Running head: A GLIMPSE INTO THE VIETNAMESE CULTURE
A Glimpse into the Vietnamese Culture
Molloy College
Mariya Levenets
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A GLIMPSE INTO THE VIETNAMESE CULTURE
Abstract
In the classroom, one can find students of different cultures. Each culture has its own traditions
and customs. The classroom might include students of an Asian background, one of which is
Vietnamese. In this paper, the author will discuss the Vietnamese in Ireland and the worship of
ancestors according to the article “Enshrining Vietnamese-Irish Lives,” by Mark Maguire and
Jamie Saris, as well as react to the authors’ main ideas.
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A Glimpse into the Vietnamese Culture
In any classroom, the teacher may come across students of different nationalities. Each
nationality has a unique culture and traditions. It is important for teachers to learn about the
student’s cultures to know the students better. One culture that a teacher might come across is the
Vietnamese. Referencing the article “Enshrining Vietnamese-Irish Lives” by Mark Maguire and
Jamie Saris, the author of this paper will discuss the Vietnamese in Ireland and their tradition of
ancestor worship. In addition, the author will provide a reaction to the authors’ main ideas made
in the article.
The article “Enshrining Vietnamese-Irish Lives,” by Mark Maguire and Jamie Saris
(2007), discusses the migration of Vietnamese to Ireland. In 1979 Vietnamese were allowed to
settle in Ireland. The authors found that the Vietnamese families tend to be large in size. In
addition, the authors stated that the society is male oriented and that education is valued.
One of the key aspects of the Vietnamese culture is the worship of ancestors. In each
home, there is an altar for their ancestors. The altar includes representations of demons, higher
beings and pictures of ancestors. On the altar, there may be a burned cigarette which represents a
recent anniversary of a death. There are four different levels in the altar. The level on the bottom
includes figures to minor higher beings who are related to children and lessons of life. The young
women wear an icon of these higher beings as charms on their necklaces. The next level has
photographs of ancestors’ supernatural beings, such as Buddha. Furthermore, the altar is an
integral part in their lives. The pictures displayed on the altar are not permanent, from time to
time old pictures are removed and photographs of new ancestors are placed on the altar.
Additionally, the Vietnamese people in Ireland view videos of their original home in Vietnam
and the traditions being practiced.
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When there is an event to celebrate such as someone’s birthday, the Vietnamese lay out a
table of food and pay respect to their ancestors. Upon someone’s death, the family of the dead
relative commune on the date of the passing of the relative. The ancestors’ altar is cleaned and
decorated before the anniversary. When the anniversary of the ancestor comes, a ceremony is
held, during which incense is lit and food is made, and the ancestor is invited to have meal. For
example, an interviewee stated that there is a personal prayer on the anniversary of the dead
relative, then pictures of the relative are displayed and food is made as well. Those celebrating
eat some of the food and leave some for the dead relatives. If anyone at the celebration drinks or
smokes, then that has to be left for the dead relative as well. All of these rituals are performed as
if the relative is still alive. However, some Vietnamese fear that these rituals will not be practiced
by the following generations. The common theme of the Vietnamese culture is family. The
pictures and awards of the current family members displayed in the home act as a shrine too.
Since the ancestors are very important to the Vietnamese people, they are never forgotten.
After reading Maguire and Jamie Saris (2007) article, I learned much about the
Vietnamese culture. The authors provided a thorough summary of the Vietnamese people,
especially the worship of ancestors. Although I wish the author would have included some
taboos and stereotypes of the Vietnamese people. I thought it was interesting that the Vietnamese
people have an altar for their ancestors. This shows the respect that they have for their relatives
and they never forget about them and that family of great importance to the Vietnamese. I can
relate to this because in my culture family is very important too. It also reveals that the
Vietnamese culture is more of a collectivistic culture than the American culture, which is
individualistic. This characteristic of the culture reminds me much of the Italian culture, where
much emphasis is placed on the family. Young women wear the icons of the deities as charms on
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their necklaces and wear these icons on necklaces to protect them. Even though this is a little bit
different in the Vietnamese culture, I can relate to this because I wear a cross which also gives
me a sense of protection. In addition, I am curious as whether the young men wear a similar
necklace with a charm of a higher being as the young women wear. I am interested to know
whether the Vietnamese wear an accessory to remember their ancestors. Moreover, the
Vietnamese still continue the old tradition with the male having authority in the society. This
would be a big concern for me if I had a Vietnamese student in my classroom because I would
fear that he or she might not take a female teacher seriously.
