Religion and Belief
  The major religious traditions in Vietnam are Buddhism (which fuses forms of Taoism and Confusianism), Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Islam, Caodaism and the Hoa Hao sect
  Buddhism
         
       Buddhism was first introduced to Vietnam in the 2nd century, and reached its peak in the Ly dynasty (11th century). It was then regarded as the official religion dominating court affairs. Buddhism was preached broadly among the population and it enjoyed a profound influence on people's daily life. Its influence also left marks in various areas of traditional literature and architecture. As such, many pagodas and temples were built during this time.
  At the end of the 14th century, Buddhism began to show signs of decline. The ideological influence of Buddhism, however, remained very strong in social and cultural life. Presenty, over 70 percent of the population of Vietnam are either Buddhist or strongly influenced by Buddhist practices
  Catholicism
         
       Catholicism was introduced to Vietnam in the 17th century. At present the most densely-populated Catholic areas are Bui Chu-Phat Diem in the northern province of Ninh Binh and Ho Nai-Bien Hoa in DongNaiProvince to the South. About 10 percent of the population are considered Catholic
 
 
  Protestantism
         
       Protestantism was introduced to Vietnam at about the same time as Catholicism. Protestantism, however, remains an obscure religion. At present most Protestants live in the Central Highlands. There still remains a Protestant church on Hang   Da Street in Hanoi. The number of Protestants living in Vietnam is estimated at 400,000.
  Islam
  Islamic followers in Vietnam are primarily from the Cham ethnic minority group living in the central part of the central coast. The number of Islamic followers in Vietnam totals about 50,000.
  Caodaism
         
       Caodaism was first introduced to the country in 1926. Settlements of the Cao Dai followers in South   Vietnam are located near the Church in Tay Ninh. The number of followers of this sect is estimated at 2 million.
  Hoa Hao Sect
  The Hoa Hao Sect was first introduced to Vietnam in 1939. More than 1 million Vietnamese are followers of this sect. Most of them live in the south-west of Vietnam.
  Mother Worship (Tho Mau)
         
       Researchers describe the Vietnamese mother-worship cult as a primitive religion. Mother, Me in the Vietnamese language, is pronounced Mau in Sino-*script. The mother worship cult might be originated from the cult of the Goddess in ancient ages. In the Middle Ages, the Mother was worshipped in temples and palaces. Due to the fact that it is a worshipping custom and not a religion, the Mother worshipping cult has not been organised as Buddhism and Catholicism have. As a result, the different affiliations of the cult have yet to be consistent and different places still have different customs.
  The custom of Mother worship originated from the north. In the south, the religion has integrated the local goddesses such as Thien Y A Na (Hue) and Linh Son (Tay Ninh).
  In fact, the Mother worship cult was influenced by other religions, mainly Taois.
http://www.howtotravelvietnam.net/English/Religion

Vietnames summary history
 PREHISTORIC ERA

 Paleolithic Age

  Human life started in Vietnam a very long time ago. As a matter of fact, archaeologists have found vestiges of Homo Erectis, or ape-man, in caves in the provinces of Lang Son and Nghe An. In the Pre-Paleolithic age (between 10,000 to 23,000 years ago), also known as the Son Vi era, the population was rather large and widespread. People living at that time, referred to as Homo Sapiens, were more civilized and used trimmed pebbles as tools. During the Hoa Binh-Bac Son era (between 6,000 to 10,000 years ago), people used trimmed stone tools and axes, made pottery and cultivated fields.
  Neolithic Age

  During this period, groups of people with different cultural attributes formed. People at that time used sophisticatedly trimmed stone axes, produced skilful stone rings and nicely designed pottery goods.
 Bronze Age

  The Bronze Age community was able to produce bronze tools, arms and jewellery. They could harvest crops and raise several kinds of cattle such as buffaloes, oxen and pigs. There were three different cultural groups during that period: the Pre-Dong Son living in the Red river, Delta area, the Ma River and the Ca River; the Pre-Sa Huynh in the southern area of Central Vietnam; and the third one living in the DongNaiRiver. The Pre-Dong Son group existed at the same time than the early Hung Vuong Dynasty era.
  Iron Age

  Subgroups of the Pre-Dong Son culture were unified in the northern area of Central Vietnam and became the Dong Son culture. This group belonged to the early Iron Age since several iron-made tools were produced during this period. Also, its unique culture was characterized by sophisticated products, which included beautifully designed bronze drums.
  The formation of Vietnam
 Van Lang - Au Lac Nations

  During the Dong Son period, only a state had formed. The unified culture, prevailing in regions comprised between the Sino-Vietnamese border and the northern bank of the GianhRiver, madit clear that a nation of the ancient Viet people existed. The Van Lang Nation was then ruled by the Hung Kings.
  Later, An Duong Vuong founded the Au Lac nation in the third century B.C. Records of this nation can be found in the annals written by Chinese historian, Xi Ma Tian. Remains of the Co Loa Citadel, which was built during the An Duong Vuong period, can still be seen today.
 Champa Nation

  In South Central Vietnam, the Pre-Sa Huynh culture evolved during the Iron Age. Back then, people were buried in tombs which contained many tools made of iron together with jewellery made of agate and jasper. People of this group lived between Thua Thien and the DongNaiRiver’s Delta. The Sa Huynh culture was founded by the ancestors of the Cham, who founded the ChampaKingdom.
 Chinese Domination Period (111 BC - 936 AD)

