https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture For a deeper understanding and new perception of an Eastern country's culture en-us 2016-09-18 08:39:53 UTC 2025-10-16 15:05:15 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Shakinghands.png trucvan_phanhuynh https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture/wish/124550656 1.Crazy and chaotic traffic with motorbikes everywhere
Our main transportation is motorbikes.Since Viet Nam is a densely populated country with more than 90 millions people, and the inhabitants will mainly live in big cities.Though we have traffic lights and signs, it seems impossible for all people to follow the rules properly.Especially for peak hour, the road grinds to a halt with lots of motorbikes moving in traffic jam.
2. Nón lá
This is actually our traditional symbol, which means leaf hat ( the picture below). Our country is an agricultural country, we were very poor so we had to make use of everything we had.This hat was created more than thousands years ago and it has been using until now. Mostly, women will use the hat when they go to the market.Sometimes they also use it as fans on hot days.
3. Street food
When talking about Viet Nam, street food is a must. Viet Nam has a rich cuisine with so many healthy street food.With the demand of having something healthy like snack besides main meal and can takeaway, we came up with both hot street food ( photo below) and cool street food ( sweet dessert with ice).
4. Procrastinating habit
It is a bad thing that so many Vietnamese people are procrastinators since they usually come up late for 5- 10 minutes because they think it is normal and acceptable to come late like that.
5. Hospitalities
Vietnamese people are usually friendly and hospitable at the same time. Everybody is willing to help other people in a nicest way, even if they do not know the answer.They will be eager to ask their acquaintances or friends to help others looking for the information.]]> 2016-09-18 08:44:44 UTC https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture/wish/124550656 trucvan_phanhuynh https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture/wish/124551282 1.Give seats to the elderly and children on the bus.
In our culture, it is a norm that we stand up and give seats for the elderly,children and pregnant women on the bus since they are our first priority target groups in the public.
2.Bow to greet when meeting older people
For us, bowing to greet is a way to show our respect to older people and it is compulsory in any situations.For many people, bowing while meeting older people means i definitely have received a good education from my family.
3.Give presents to teachers on many special events through out the school year
It might be weird in some cultures but in my cultures, I give presents to my teachers as a way to say thank you for the time they taught me.Usually it is considered that teachers are ones who will help me to the destination of knowledge and being grateful for what they have done so far for me is feasible.
4"Words must be weighed, not counted"
Vietnamese people really pay attention to small details, especially in etiquette and manner. Before I say something, I have to observe the situation and think carefully before I talk and i have to make sure i use the right words to discuss.If not, it may make other people upset or irritating.
5.Going to university seems to be the best way to be successful
In Viet Nam, going to university requires lots of efforts and it is like another level compared to colleges ( for many people university is for students with higher score in University entrance exam and students with lower scores will go to colleges).And just only when studying engineer, doctor and business in university do I assure for the maintanance of my job and have a lot of money.]]> 2016-09-18 08:58:16 UTC https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture/wish/124551282 trucvan_phanhuynh https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture/wish/124553439 1. Spiritual world is existing parallel to our world
In my culture, I believe when people die, they will have 49 days remaining in this world with their family.The reason for this because they can finish something that they could not finish when they were alive and see their family the last time.
2. Family-oriented relationship
In most Asian countries, people pay more attention in maintaining strong connection between members,especially in their families.For Viet Nam, we value living and working together as a big community rather than individual ones.Every member of the family must know their roles, the younger ones have to obey and respect the elders.Whenever I decide to do something important, it is necessary to ask permission from my parents.And we usually live in an extended family rather than living alone.Moreover, maintaining the harmony in the family is really important.
3. Tattoos
Though tattoo is an art, many people consider it is not a good thing to do.The reason was a long time ago since many mafia in my country always showed up with tattoos on their shoulders.Thus, the Vietnamese believes people who have tattoos are bad people ( although this mindset is changing but partly still exists)
4. Remembering the root.
In my culture, we come up with many characteristics a person needs to have. One of it is always remembering your roots.It is explained that my home country is my motherland where my family and my friends, all relatives are living there. I could not have today without their help and their support.me.
5. Ideal roles
For women,especially for wife, she is expected to good at cooking, doing house chores, raising kids and obeying to her husband. Some old people think women do not need to study with high degree and be equal to men but a little bit lower in terms of education background.
For men, specifically for husband, he requires to be the head of family in terms of making decisions, maintaining good financial status and also should be good at fixing things up.
Although these two ideal roles are changing gradually in our society nowadays among young people.However, it has been still a big basic assumption so far in our culture.]]> 2016-09-18 09:41:18 UTC https://padlet.com/trucvan_phanhuynh/theiceberginourculture/wish/124553439