Vietnam Cultural Essentials

Vietnam prides itself on its unique heritage and strong survival instinct; after centuries of invasion and influence by the Chinese, French, and Japanese, Vietnamese culture is anything but simple. The country’s history of struggle against imperialism and desire for independence has created a culture unique from that of its Southeast Asian neighbors—the nuances can be hard for visitors to grasp. Tourist cafes whisk most travelers around on sputtering minibuses, providing spoon-fed doses of “authentic” local practice. A truer taste of contemporary Vietnam hides in alleyway eateries, bia h£i stalls, and amid the plastic furniture of street-side cafes.

Land

For a country with so much waterfront real estate—over 3250km of coastline—Vietnam is surprisingly hilly: roughly 80% of the country is composed of hills and mountains. In the northwest, the Hoàng ...more

Demographics

Ethnic Vietnamese, or Kinh, make up roughly 90% of the country’s 84.4 million people; the remaining population is split between 53 minority groups. Often called Montagnards or hill tribes, these ...more

Language

Vietnamese is the only official language of Vietnam and is spoken by the great majority (around 90%) of the population; those who don’t speak it are largely ethnic minorities in the rural highlands ...more

Religion

Religion in Vietnam is a confusing affair. It tends to be a rough amalgamation of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, with a sprinkling of animism, astrology, and local superstition thrown in for good ...more

Flora And Fauna

Despite Vietnam’s impressive biodiversity and natural wealth, plants and animals get both positive and negative attention. The smuggling of coveted exotic plants is only one of the many issues facing ...more

History

Vietnam’s history is largely one of foreign domination interspersed with brief periods of national independence. The nation’s 54 ethnic groups speak to the complexity of Vietnam’s cultural makeup ...more

Vietnam Today

Known to most as simply Vietnam, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a Communist state, seasoned with a delightful splash of French civil law. The current president, Tr<n c L™£ng, was ...more

Culture

No matter where you are traveling, common sense begs that you be polite, considerate, and patient. But in Vietnam this is especially important, and even a simple smile goes a long way. In a country where ...more

Additional Resources

Hell In a Very Small Place: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu, by Bernard Fall (Da Capo Press, 2002). A compelling account of the famous battle, based on thousands of interviews and declassified government ...more