavish carvings. Power Distance This is the degree to which the less powerful members of the society expect and also accept that power is unevenly distributed (Shapiro 2002, p.13). Vietnam has a high power distance. Vietnam’s power becomes unequally distributed, but this gets seen as part of their culture from the different ends of the social classes (Karnow 2000, p.20). Other cultures see all the members of their community as equal despite the vast differences in wealth, education and power (Pham 2005, p.10). In Vietnam, even as the country develops at am alarming fast rate, there is still a clear difference between those who have and those without, and also the political elite and the common people. Individualism This character gets found in societies that have loose ties between community members and everyone becomes responsible for him/ herself and also his/ her immediate family (Shapiro 2002, p.12). Vietnam is a collectivist society where people from birth become integrated into extremely strong, cohesive groups, mostly the extended family that continues to protect them. Masculinity When a culture become considered masculine, this is to say that the culture value masculinity more. A masculine culture is more patriarchal, and men’s role is prominent in the culture. Masculinity gets valued highly in Vietnamese culture (Karnow 2000, p.20). The country follows the Confucianism role of the father to son relationship. This shows that the father is the head of the household. Uncertainty Avoidance This idea of low and high uncertainty avoidance works with whether or not, one culture is aware of what might happen in the future and also, how much control the community deems as necessary to possess over this (Pham 2005, p.10). Vietnam is a low uncertainty avoidance culture (Shapiro 2002, p.14). Despite the country having decades of war in their country, they do not dwell on this or live their lives in fear. They welcome outsiders to their country and become highly relaxed and less tense (Karnow 2000, p.20). The Vietnamese people are confident in their nation and comfortable with whatever uncertainty tomorrow brings. Long-Term Orientation Vietnam is highly high on the long-term orientation (Shapiro 2002, p.11). The people are hard-working and always respect their superiors. The Vietnamese value the relationships they have built and not the results they will get immediately. Universalism vs. particularism (What is more beneficial, rules or relationships.) The Vietnamese people value the family relationships highly (Pham 2005, p.10). Children become introduced in the community early on in their lives hence, strengthening the family bond. Individualism versus collectivism (communitarianism) (Do the people function in a group or as individuals.) Vietnam gets regarded highly as a collectivist culture. The Vietnamese culture becomes based strongly around family and society (Pham 2005, p.10). One’s family comes first before oneself. Therefore, the people value the collective group rather than the person. Neutral versus emotional (Do we show our emotions.) The Vietnamese people tend to hide their emotions under smiles. They never display their emotions publicly. Specific versus diffuse (How do we keep our private and working lives separate) The Vietnamese lives are not a secret since they work in groups. People learn from each other in their culture (Shapiro 2002, p.13). Achievement versus ascription (Do we always have to prove ourselves in order to receive status or is it handed to us.) In Vietnam before one becomes ranked highly, he or she must be highly educated. An educated person gets ranked highly in the status quo. Sequential versus synchronic (Do we tend to do things one at a time or a number of things at once.) Vietnams being a collectivist community, they do a number of things at once. This is because they participate in the activities as a whole community. Internal versus external control (Do we control the environment or does the environment control us.) The Vietnamese control their environment and take full charge of the activities around them (Shapiro 2002, p.14). The communities also work with nature, this in term of the agricultural activities they undertake. Bibliography Karnow, S, 2000, Vietnam: The History, New York, Viking Press. LaBorde, P, 2010, Vietnamese Cultural Profile, ethno med, 10-14. Pham, D, 2005, Understanding Vietnamese Culture. Vietnamese Culture, 10. Shapiro, M. E, 2002, Vietnam, Asian Culture Brief, 10-14. Read More