This article seeks to decode the core features of Vietnamese culture, not only through a traditional lens but also from a renewed perspective. It analyzes the essential attributes embedded in the keyword “VĂN HÓA VIỆT” (Vietnamese Culture), with each letter representing a cultural pillar:
Vitality & Nature Harmony; Authenticity & Adaptability; Nationhood & Togetherness; Humanism; Optimism; Aesthetic Values; Valuing Family; Ingenuity; Empathy & Matriarchy; Tradition & Unity in Diversity.
VĂN – The Roots of Identity, Strength, and Cohesion
(1) V – Vitality & Harmony with Nature
Vietnamese culture was built upon the foundation of wet-rice agriculture, where communities settled primarily in river deltas and along coastal plains. From this environment emerged two defining traits of the Vietnamese people: extraordinary vitality and a profound sense of harmony with nature.
The vitality of the Vietnamese is most clearly reflected in their capacity to adapt and survive amid natural adversities such as floods, storms, or droughts. Rather than yielding to hardship, they engineered vast networks of dikes and irrigation canals. These were not merely hydraulic works but enduring symbols of ingenuity and collective creativity.
Equally important is the philosophy of harmony with nature, deeply ingrained in everyday life. This is evident in folk wisdom such as the saying “First water, second fertilizer, third diligence, fourth seeds”, which reveals an intimate understanding of natural laws and in folk beliefs like worshipping the Rice Mother, praying for rain, or venerating the Four Deities of Cloud, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning. Such rituals and festivals reflect both spiritual gratitude and a balanced, sustainable way of life.
From its agrarian roots, Vietnamese culture thus forged a distinctive identity, blending resilience in the face of hardship with a philosophy of coexistence and respect for the natural world.
(2) A – Authenticity & Adaptability
Vietnamese culture is also distinguished by two essential traits: authenticity and adaptability. These qualities have enabled it to endure and thrive through centuries of upheaval.
Its authenticity lies in its deep connection to daily life. Far from being abstract, it is expressed through manners, speech, family traditions, and village customs - values that are simple yet profound, forming a cultural character both grounded and genuine.
Equally remarkable is its adaptability. Vietnamese culture has historically embraced and “localized” great world civilizations. Whether Confucianism, Buddhism, or Christianity, foreign ideas were not adopted wholesale but reshaped to suit local customs. In Catholic households, for example, ancestor worship remains solemnly observed. In Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara was reimagined as the compassionate and familiar “Lady Buddha.” This flexibility has allowed Vietnamese culture to enrich itself while safeguarding its own vitality and identity against outside influences.
In this way, the Vietnamese have preserved their culture: selectively absorbing what is foreign, transforming it into something distinctly their own, and in turn broadening the wealth of the national heritage.
(3) N – Nationhood & Togetherness
Vietnamese culture has been forged through millennia of resistance against foreign invasions, cultivating two deeply rooted qualities: a strong sense of nationhood and an enduring spirit of community.
The sense of nationhood originates from ancestral legends such as the story of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ. This myth not only explains the origins of the Vietnamese people but also conveys the idea of being “đồng bào” (children of the same womb), which became the spiritual foundation of national unity. Patriotism, passed down through generations, has been reinforced by tales of national heroes, as well as proverbs and folk verses that celebrate love for the homeland.
The spirit of togetherness is most evident in the traditional social structure of “individual – family – village – nation.” Villages, where the proverb “the king’s law yields to village custom” (phép vua thua lệ làng) prevailed, functioned as autonomous communities. Yet, villages and the nation were inherently intertwined, nurturing the value of “tình làng nghĩa nước” (kinship of village and nation). Folk sayings such as “better a near neighbor than a distant relative” (bán anh em xa, mua láng giềng gần) or “within the four seas, all men are brothers” (tứ hải giai huynh đệ) embody this deep communal bond, reflecting mutual support in protecting and building the country.
The fusion of national consciousness and communal solidarity created a powerful internal force that enabled the Vietnamese to overcome every trial of history.
HÓA – The Transformation and Manifestation of Core Values
(4) H – Humanism
Humanism stands as one of the core values of Vietnamese culture which is transformed from philosophy into tangible social practices. It is not merely an abstract ideal but a guiding principle for interpersonal and community relations.
The spirit of compassion is vividly reflected in the maxims “the healthy leaf covers the torn one” (lá lành đùm lá rách) and “love others as you love yourself” (thương người như thể thương thân). These are not only folk sayings but also moral imperatives that inspire people to act with kindness and empathy.
Respect for the elderly, affection for children, and readiness to support those in hardship are concrete expressions of this profound humanism. They foster a compassionate society in which every individual feels a sense of belonging and responsibility toward others.
This transformation from thought into action has made humanism a defining characteristic of Vietnamese culture, serving as a vital bond that strengthens social cohesion.
(5) O – Optimism
Optimism is a defining feature of Vietnamese culture, clearly reflected in the way the people confront hardship. Despite enduring millennia of natural disasters and foreign invasions, this spirit has not waned but instead grown more resilient.
Vietnamese people possess the ability to find joy in the simplest things, often expressed through their wit and humor in folk songs and proverbs. For example, when facing poverty, sayings such as “The world always balances itself: a good wife may come with a poor husband” (Thế gian được vợ hỏng chồng) or “Rice without vegetables is like illness without medicine” (Cơm không rau như đau không thuốc) embody not despair but a hopeful outlook and an easy acceptance of life’s challenges.
