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The culture of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Văn hoá Việt Nam, chữ Hán: 文化越南) are the customs and traditions of the Kinh people and the other ethnic groups of Vietnam. Vietnam is part of Southeast Asia and the Sinosphere due to the influence of Chinese culture on Vietnamese culture.
Although according to a 1999 census most Vietnamese list themselves as having no religious affiliation, [7] religion, as defined by shared beliefs and practices, remains an integral part of Vietnamese life, [8] dictating the social behaviours and spiritual practices of Vietnamese individuals in Vietnam and abroad.
Vietnamese folk religion (Vietnamese: tín ngưỡng dân gian Việt Nam) or Đạo Lương (道良) is a group of spiritual beliefs and practices adhered by the Vietnamese people. About 86% of the population in Vietnam are reported irreligious , [ 1 ] but are associated with this tradition.
As a result, the people became studious, respected teachers, and valued their culture. These factors collectively contributed to Vietnam being a country with a civilization predating many others in the region. [3] Confucianism also played a role in fortifying social order and fostering neighborly relationships. [4]
During the Vietnam War, the US backed a Catholic named Ngô Đình Diệm for his leadership of South Vietnam. The US assumed that Diem would protect freedom of religion in South Vietnam, due to his deep faith, but instead he used his power to suppress Buddhism (which was the majority religion of South Vietnam) and promote Catholicism. [8]
Likewise, modern Vietnamese Buddhist practice can be very eclectic, including elements from Thiền (Chan Buddhism), Thiên Thai, and Tịnh độ (Pure Land). [6] Vietnamese Buddhist are often separated not by sects but by the style in how they perform and recite texts, which monks of different regions of Vietnam are known for.
There have been 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam as officially recognized by the Vietnamese government since 2 March 1979. [1] [2] Each ethnicity has their own unique language, traditions, and culture.
The primary social issues in Vietnam are rural and child poverty. Vietnam scores 37.6 in the Gini coefficient index of wealth inequality, with the top 10% accounting for 30.2% of the nation's income and the bottom 10% receiving 3.2%. In 2008, 14% of the population lived below the national poverty line of US$1.15 per day. [1]