The religion of Taoism is believed to originate in China from a man named Lao Tzu who lived around 500 B.C. The legend says that Lao Tzu was so “saddened by his people’s disinclination to cultivate the natural goodness he advocated” he then decided to leave civilisation. Before he leaving he left a brief work called Tao Te Ching, meaning The classic of the way and its power) describing the meaning of Tao (the way) and how a person should live according to Tao. The book influences the readers ‘to take no action contrary to nature’ and to ‘live in harmony with the Tao’

In the first century AD, Lao Tzu progressively became deified, this then improved followers chance of immortality through worship, complex rituals, good deeds and meditation. The communication with spirits developed.

In Vietnam, Taoism is the linking mechanism for Buddhism, Confucianism, Ancestor worship and Animism (the attribution of a living soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena). 

Images of the gods of Taoism are in temples and pagodas within the country.

 

A shaman is a religious specialist and acts as an intermediary between the human kind and the spirit world, similar to a priests role. They have the ability to communicate with spirits, to convince them to dispel evil and explain what spirits have instructed. 

There are multiple elements of Shamanism in Taoism. Some shamanistic practices include killing demons using charms and incantations (a series of words used as a magic spell), awakening/summoning spirits and holding ritual offerings.

Shamanism is mostly found in the traditions of the country’s ethnic smaller groups which contain a shaman within each village. Activities like these are labelled as a superstition and are in fact illegal. The law is largely ignored and traditions are carried on with and annual festivals are held, for example in the Central Highlands sacrifice a buffalo to the spirits.

 Buddhism in Vietnam

Buddhism originated in what is currently southern Nepal around 530 B.C. Its founder was Gautama, who was born into a royal family. At a young age he realised that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness so he researched and discovered the different teachings, religions and philosophies to find the key of lasting human happiness. After years of studying and meditation he discovered ‘the middle path’ and gained enlightenment. The title Buddha means ‘the awakened one’. After enlightenment, the buddha spent his life teaching lasting happiness from his own experience until his death at age 80. His teachings are called ‘the Dharma’ and later became known as Buddhism.

This graph represents the estimated proportions of the Vietnamese population meeting the WHO recommendation of achieving at least 600 MET-minutes of activity per week (low), at least 600 MET-minutes but not 3000 MET-minutes per week (moderate), or at least 3000 MET-minutes per week (high level of activity).

A list of team sports played in Vietnam

·       Football

·       Australian Rules Football

·       Cricket

·       Rugby Union

·       Badminton

·       Tennis

·       Running

·       Chess

Traditional Sports in Vietnam 

·       Soccer – Soccer is the most popular sport played in Vietnam. Kids play this game on the street and in parks and organized matches are provided through schools and youth clubs.

·       Martial Arts – it’s a popular sport throughout Asia and is competed through clubs and associations. Judo, karate and taekwondo are particularly popular among Vietnamese youths. 

·        Wrestling – Vietnams traditional style of wrestling is called Dau Vat is a popular sport played throughout the country. Participants are mainly adults and can compete in major tournaments.

·       Racket sports – tennis, table tennis and badminton are all popular in Vietnam. Children are taught these sports within schools particularly in urban areas.

·       Swimming – swimming takes pace in inner city pools or rural lakes and rivers and is a common sport children participate in. The Vietnamese Government and UNCIEF are encouraging kids to take place in this sport in Vietnam.