MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – VNU HCMC

🙞🕮🙜

ASSIGNMENT
ON
VIETNAMESE HISTORY AND
CULTURE

Topic: Southwest Vietnamese cultures

Student’s full name: Lê Phan Bảo Như

Student’s ID: ENENIU21131
Class: BABA21AU11
Lecturer: Võ Văn Sen
Group: 2
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.........................................................

CONTENT.....................................................................

I. FLOATING MARKETING....................................................

 Cai Rang of Floating Marketing - The sign of Can Tho...................

II. “BÀ BA” SHIRT......................................................................

 The history of the Ba Ba shirt.............................................................

 The meaning of Ba Ba Shirt...............................................................

III. SOUTHERN FOLK SONG (ĐỜN CA TÀI TỬ)..............

CONCLUSION............................................................

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 INTRODUCTION
The southwest of Vietnam has long been known as a land of verdant,
fertile, preferential tropical nature, and attractive gardens. The
combination of 13 provinces and cities to form a huge delta area of
40,000 square meters kilometers with nature and man provides visitors
with a sense of familiarity and deep connection.
The Cuu Long Delta, also known as the West or Mekong Delta, is
located in southern Vietnam. The West is 40,548.2 km2 in size, with 12
provinces and one central city. Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Ben
Tre, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh, An Giang, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang,
Kien Giang, Ca Mau, and Can Tho City are the names of these cities.
Before the 17th century, this area was densely forested, with a variety of
fierce animals. Some people-built houses on trees to protect themselves
from dangerous animals. They subsisted primarily on hunting and
gathering. Following that, people from Central Vietnam and China
arrived to exploit virgin ground. This area is becoming increasingly
clear. The Mekong Delta has been founded with a wide variety of
habitats, formed by the agriculturally productive alluvium of the Mekong
River with two main watercourses of Tiền River (Front River) and Hậu
River (Behind River), the intricate canal system, green forests, the sea,
and islands.
The Mekong Delta has a hot climate with a significant amount of rainfall
all year. The average annual temperature is 24-27 degrees Celsius, with a
temperature range of 2-3 degrees Celsius throughout the entire year. The
difference in temperature between daylight and night is negligible. The
weather is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season, which runs
from May to October, and the dry season, which runs from December to
April the following year.

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Characters unique to the West can be found nowhere else. The interlace
river system is the primary control point for all West landscapes. Two
water coconut lines run along the banks of a river. Water coconut trees
develop into groves. The leaves rise and bend, and when there is a
breeze, they wave up and down gracefully. There are ban trees among
the water coconut lines. The ban roots, like bamboo spikes, tickle the
ground. When the wind blows, the gentle branches sway. Coconut
gardens can be found among the rivers and canals. The coconut tree's
trunk grows straight, and the coconut leaves form layers. When the wind
blows, the leaves incline beautifully along the wind. Coconut trees form
lines as they mature. The distance between the two trees is
approximately eight meters, and the leaves provided shade over a wide
area. There are fruit tree gardens as well as coconut gardens. Rambutan,
mangosteen, durian, mango, orange, and mandarin are examples of fruit
trees. There are endless paddy fields in addition to coconut gardens and
fruit tree gardens. There are areas with dense mangrove forests. Birds,
bees, turtles, snakes, and fish can all be found here.
Besides, we are discussing Western people. Kinh, Hoa, Khmer, and
Cham are the main ethnic groups in this region. Kinh people make up the
majority, with the rest concentrated in Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Soc Cham
provinces; Cham people live primarily in An Giang province; and Khmer
people are concentrated in Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and An Giang province.
Gentle rivers, sweet and honest fruit trees, green and fresh paddy fields,
and rivers full of shrimp and fish shape the people of the West into
honest, generous, and helpful individuals. Most Westerners are honest,
live in paddy fields all year, and rarely argue with one another. They live
agreeably and rarely make requests. They usually come in handy when
things get tough. They are especially warm and welcoming.
Westerners are well-known for their generosity, charity, and sincerity.
This is due to the peace and cooperation of the ethnic groups Kinh, Hoa,
Cham, and Khmer. Each race of people has its own set of traditions,