This optimism serves as an “invisible resource,” enabling the Vietnamese to rise above adversity, transform difficulties into motivation, and move forward toward a brighter future.
(6) A – Aesthetic Values
Vietnamese culture embodies unique aesthetic values, vividly expressed through its cultural creations. These values are not limited to outward beauty but also reflect a refined philosophy of balance and harmony.
From the intricate motifs on Đông Sơn bronze drums which are symbols of the wet-rice civilization to the graceful simplicity of communal house and pagoda architecture, Vietnamese aesthetics reveal both artistic ingenuity and philosophical depth. They also come alive in the poetic quality of folk songs, the lyrical back-and-forth of call-and-response singing, and the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional handicrafts.
These expressions illustrate the Vietnamese people’s refined sense of beauty that goes beyond appearance to embody profound meaning. It reflects a worldview in which beauty is harmony: between human beings and nature, and between material and spiritual life.
VIỆT – Distinctive Characteristics of Vietnamese Culture
(7) V – Valuing Family
Vietnamese culture places family at its very core, regarding it as the solid foundation of society. This emphasis is vividly expressed through traditional customs and rituals.
Ancestor worship, commemoration ceremonies, and the practice of tending to ancestral graves all reflect the deep reverence the Vietnamese hold for their origins and for those who came before them. These are not merely acts of remembrance but also a means of maintaining intergenerational bonds. Moreover, the concept of family in Vietnamese culture extends beyond blood relations to encompass the entire nation.
The legend of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ established a shared memory of origin, embodied in the term “đồng bào” (“children of the same womb”), affirming that the Vietnamese people are one great family, bound by common bloodlines and a collective responsibility to build the nation together.
(8) I – Ingenuity
Ingenuity is a hallmark of Vietnamese culture, expressed through the people’s skillfulness and creativity in everyday life. From the crafting of exquisite items such as the iconic conical hat or the graceful ao dai, to the creation of a rich and diverse culinary tradition, the Vietnamese consistently demonstrate their ability to transform simple materials and resources into unique cultural treasures.
This creativity is not only aesthetic but also practical, reflecting adaptability and problem-solving. The nón lá, for instance, serves not only as protection against sun and rain but also as a powerful cultural symbol. Similarly, regional dishes made from humble local ingredients showcase both inventiveness and a deep connection to the land.
Through this ingenuity, Vietnamese culture has carved out a distinctive identity, enriching the nation’s cultural heritage with its blend of elegance, practicality, and symbolic depth.
(9) E – Empathy & Matriarchy
Vietnamese culture is distinguished by its deep empathy and its particular reverence for matriarchal values, fostering a compassionate society that honors the role of women.
Empathy is reflected in the Vietnamese capacity to share in the joys and sorrows of others, encapsulated in the saying “love others as you love yourself” (thương người như thể thương thân). This mindset has laid a strong spiritual foundation for solidarity and mutual support within the community.
Alongside this, Vietnamese culture elevates the role of women, most visibly in the Mother Goddess worship tradition, which venerates divine female figures such as the Thánh Mẫu, Quốc Mẫu, and local Mother Goddesses. History also honors heroines like the Trưng Sisters and Lady Triệu, celebrated for their contributions to the nation’s independence. Proverbs such as “the gong of a woman outweighs a man’s command” (lệnh ông không bằng cồng bà) and “with husband and wife in harmony, they can empty even the Eastern Sea” (thuận vợ thuận chồng tát bể Đông cũng cạn) further affirm the essential status of women within both family and society.
These qualities reflect a balance between tradition and progress, shaping a humanistic, egalitarian, and empathetic society.
(10) T – Tradition & Unity in Diversity
Vietnamese culture is a vibrant mosaic woven from the traditions of 54 ethnic groups. While each group has its own customs, practices, and languages, all share a common sense of origin and patriotism, forming a powerful unity in diversity.
This diversity does not fragment identity; rather, it enriches the nation’s cultural tapestry. The graceful Xòe dance of the Thái, the Lồng Tồng Festival of the Tày, and the Kate Festival of the Chăm are but a few blossoms in the “garden of Vietnamese culture.” Together, they interweave and complement one another, creating a distinct, dynamic, and captivating cultural identity.
Unity in diversity has become one of Vietnam’s strengths on the global stage. It demonstrates not only the country’s ability to integrate but also its spirit of respect, openness, and cultural richness. Preserving tradition while celebrating diversity forms the foundation for Vietnam’s continued growth and international reach.
Conclusion
Vietnamese culture, as analyzed through the lens of “VĂN HÓA VIỆT” with its ten defining elements, emerges as a distinctive and enduring value system. Rooted in the wet-rice agricultural tradition, the Vietnamese have cultivated both a resilient vitality and a philosophy of harmony with nature. Authenticity and adaptability have enabled Vietnamese culture to embrace the wisdom of humanity while preserving its unique identity.
The sense of nationhood and community spirit have forged an internal strength, exemplified in values such as “tình làng nghĩa nước” (the bond between village and nation). These values have been transformed into humanism, optimism, and refined aesthetic sensibilities. At the same time, Vietnamese culture honors family, elevates women’s roles, and embodies profound empathy.
Most importantly, unity in diversity woven from the traditions of 54 ethnic groups has enriched Vietnam’s cultural identity and become one of its greatest strengths on the international stage. This forms a solid foundation for safeguarding traditions, leveraging cultural assets, and confidently engaging with the world.
(Excerpted from the book “Vietnam: Aspiration to Rise” by journalist Vuong Xuan Nguyen)