The alter itself, with its several levels, was of interest to me, especially that a part of the
altar has figures to higher beings that are related to children. I can relate to the Vietnamese
custom of cooking food and having a big celebration on special occasions. I would have like to
know if there are any particular dishes that are required to be made for the celebration, as well as
if the head of the household starts off the prayer and if a particular prayer is said during the
ceremony. I was surprised to learn how much preparation goes into celebrating an anniversary of
an ancestor. At first the altar is cleaned and then decorated. This clearly shows that this tradition
is very important to the Vietnamese people. However, I would have wanted to know if there is
anything particular that the Vietnamese use to decorate the altar, besides displaying the pictures
of the ancestors. Moreover, I found it unusual on the anniversary of the dead family member,
that he or she is invited to celebrate which is a custom not practiced in my culture. Additionally,
I would have appreciated if the authors provided an explanation of what the family does with the
deceased relative’s food after the celebration is over.
After reading about the Vietnamese culture and traditions, I am eager to learn more about
this country, especially about other traditions. I would appreciate witnessing an actual altar in a
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Vietnamese home, and seeing the Vietnamese practice the anniversary of their ancestors.
Furthermore, I identify that there is a fear that the recent generations will not continue to practice
the traditions of their people, something in which I take pride. I think it is important to practice
traditions of one’s culture, and to not forget about one’s roots. As a future educator, I am
comforted to know that my Vietnamese students may likely value education.
The United States includes a diverse population of people who have their own culture and
traditions. In order to know the students better, it is necessary for the teacher to learn about their
cultures. Maguire and Saris provide thorough summary of the Vietnamese people in Ireland. The
authors particularly provide a detailed description of the ancestor worship of the Vietnamese in
which they discuss the details of preparation and celebrating the anniversary of the ancestor’s
death.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE VIETNAMESE CULTURE
References
Maguire, M., & Saris, Jamie. (2007). Enshrining Vietnamese-Irish lives. Anthropology Today,
23(2), 9-12. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih
&AN=24596298&site=ehost-live
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Brigham Young University & ProQuest Information and Learning Company. (2007). Asia and
Oceania. Provo, UT: ProQuest Information and Learning Co.
Cookman, Claude. (2007). An American atrocity: the my lai massacre concretized in a
victim’s face. Journal of American History, 94(1), 154-162. Retrieved from http://search.
ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=25498521&site=ehost-live
Enhrentraut, S. (2011). Perpetually temporary: citizenship and ethnic Vietnamese in Cambodia.
Ethnic and Racial Studies, 34(5), 779-798. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/
login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=59877112&site=ehost-live
Maguire, M., & Saris, Jamie. (2007). Enshrining Vietnamese-Irish lives. Anthropology Today,
23(2), 9-12. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih
&AN=24596298&site=ehost-live
Juan, Karin Aguilar–San. (2009). Little saigon’s : staying Vietnamese in America. Retrieved
from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/molloy/docDetail.action?docID=10353992
Vietnam. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2012, from http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_busi
ness_student_details.php?Id=7&CID=223
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As in every culture there are some taboos in Vietnamese culture. One of the taboos is to
someone’s head because this is the person’s spiritual point. As well, it’s inappropriate to
“summon a person with an index finger.” In place of this, it is suggested to wave four fingers
with the palm of the hand down. In addition, it is suggested to not use many hand gestures,
communicating verbally is better (Culture Gram). Hands on hips or arms crossed are also not
appropriate because this can be thought as a threat or wrath (“Vietnam”).
The Vietnamese have also encountered prejudice. In the 1970s the Vietnamese in
Cambodia were not allowed citizenship as well as were removed from their place of residence.
Additionally, about 200,000 out of 450,000 Vietnamese were murdered. Many Vietnamese were
forced to move to South Vietnam. As well, 150,000 ethnic Vietnamese were forced to migrate to
Vietnam. The Vietnamese people have faced injustices. During the Vietnam War many innocent
children, women, and children were killed. However, many innocent children and women were
killed during the My Lai incident, where the United States thought the communists resided. The
United States soldiers raped women and teenagers and then killed the victims (Cookman, 2007).
One of the stereotypes and negative images that some have is that the Vietnamese are ‘gooks’ as
dirty people and the lowest in society. They can be stereotyped as people who live in an Indian
country in Asia (Juan, 2009).
As every culture have taboos and negatives aspects as the Vietnamese people. After reading all
the taboos of the Vietnamese people I was surprised that something so simple can be interpreted
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as inappropriate or threatening toward the Vietnamese. I think it is terrible of all the injustices
and prejudices the Vietnamese people have had to face. It is important for people to learn about
other cultures to rid of the biases and stereotypes that people hold. As a future educator, it is my
responsibility to educate the students about other cultures.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE VIETNAMESE CULTURE
References
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