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practices, and religion. However, Westerners continue to live together in
harmony, respecting each other's beliefs and customs.
The floating markets in Vietnam's Mekong Delta have been around for
over a century, but their origins and operation stay a source of
contention. It is the gathering of hundreds of thousands of large and
small boats from all over the world to buy and sell agricultural products,
fruits, goods, and food, forming a river community economy. The
floating markets are now a captivating aspect of local culture and one of
the Mekong Delta's most thrilling experiences.
“Áo bà ba” is a famous costume of Westerners. The shirt has a round
neck, and the body is a modification of “áo tứ thân" from the north, but
the length only reaches the hips. Those who dress in this costume
typically wear accessories such as bandanas and conical hats. Khmer
people believe that wearing this scarf on the head is identical to always
having a god to protect and bring good fortune.
When we return to the West, we will be delighted. “Nghệ thuật đờn ca
tài tử” (an amateur music art) is one of the Western people's spirit meals.
This art is performed by amateur musicians and singers. They play for
pleasure in their spare time or on special occasions such as birthdays,
weddings, or death anniversaries. Players are not required to wear those
very expensive styles of dress. The performing area is frequently in a
pleasant lounge room or a front yard beside an orchard, with the sound of
wind and the aroma of fruit. Playing space can be a boat floating down a
river.
When considering the Southwest of Vietnam, we must not overlook the
special food of this river and water region. Perhaps the reason is that the
Southwest is a place with an extremely rich source of ingredients it has
long established a cuisine with unique dishes that are widely known to
both domestic and international tourists. Unique ingredients and simple
recipes highlight the flavors of the dishes. These factors, combined with
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festive features, have created a unique beauty that attracts people to the
region. These are salted fish and "bông súng" (a type of tree with a soft
trunk that lives in water), Anabas cooked with brine in a large bowl, tiny
shrimp cooked with brine and coconut essence, snakehead grilled in
straw, mouse toasted in a pan, sour soup with chopstick pairing flower,
duck soup, paper cake, sticky rice alcohol, bee honey, and sugar-can
juice, and so on.

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 CONTENT
I. FLOATING MARKETING
The unique beauty of floating markets in the Southwest Vietnam region
draws many tourists, with two of them in Can Tho province and the
others in Tien Giang, Hau Giang, and An Giang province. Small boats

