CULTURAL CHANGES

Culturally speaking, Viet Nam today stands at a crossroads.

Our country has been at peace for for almost four decades. Ever since the postwar Renovation
eriod in !!!!!!!, Vietnamese culture has undergone many ad"ustments to the new age. #owever,
certain core values are still present in every aspect of people$s lives.
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- )he common pattern for the domestic unit is to have two or three generations living together in
one home. *n urban settings, the household might only include two generations, while some homes
in the countryside have up to five generations.
- )he general custom is for the eldest son to inherit the parental home and the largest portion of the
family property, particularly land. .ounger sons will often inherit some land or other items, such as
gold.
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- )he most important ritual event in Vietnamese society is the celebration of the 0unar New .ear
1often in 'id-2ebruary3 when family members gather to welcome the coming of the new year.
- )he first and fifteenth of every month in the twelve month lunar year are also important occasions
on which we show respect to our ancestors.
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- Vietnam6s cities still carry the architectural traces of the many phases of its history. ,fter the war
against 2rance, Viet Nam received an impressive legacy of colonial architecture, particularly in
#anoi, #ue, and #o Chi 'inh, three biggest cities in Viet Nam
- Nowadays, city residents often congregate to sit and rela7 in parks, cafes, or on the street side at
all hours of the day. )he busiest locations during the day, however, are the markets where people
buy fresh meat, produce, and other essentials.
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,. 0*)ER,)+RE9 Ever since the late %:;<s, Vietnamese literature has e7perienced a revitali=ation
with the publication of numerous works that present war, and revolution, and social changes. )he
works of several authors such as 5ao Ninh, &uong )hu #uong, and Nguyen #uy )hiep have
attracted audiences from all over the world.
5. ER2OR'*N> ,R)(9 )he main genres in performing arts include classical opera, reform
theater, and hat cheo, a rural folk tradition. Over the past two decades, the popularity of these
traditional art forms has declined considerably, giving way to contemporary popular pusic.