Question

Do you think Vietnam is a little China culturally?

Answer 1

Question: Do you think Vietnam is a little China culturally?

Answer: From the Vietnamese views, there are many Vietnamese will think that you are insulting them if you said Vietnam is a little China culturally.

Vietnam and China shared a lot of cultural similarities due to the common borders and also thousand of years of Vietnam being colonized brutally by China. There are more than once that the Chinese Empire had tried to erase all of the Vietnamese histories, culture, and identity, also imposed the Chinese language, costumes, customs, into Vietnam but the Vietnamese resisted strongly and resiliently. For example: During the fourth Chinese Ming occupation of Vietnam 1407–1428, the Chinese rulers had tried to destroy all of the Vietnamese cultures .

(Khai Dinh king's tomb, Hue - Royal Capital of Vietnam)

An entry in the Ming Shilu ( traditional Chinese : 明實錄; simplified Chinese : 明实录) dated 15 August 1406 recorded an imperial order from Emperor Yongle that instructed for Vietnamese records such as maps and registers to be saved and preserved by the Chinese army:

己未敕征討安南總兵官成國公朱能等曰師入安南下郡邑凡得文籍圖志皆勿毀。 [24]

In addition, according to Yueqiaoshu (Chinese: 越嶠書, Vietnamese: Việt kiệu thư), on August 21, 1406, the Yongle Emperor issued an order to Ming soldiers in Annam:

兵入。除釋道經板經文不燬。外一切書板文字以至俚俗童蒙所習。如上大人丘乙已之類。片紙隻字悉皆燬之。其境內中國 所立碑刻則存之。但是安南所立者悉壞之。一字不存。 [25] "Once our army enters Annam, except Buddhist and Taoist text; all books and notes, including folklore and children book, should be burnt. The stelae erected by China should be protected carefully, while those erected by Annam, should be completely annihilated. Do not spare even one character."

On the 21st day of the 5th lunar month of the following year, Emperor Yongle issued another order to Ming soldiers in Annam:

屢嘗諭爾凡安南所有一切書板文字。以至俚俗童蒙所習。如上大人丘乙已之類。片紙隻字及彼處自立碑刻。見者即便毀壞勿存 。今聞軍中所得文字不即令軍人焚毀。必檢視然後焚之。且軍人多不識字。若一一令其如此。必致傳遞遺失者多。爾今宜一如前敕。號令軍中但遇彼處所有一應文字即便焚毀。毋得存留。 [25] "I have repeatedly told you all to burnt all Annamese books, including folklore and children books and the local stelae should be destroyed immediately upon sight. Recently I heard our soldiers hesitated and read those books before burning them. Most soldiers do not know how to read, so it will be a waste of our time. Now you have to strictly obey my previous command, and burn all local books upon sight without hesitation.

The Chinese colonists encouraging the Ming Confucian ideology, bureaucratic and Classical Chinese study to the local Vietnamese people, forced the Vietnamese to wear Chinese-style clothes . [26] [8] The Ming forbid the local customs such as tattooing , unmarried boys and girls to cut short hair, and banned women to wear short skirts, in "order to change customs in conformity with the north." [27] [28] Cultural incorporation was pursued with the new Jiaozhi administration advising to the Ming court:

The Yi people of Annam venerate the law of the Buddha but do not know to worship or sacrifice the spirits. We should establish altars for sacrifice to the spirits of the wind, clouds, thunder, and rain... so that the people become familiar with the way to express gratitude to the spirits through sacrifice. [29]

(Vietnamese royal palace)

(the Bejing Royal Palace of China built by the Vietnamese architect- Nguyen An)

However, each time, the Vietnamese have tried not only to restore their own culture and identity but also to learn new things from their Chinese cultures which have consolidated the Vietnamese identity different much from the Chinese identity.

For instance: The Vietnamese language belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language but the Chinese language is one of the members of the Sino-Tibetan language family even though the Chinese empires had tried to impose their language into Vietnam and the Vietnamese language has many loanwords from China Especially after the Vietnamese have adopted and learned the western civilization, the Vietnamese culture is more and more different from the Chinese culture.

Another example: During the Chinese Qing Empire, all of the Chinese men had used the Manchu hairstyle as their national identity but Vietnam did not.

(Manchu Queue)

(The custom of foot-binding in China but it did not happen in Vietnam)

Vietnam has its habit to defeat superpowers from the Mongolian, Various Chinese Empires, Manchurian Qing Empire, French Empire, American Empire, the Chinese CCP Empire but China often failed to resist outside powers from Mongolia, Manchuria, Japan.

In conclusion : The Vietnamese identity is not a little Chinese identity culturally and there are many differences between Vietnam and China. Therefore, I would not say that Vietnam is a little China culturally.

Answer 2

Vietnam does have a bit of Chinese culture weaves into theirs. In fact, some pho dad or temples are made by the Chinese community dating back hundreds of years. Some Vietnamese do know how to speak Chinese and sometimes you won’t be able to tell the difference as they also physically look similar. It’s not exactly a “little China” but you will see similar traits, and practices.