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use the rivers for trading and accommodation. A floating market is a
place where residents trade goods and services, not just a tourist
attraction. Remarkably, the boats lack a brand sign. People recognize the
boats by their shape, colors, and the products they sell. There are
numerous boats from many neighboring provinces. Just look at both
sides of the boat to see the short name of the boat's original province.
 Cai Rang of Floating Marketing - The sign of Can Tho
In Vietnam, there is the famous Cai Rang Floating Market, which is only
three hour's drive from Ho Chi Minh City in Tien Giang province, and
the Nga Bay Floating Market, which is located at the meeting point of
the seven canals and rivers in Nga Bay, as well as Nga Nam and Can
Tho. Cai Rang, one of the more widely known marketplaces, is located
on the banks of the massive Tien River, one of the Mekong's headwaters
that has existed since the 18th century. For many, Cai Rang is an
amazing adventure. Unlike other floating markets in Vietnam, which
open earlier, Cai Rang's size and scale allow it to stay open later,
attracting visitors who might otherwise be turned off by early mornings
while retaining all its charisma and liveliness. The market serves as a
wholesale center for goods and services, fruits, and seafood from the
Mekong Delta to the rest of Vietnam.
Because these areas are generally inaccessible to larger boats, they are
extremely special and extraordinary to see. Can Tho also provides
visitors with the gloomy experience of visiting the Can Tho Grand
prison, which played a significant role during the French and Vietnam
Wars. The cocoa farm enables individuals to discover the fruit and see
how its beans and pulp are transformed into body butter, chocolate, and
even alcohol.
The main products purchased are agricultural goods and specialties from
Cai Rang Town, Chau Thanh District, and nearby areas. Every boat has a
long upright pole at the bow where samples of the goods for sale are
hung. During the early morning market hours, larger boats support and
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create lanes for smaller boats to weave in and out of. The waterway
converts into a maze of hundreds of boats carrying mango, bananas,
papaya, pineapple, and even smuggled goods like cigarettes. Vendors are
not required to call out for their goods because they can be observed
from afar and their shouts would be lost in the vast expanse of the river
and the loudness of boat engines. Small boats selling beer, wine, and soft
drinks circulate among the other boats, serving marketgoers and visitors.
Nga Bay floating market (also known as Phung Hiep) is located just
under an hour by car from Cai Rang and offers visitors eye-catching
treats of a slightly different variety. Nga Bay first opened in 1915 and
has since been a crucially important trading center for the people of Nga
Bay town. This is one of the most common floating markets for everyone
interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture. The area is well-
known for its one-of-a-kind Coconut "Factory," which is located in one
of Vietnam's largest coconut processing areas and produces everything
from coconut candy to coconut butter and milk.
The Cai Be floating market is in Cai Be District, and travelers might
experience long stretches of cater transporting goods, vegetables, and
other products. Cai Be is a common choice for tourists who lack the time
to travel further south because of its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City and
the fact that it opens as late as Cai Rang.
While Nga Nam market, which is one of the furthest souths of the
Mekong, is not disappointed by its neighbors. Located in Nga Nam
province, at the crossroads of Ca Mau, Vinh Quoi, Long My, Thanh Tri,
and Phung Hiep. Nga Nam market is famous for its thriving atmosphere.
The region is well-known for its cabbage, potato, tomato, and garlic, but
it also offers specialty products such as signature varieties of rice and
tropical fruits, as well as an abundant supply of seafood. This truly
illustrates the Mekong Delta's huge variety of resources and diversity.
Meals are commonly sold by residents, just as they are in regular western
markets. The area serves delightful fish noodles, rice, soup, and freshly
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ground and brewed coffee - the Mekong Delta cuisine has its distinct
flavor.

II. “BÀ BA” SHIRT

Ao Ba Ba (also known as the Ba Ba Shirt) is a traditional Vietnamese
article of clothing that has been worn by Southern women for centuries.
The appearance of a Ba Ba shirt reminds people of the pure and homely
charm of Vietnamese Women in rural areas.
 The history of the Ba Ba shirt
Learn about the history of the Ba Ba shirt, which originated with the Ba
Ba cultural group in Malaysia. Son Nam wrote in his book "Civilization
of Gardening" (1970): "The relationship between Cai Mon and Malaysia
carried countless varieties of new trees: mangosteen, bonbon, rambutan.
Poulo Penang, where Truong Vinh Ky lived overseas, where a Ba Ba
group of people created sugar cane agricultural production fields, Ba Ba
is a Malaysian of Chinese descent.
In ancient times, farmers in the Mekong Delta often wore black baits to
the fields because they were simple to wash. Sewing materials include
single fabrics, pungent fabrics, linoleum, and others that dry instantly
after washing. Besides that, the Ba Ba shirt is divided into sides to make
the person wearing feel more comfortable, and there are two large
pockets near the hem that are particularly convenient for holding
personal objects such as drugs, matches, and money. Because of its ease
and comfort, both men and women in the Mekong Delta wear it to work,
the market, and play. They commonly select light colors, such as white
and ash gray, when going out. As well as the girls, the women, favor the
color youthful, pale blue with more expensive clothes such as silk and so
on.
These days, with several developments in design and pattern, the Ba Ba
shirt has become an enchanting and feminine elegance in women. Rather

