Viet Nam News by Mary Pecaut I first set foot in Việt Nam in 2014. As a US citizen embarrassed by my country’s policies during and following the American-Việt Nam War, I was uncertain about the welcome that awaited me. Because I spoke French and had family members living in Toronto, I prepared to answer that certain-to-be-asked question: Where are you from? By replying, Canada. I was pleasantly surprised to find that US citizens are very welcome in Việt Nam and that there was no need to hide my identity. Upon arrival, I started my quest to understand my new home country and her people. Usually when I arrive in a newly assigned country, I dive into the local culture through food, art and language. I soon discovered that the best window into Vietnamese culture was by understanding a unique Vietnamese national holiday. Tết Nguyên Đán, otherwise known as Tết, is the most important and popular holiday in Việt Nam. The word … [Read more...] about Can a holiday explain a national identity?
National identity
Ninh Binh opens national culture, sports, tourism festival
A dancing performance at the opening ceremony of the National Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival - Ninh Binh on October 28 (Photo: VNA) Ninh Binh (VNA) – A national culture, sports and tourism festival opened in Ninh Binh city, the northern province of Ninh Binh, on October 28. In his opening speech, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien said the event is part of activities to celebrate 1,050 years since the foundation of Dai Co Viet, the first centralised feudal state of Vietnam. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh defeated 12 warlords to become king. He named the country Dai Co Viet (Great Viet) and set up the capital in Hoa Lu, which is now Ninh Binh. More than a millennium has passed, but the cultural and historical values of the former capital remain, he added. Thien noted the festival aims to popularise the cultural, sports and tourism potential of the province and improve authorities and the public’s awareness of the need to develop an advanced Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Ninh Binh opens national culture, sports, tourism festival
PM directs building of modern culture imbued with national identities
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the event (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 21 directed the building of a modern culture imbued with national identities, thus creating a driving force for socio-economic development. He made the statement during a televised conference in Hanoi to review the “All people stay united to build cultural life for the 2000-2018 period” campaign. The PM described the campaign as a major policy towards constructing a well-rounded lifestyle for its people, fostering solidarity, and driving back social evils. He added that it has been welcomed by the people of all walks of life over the past 18 years with many good examples and deeds being honoured. Admitting that some shortcomings still occurred in the process, he said coordination among units concerned remains limited, while personnel for the effort is yet to meet demand and quality of cultural activities in regions and areas has … [Read more...] about PM directs building of modern culture imbued with national identities
Uruguay, an example of the integration of different peoples and identities
Viet Nam News Raul Silveira, Charge d’Affaires of the Uruguayan Embassy in Hà Nội, sends a message to celebrate the Independence of Uruguay and its friendship with Việt Nam. On August 25, 1825 the Oriental Republic of Uruguay declared its subordination to the Portuguese Empire null. The inhabitants of the nation then called Banda Oriental, proud and free, reaffirmed that day that their feelings of independence would put an end to decades of bloody battles. Other violent episodes later on came to find the people united and independent from foreign powers. The gaucho, owner of his destiny and resistant to adversity, is a symbol of that freedom. Five years later, on July 18, 1830, the process of Independence was completed with our first Constitution, a document tailored to the currents of thought that flooded the Americas of that time. By the year 1830 we had our independence and Constitution. However, the cultural characteristics that make Uruguay unique today … [Read more...] about Uruguay, an example of the integration of different peoples and identities
First national conference on cultural heritage preservation held in Hanoi
First national conference on cultural heritage preservation held in HanoiThe Saigon Times Daily Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the conference - PHOTO: VNA HCMC - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held the first National Conference on Protecting and Promoting Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development in Hanoi on July 27, the Vietnam News Agency reports. The conference was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Michael Croft, researchers and experts. Addressing the event, PM Phuc said heritage sites are treasures from previous generations. “We cannot destroy, damage or sacrifice heritage for anything, even growth. Losing heritage means losing national identity,” he said. Protecting and promoting the value of heritage is not only the responsibility of the Government but the entire society as well. While the State creates legal frameworks and policies, the community plays a key role in maintaining … [Read more...] about First national conference on cultural heritage preservation held in Hanoi
World Cup can bring fractured nations together: Study