Answer 3

Let me tell about some of China culture in Vietnam

Language

Food: Vietnamese cuisine has a part of Chinese cuisine. But it is only a small part. The biggest difference is that Chinese cuisine often uses soy sauce while Vietnamese uses fish sauce.

Buddhism: Buddhism has been introduced taught by monks in Vietnam from two roads. One from the India to Chinese, Japanese,… then Vietnam, the other is from India to Sri Lanka, Burmese, Cambodia,…then Vietnam. Bodhidharma, who lived during the 5th or 6th Century in India and introduced Siddhartha Gautama's thought into China. He is Zen master and regarded as its first Chinese patriarch. Many pagodas in Vietnam worship him as a Zen master.

Confucian thought…

We do not mention why there is an influence of Chinese culture in Vietnam because there are so many answers for this in VietnamAnswer

We just emphasize that, not only China but also others (Japanese, American, French, Khmer,…). That make a unique culture of Vietnam

American use English, Japanese use Kanji, Korean people have Mid-Autumn Festival,…China is a big country with a large population with long history development. Vietnam is nearby China, so the cultural influence is normal. If someone says Vietnamese culture does not have a small part of China, that is not normal, not true, lying.

CHINESE food in Vietnam

Answer 4

Momentarily, when the Qing dynasty was still in the process of trying to capture all of China, the Vietnamese did feel a bit like the surviving little China.

But soon after the conquest was over and the Manchus began to adopt Chinese customs, the Vietnamese went back being Vietnamese, an identity that again faced encroachment from the North.

Answer 5

Vietnam is different from China in many ways,including languages,largest ethnic group, traditional clothing and even food style. Yes, similar political structure borrowed from USSR, and yes thousands of loanwords from Chinese, but no reason to be called little China.

Additionally, Vietnam became a French colony in 1877, that make it more different from China.

Answer 6

Politically it seems that way as it is said that Vietnam copies almost the whole Chinese political system, especially Chinese economic policies.

Once I watched a Vietnamese TV channel, which I guess it must be like China’s CCTV, except the different language, the news program was totally Chinese style, National leader activities, local government leaders visiting ordinary people’s home, conversing with people who have difficulties, etc. And the clothing and appearance of those officials looked same to those of Chinese officials. Very impressive.

Answer 7

It is possible that ultranationalists in both countries will deny this.

In reality,however,the culture of Vietnam is very similar to that of China,especially South China.

A few simple examples: 1. Diet. Our staple food is rice and rice products,and in which a large number of vegetables.

2. Festivals. Spring Festival,Dragon Boat Festival,mid-autumn Festival... whether Chinese or Vietnamese people will celebrate. And we also worship the spirits of our ancestors and pay tribute to them on tomb sweeping day.

Other people have answered this question in great detail,and I don't need to tell you too much. But no matter how much extreme nationalists may deny it,the truth is that our cultures are similar.

Answer 8

No. They are a confucian culture, but not a Han culture. The history of Vietnem varies at many levels from China’s experience. Confucianism is 2500 years old and affected the ancient Yue kingdom that was conquered by the Han aggressors except for Vietnam. So despite China’s continuous attempt to conquer and occupy Vietnam they remain unique to themselves just as other Confucian cultures like Korea and Japan.

Answer 9

Yes or no

First, " Little China" was not invented by the Chinese, but Koreans, Japanese, and Vietnamese. The Little China was a product of a specific historical period.

Ancient China has an advanced culture, which has gradually become the international standard in East Asia. Most countries have absorbed Chinese language and Chinese culture, forming a common Confucian civilization circle. it has never been a civilization unique to China. The Japanese, Vietnamese, and Koreans have all made a lot of contributions to Chinese civilization.

But in the 13th century, the Mongols ruled China and established the Yuan Dynasty. This caused the image of ancient China Orthodox to collapse. The Japanese and Vietnamese who defeated the Mongols gained greater national pride. them believed that Chinese culture had been destroyed by the Mongols. They protected the traditions of Chinese culture and since then called themselves Little China. Today's Taiwan also believes that the CCP has destroyed traditional Chinese culture, and they have retained the traditional culture.

The Vietnamese used the idea of " ​​Little China" to establish their own tributary system in Southeast Asia and annexed Champa. The Japanese used the idea of "Little China" to explain their invasion of the Qing Dynasty. Today's Taiwanese are also pursuing the independence movement using the Little China ideology.

the Chinese culture is not so fragile, and neither the Mongols nor the CCP can destroy it, because China is too large, has too many populations, and has too long a history.

Some people support the idea of "Little China", believing that it can increase national pride. Some people oppose the idea of "Little China", believing that it undermines national pride. This complex idea also reflects the ambivalence of Chinese neighbors. They want to get rid of Chinese influence, but they cannot give up Chinese culture.

But these are thoughts left over from history, and they are no longer suitable for modern society.Because Western nationalism has spread to East Asia, people think it is more important to have an independent culture, and the idea of "Little China" has become a negative word. Vietnam and South Korea have completed their de-sinicization, Japan has also absorbed a lot of Western culture, and Taiwan is de-sinicizing.The Chinese have also accepted the influence of nationalism and are also pursuing the uniqueness of Chinese culture.