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than white satin, or classical fabrics, the modern lady's dress is made of
silk and chiffon flower petals. Not as widely recognized as the other
symbols, such as ao dai, the “Ba Ba shirt” also represents a "spirit" that
has made the beloved, gentle, and delicate appearance of Vietnamese
people for many centuries.
 The meaning of Ba Ba Shirt
Throughout the two wars of defending our country, the portrait of a
powerful, faithful, and supportive Southern woman is represented with
the Ba Ba Shirt. The scarf, conical hat, and lady's skirt followed the
mothers, and the sisters attacked in the uprisings and initiate. Besides,
“Ba Ba's shirt, shoulder-mounted gun left in the early morning, green
hair blended with sweet incense, smooth face, gorgeous floral shape,
stunning love, faithful lipstick to keep the nation," musician Hoang Tho
wrote. Bulls still moved up under the green rice bomb, day by day,
across the village, capturing the accomplishment of killing the illustrious
enemy. "How lovely is my daughter's youth in the countryside, where
people would write magnificent epic pieces of music?" (Mekong Delta
Girls). So many lilac and indigo, brown capes, soaked in the blood and
sweat of the southern leading ladies, the women who fought and were
willing to sacrifice for the Fatherland. Mothers and daughters in the Ba
Ba shirt are still gorgeous, shimmering, and shining forever, weaving the
nation's stunning history.
Having been going through many ups and downs, the rustic charm of the
Southwest woman is still immortal and enchanting Today, amongst all
the bustle of everyday life, Ba Ba's shirt still preserves inside it the
woman's delicate, caring beauty and elegant grace. The lady's shirt
fluttered in the green coconut palms, the lady's coat smelled of cooking
smoke, the lady's shirt was in the center of the crowded market, or the
young daughter in her father's shirt was sailing in the river, her clothes
were flapping. Fly over the river bridges. Ba Ba shirt waved through the
fields of the season, thriving, feasting in cultural events, shimmering
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gracefully on the lunar river, and full of magnificent, enchanting people.
Individuals all over everything fall in love with the rustic and elegant
charm of the lady's shirt and miss the girl wearing it. Ba Ba's shirt, a
scarf with an inclined leaf hat, still reflects the river's people.

III. SOUTHERN FOLK SONG (ĐỜN CA TÀI TỬ)

Southern Folk Song (also known as Đờn Ca Tài Tử) is a type of art
including both academic and folk origins that flourished in Southern
Vietnam in the late 19th century. Don Ca Tai Tu is believed to represent
the lifestyle of people in the south who live and work on the Mekong
Delta region's land and rivers. The music genre empowers residents to
express all their feelings and emotions, as well as their work and effort,
gratitude, and courage, resulting in it becoming widely known to both
foreign and domestic tourists.
Don Ca Tai Tu, a traditional Vietnamese folk song, has been greatly
influenced by other varieties of cultural heritage from Vietnam's central
and southern regions, such as ceremonial music (Nhac Le), classical
theater, and folk song (Hat Boi). Based on 20 primary songs (Bai To)
and 72 classical songs (Bai Nhac Co), each Don Ca Tai Tu song
encompasses a skeletal piece of music that forms the basis for
musicality, adornments, and variation of the skeletal melody of pieces as
well as the main rhythm patterns. The instruments used in each Don Ca
Tai Tu performance are easily recognizable. The moon-shaped lute
(kim), two-stringed fiddle (co), 16-stringed zither (tranh), pear-shaped
lute (ty ba), percussion (song lang), monochord (bau), and bamboo flute
are one of them (sao). In addition, the violin and guitar are also played in
the performance. The guitar used by Don Ca Tai Tu performers has a
deep, hollowed-out fingerboard, enabling musicians to perform special
Don Ca Tai Tu ornamentation.
Artists conducting in a Don Ca Tai Tu performance typically are
including (1) master instrumentalists (thay don), who already are