Football fans will cheer on their teams at the World Cup finals in Russia later this month but researchers suggest the passions involved can be put to good use even off the pitch. A photograph taken on May 30, 2018 shows the FIFA World Cup 2018 flag in front of the Kremlin in Moscow. The FIFA World Cup 2018 tournament kicks off on June 14, 2018. (Photo: Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) The emotional effects of victory and even qualification for a major tournament may help strengthen national identity in countries where it is lacking, they argued. The study, published last month by the National Bureau of Economic Research, suggested a feel-good factor from big-match wins can improve trust between ethnic groups and cut unrest. "The effect is sizeable and robust and is not explained by generic euphoria or optimism. Crucially, national victories do not only affect attitudes but also reduce violence," it added. Ruben Durante, a political economist at the Paris Institute of Political Studies … [Read more...] about World Cup can bring fractured nations together: Study
Hanoi has three more national intangible cultural heritages
Boi Dam festival (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it has added three cultural heritages of Hanoi to the national intangible cultural heritage list. They are Boi Dam (boat racing) Festival in Tay Tuu ward, Bac Tu Liem district, Truong Lam communal house festival in Viet Hung ward, Long Bien district and Tan Vien Mountain God worshipping in Ba Vi district. The ministry has also added 17 other intangible cultural heritages of Bac Kan, Can Tho, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Son La, Thai Nguyen and Vinh Phuc to the list. Statistics of the Department of Cultural Heritage show that the national list now has 248 cultural intangible heritages. According to Circular 04/2010/TT-BVHTTDL, intangible cultural heritage to be added to the list of national intangible cultural heritages must meet criteria representing community-based and locally-based identity, reflecting cultural diversity and people’s creativeness, being passed through … [Read more...] about Hanoi has three more national intangible cultural heritages
Honour Tet national solidarity
VietNamNet Bridge – Banh chung (glutinous square cake) and Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts have been delivered to houses of poor ethnic people living in the northern province of Lai Chau and the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.This is part of a programme organised at the Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Son Tay Town, Hanoi yesterday.Ethnic people and soldiers in Son Tay Town recently made 2,000 cakes and prepared gifts to help the needy, ethnic people and disaster victims.Pham Van Quyen, the vice-director of the village’s management board, said it was a meaningful way of helping poor people and express the solidarity between ethnic groups of the nation. It was also a chance to promote the image of the village and the fine traditions of the country.A village ceremony to erect a neu pole, a New Year tree with decorations used to ward off evil spirits, was organised, marking the start of the Year of Dog. This tradition shows respect to protective … [Read more...] about Honour Tet national solidarity
Program to feature cultural identities of ethnic minority groups
The program will feature the participation of over 100 people from 11 different ethnic minority groups, including Tay, Dao, Mong, Thai, Muong, Kho Mu, Ta Oi, Co Tu, Raglai, E De and Khmer. They come from ten provinces and cities around the country including Thai Nguyen, Hanoi, Ha Giang, Son La, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Thua Thien – Hue, Ninh Thuan, Dak Lak and Soc Trang.Traditional festivals will be reproduced, helping visitors know more about the cultural identities and activities to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) festival of ethnic minority groups.The highlight of the program will be a performance from Then singing (a traditional art form of Tay ethnic minority group) and introduction of folk games of Tay people such as stick pushing, swinging and bamboo pole dance.In addition, a special event introducing visitors to the meticulous tea making process with the ingenuity of the tea makers is expected to become an attractive activity.Preparation and decoration of the living spaces of … [Read more...] about Program to feature cultural identities of ethnic minority groups
Ha Giang province promotes Mong ethnic cultural identity preservation
Over the past years, the northeastern mountainous province of Ha Giang has proposed solutions to preserve and promote specific traditional cultural values of the Mong ethnic minority group, contributing to building the province imbued with national identities. The preservation and promotion of cultural identities of the Mong ethnic group was concretised in action plans. In 2013, Ha Giang provincial Party Committee promulgated Action Program 62 - CTr/TU on developing ethnic culture association with tourism promotion on the stone plateau in the 2013-2020; Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee issued Plan 132/KH - UBND dated July 26th, 2013 on the implementation of Action Program 62 to guide different levels, agencies and sectors to promote tourism in association with the preservation of ethnic culture and promotion of Mong ethnic cultural identities; restore architectural work imbued with Mong ethnic culture such as Mong King's house, old streets in Dong Van district. In … [Read more...] about Ha Giang province promotes Mong ethnic cultural identity preservation