Answer 10

No. Both proud nations will say no (partly to be politically correct).

Vietnam too has a very long history, and detest being called a ‘little China’ , even though it is influenced politically & culturally, probably the most sinicized neighbor.

Chinese does not view Vietnam as a little China, but respect it as a separate old civilisation with which it has a long history, including a long period of being occupied or a tributary.

So please don’t say Vietnam is a little China, Viets (and Chinese) will not appreciate such condescension. It’s like saying Canada is a little USA or NZ is a little Australia or Ireland is a little UK or Nepal is a little India.

Vietnamese has shared or adopted much of Chinese culture over 2000 years, from written script, names, customs, lunar calendar, architecture, religions, Confucius or family values, etc. A Chinese visiting Vietnam and their homes would be amazed how similar they are. Culturally and economically, both are close, and if history had been kinder, they could have been closer politically today.

Longer answer with Pictures.

So who I wonder is asking such a question and why?

Now let us briefly look at various factors for China-Vietnam relationship:

Vietnam has a long history with China .

Certain ‘Yue’ tribes associated with modern day Vietnamese has a history way back during the Qin dynasty, and through most dynasties. The latest unpleasant episode would be Sino-Vietnam war during the Cold War period (as well as disputes over South China Sea). But overall relationship are good at political and economic levels today.

The true history of Vietnam proper as said by their own experts starts in Red delta, Tonkin (North Vietnam), and is separate from the tribes of South China. Old Vietnam was often occupied, a tributary or under strong influence of Chinese dynasties.

Possibly the most sinicized, it adopted most of the practices and knowledge of its bigger neighbor. From a highly contentious and intertwined history, Vietnam does not see itself as any ‘little China’ although its dynasties and culture were modelled or similar.

Qing held France off for some time, but gradually lost its influence to the French. After the Vietnamese defeated the French and the Americans, Vietnam has been fiercely independent and the strongest militarily in ASEAN.

Politically?

They are quite similar with a strong central communist party government running a capitalist economy with socialist characteristics. Both are slowly but surely they have to resolve and be closer.

General Giap settled the borders with China after the last war; Vietnam was one of first to support China in the Tiananmen crackdown; and has supported China in most international agendas. For the future of China-Viet relationship, I hope for better friendship but the SCS dispute may remain highly sensitive for decades. Whilst ASEAN is a positive moderating factor, Vietnam may be tempted to play the USA card.

Physically ?

Forever neighbors; linked by a long land border; with bridges, roads and soon, a high speed rail. Three major crossings, but there are many border towns like below, where I heard people just walk over for shopping.

People - similar traits as most Southern Chinese and other minority tribes, and sometimes hard to differentiate. Various ‘yue’ tribes and also Vietnamese has mingled with Chinese blood for a long time. Viets are Austroasiatic with some Tai, with 51 ethnic groups but the main ethnic Kinh (86%) do have a percentage of Chinese blood.

Economically? Vietnam is in AIIB, China-ASEAN partnership, One Belt, and also has free trade agreements with China. They are doing well as economic partners, and cross border trade is booming.

Culturally?

Rather close, and similar in many ways, although they do have their own language and culture, they are considered as sinicized - customs, beliefs, cuisines, literature, written script, etc. Today, I understand Viets watch a lot of Chinese dramas, except they are dubbed. Many things are similar, because they are neighbors for so long.

Diplomatically, I will say Vietnam is a smaller cousin by culture. If they did not have so much problems from the last 3 to 4 decades, they could become allies. China and Vietnam are very close culturally, far closer or sinicised than even Korea and Japan. (with shared cultures with the other tribes, and a small dose of French).

Now the evidence?

So What About the Cultural Similarities?

Have a look at some pictures below, all Vietnamese, but you can see the similarities with Chinese culture.

Vietnamese food - noodles (and many cuisine and sauces, style of cooking, kitchen ware and chopsticks).

Vietnamese girl. Many look so similar.

Beliefs. Similarities in beliefs, religions, ancestor worship and temples.

Architecture. A palace/ fort that looks Chinese in design (Nguyen Dynasty).

Imperial Practice and Governance. Imperial Dress in Nyugen Dynasty

Clothing - Viet dress in Le dynasty.

Below is a great chart showing similarities across East Asia. Line 1 is Viet, Line 3 as reference is China.

A closer look at how Viet clothes evolve, over the centuries.

To the very sweet iconic clothes Ao Dai, which is more suitable for the tropical weather of Vietnam.

I share this because it says a lot; they even share the same age old inner garment design before the bra came with the French.

Finally, we do have differences.

The Vietnamese do enjoy French style coffee, an alien beverage Chinese has yet to appreciate.

Vietnamese do love their local as well as foreign cigarettes, but Chinese prefer their own hundred brands. But they are the same culturally, in that they smoke too much.

https://baobinhduong.vn/en/ancient-costumes-of-vietnam-a81908.html