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extremely skilled at playing and instructing a broad range of instruments
and have perfected the complete classical repertoire; (2) master lyricists
(thay tuong), who are knowledgeable and experienced at composing new
track texts; and (3) master singers (thay ca), who have grasped the
classical repertoire and can undertake the distinctive Don Ca Tai Tu
vocal technique. Each Don Ca Tai Tu show also features standard
instrumentalists (danh cam) and singers (danh ca).
Don Ca Tai Tu is popular among inheritable classical music
communities, as well as music ensembles and clubs. When practicing,
making comments, or developing new song texts, the tourists, Don Ca
Tai Tu's audience, are undeniably fascinating.
For a long period, Don Ca Tai Tu has been carried from generation to
generation which uses two techniques:
1. The basic principle of oral transmission is truyen ngon, truyen
khau, which means "transferring through the fingers and the
mouth". For this standard approach, master instrumentalists and
vocalists straightforwardly instruct students who are members of
ensembles, clubs, or communities.
2. The second approach combines the traditional oral transmission
methods with a curriculum in many both national and provincial art
and cultural schools. To learn basic acoustic techniques such as
tremolo, glissando, trills, and vibrato, musicians must analyze for at
least three years. They learn to perform solo or in groups such as
duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and sextets. Traditional songs are
studied by vocal students who perform solo or in a duet. They learn
to improvise subtly using various ornamentation techniques in a
way that is consistent with the musical aesthetics of the musical
community and appropriate for the melody, mode, and song text
performed.
Every person in Southern Vietnam might not deny that Don Ca Tai Tu's
folk song has played a crucial and significant role in spiritual community
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traditions such as festivals, death anniversary rituals, and celebratory
social events such as weddings and birthdays, among others.
Don Ca Tai Tu is inferred from the diverse cultural customs of Vietnam's
central and southern regions. It is constantly regarded as a crucial
characteristic in the social and cultural lifestyles of the Vietnamese
people, and it has become a cultural heritage value by combining the
influences of court music and popular music. Cultural exchanges with
Chinese, Khmer, and Western populations have also influenced this
category of art music.
Don Ca Tai Tu performances contribute to the community's preservation
of other cultural practices and customs associated with festivals, oral
culture, and handicrafts. Don Ca Tai Tu is now not only a community
cultural activity, but it also contributes to tourism development in the
surrounding area.
According to facts and figures from 2011, Don Ca Tai Tu was performed
in over 2,500 clubs, groups, and families across 21 provinces and cities
in Vietnam's southern region, including An Giang, Ba Ria Vung Tau,
Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Binh Dương, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Can
Tho, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, Kien Giang,
Long An, Ninh Thuan, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, and
Vinh Long.
Don Ca Tai Tu was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity on December 5, 2013, at the 8th session of the
Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible
Cultural Heritage in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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 CONCLUSION
A part of the cultural identity is the culture of the Southwest.  The
communities of the delta are bound together by this force, which
represents the justification, the emotional, the soul, and the strength. For
more than three centuries, these societies have continued to work to live
in harmony and flourish together. The Southwest society as a whole and
community and family civilization have been under the influence so that
they have been transformed both in the positive and negative trends
during the process of national remodeling and globalization, despite the
involvement and consistency of diverse ethnic areas.
Three main factors, including domestic cultural traditions, cultural
assimilation, and the natural and social background of the Southwest, can
be identified as the major contributors to the culture of the region
(Mekong River Delta). The character traits of the river delta (river
culture, garden culture), the adjustment of other factors, and the cultural
contributions of the Cham, Khmer, and Chinese to the Vietnamese
culture in the area come together to create a coordinate system that
creates two fundamental cultural features of the Southwest region
(cultural fusion or mixed culture). The river, in fact, exists in the ethnic
communities of the North and Central Delta, but only in the Mekong
Delta has it emerged as a dominant feature, profoundly influencing both
the life and other local cultures of the communities. Even so, these two
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factors are the two outstanding features of the culture of the Southwest
region in terms of degree. The cultural integration of various ethnic
groups also exists in the delta cultural regions of the North and the
Central regions, but only in the Mekong River Delta could these ethnic
minorities find common ground in a certain proximity to the Vietnamese
residents' culture that it becomes both accustomed and unconventional to
the Vietnamese who originally proclaim from the North and the Central
regions.

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