  Au Lac was conquered by Zhao Juo (Trieu Da), the King of Nan Yue (Nam Viet) in 207 B.C. and Nan Yue was then conquered by the Han Empire. As a result, Au Lac was dominated by Han instead in 111 B.C. and was divided into districts. Since that time, Vietnam stayed under Chinese cultural hegemony for 11 centuries. During this period, a series of rebellions were organized to gain independence. However, the rebellions generally lasted a short time. The most famous acts of resistance against the Chinese during this period were the rebellion of the Trung Sisters - Hai Ba Trung (40 - 43 A.D.), of Ba Trieu (248). At the middle of the 6th century, Ly Bi gained independence, set up Van Xuan country but it existed for a very short time. During the domination of the Sui (Tuy) and Tang (Duong) Empires, there were rebellions of Mai Thuc Loan (722), of Phung Hung (766 - 791)… and at last, with the glorious victory over the Nam Han in 938 in the BachDangRiver, Ngo Quyen rebellions ended more than 1,000 years of Chinese domination and the independence of the country resumed.
  Stage of independence
  A new page in Vietnamese history was turned in the beginning of the 10th century with Ngo Quyen rebellions’ glorious victory over the Nam Han invaders in BachDangRiver. Ngo Quyen then set up an independent state, strived to consolidate the country, maintain unification and protect the independence. After his death in 965, the country was under the 12-army group disorder. In 968, the appearance of the first dynasty marked a very important point in The History of Vietnam.
 Dinh Dynasty (968 - 980)

  Country’s name: Dai Co Viet
  Capital: Hoa Lu
   In 968, after quelling the 12-army group disorder, Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne, alias Dinh Tien Hoang, and established the First Independent Dynasty in Vietnam. The country was named Dai Co Viet (The Great Viet), the capital was built in Hoa Lu (NinhBinhProvince).
  Dinh Tien Hoang was poisoned in 979. His second sun became the King at the age of six. In 980, faced with the situation of being invaded (by Chinese invaders), the Royal Court elevated General Le Hoan to the throne to lead the Nation against Chinese invaders.
  The Dinh Dynasty lasted in 13 years with 2 reigns.
 Early Le Dynasty (980 - 1009)

  Country’s name: Dai Co Viet
  Capital: Hoa Lu
  Le Hoan, took the alias Le Dai Hanh, led the Vietnamese people gained a famous victory over the Chinese on BachDangRiver.
  After the victory, Le Hoan developed economy of country while in foreign affairs he did flexible but resolute foreign policies to defend the independence of the country.
  The Early Le Dynasty lasted for 30 years with 3 reigns.
 Ly Dynasty (1009 - 1225)

  Country’s name: Dai Co Viet, Dai Viet (from 1054)
  Capital: Hoa Lu (1009), Thang Long - Ascending Dragon (from 1010)
  At the end of 1009, at Hoa Lu Capital (Ninh Binh province), Ly Cong Uan ascended the throne, took the alias Ly Thai To, and established the Ly Dynasty.
  In 1010, he moved the capital to Dai La citadel (Hanoi at present) and renamed it Thang Long (Ascending Dragon). The king built a new capital that was circumscribed by three rivers: the Red River to the East, the To Lich river to the North and West, and the Kim Nguu river to the South.
  Under the Ly dynasty, the Kings of reorganized the administration system, set up the first nation’s university (Temple of Literature), agriculture developed as people were building dikes along Red River to control flood and ploughing virgin soils. Villages specializing in producing pottery, bronze or iron items were formed.
  A number of famous religious structures were built: the Dong Co temple was built on the bank of To Lich river (1028), the Dien Huu pagoda (known as One Pillar Pagoda) was built to the west of the Royal Enclosure (1049), the tower of Bao Thien pagoda (1057), and the Temple of Literature (1070). Buddhism prevailed and had a great impact on literature and arts, Confucianism started to develop.
  The two most outstanding personalities of the Ly Dynasty were General Ly Thuong Kiet and Queen Y Lan. General Ly Thuong Kiet (1019 - 1105), who came from Thai Hoa guild on the southern part of the WestLake, was the organizer and leader of a successful resistance to the Sung invaders of China (1075 - 1077). Queen Y Lan (? - 1177) was adept in national administration. She instated many policies designed to develop agriculture and the silk trade and strove to improve the living conditions of the people.
  The Ly Dynasty lasted for 217 years with 9 reigns.
 Tran Dynasty (1226 - 1400)

  Country’s name: Dai Viet, An Nam(from 1164)
  Capital: Thang Long, Tay Do (from 1396)
  After more than two centuries of rule, the Ly Dynasty went into decline and was replace by the Tran Dynasty, which restored political and social order.
  The Royal Capital remained within its former limits, but the population grew. In 1230, the Court reorganized the administrative units, and the civilian settlement area was divided into 61 guilds.
  Many foreign traders and residents came to the capital. Merchandise boats from China and other Southeastern Asian countries came to trade at Hoi Thong and Van DonPorts.
  Confucianism examinations were held regularly during the Tran Dynasty. The Nom script was used widely in literary works as the first documents on the country’s history were compiled.
  The country’s independence was maintained thanks to the resistance against the repeated assaults of the Mongolians led by the Tran Kings and General Tran Hung Dao in 1258, 1285 and 1288.
  The Tran Dynasty lasted for 175 years with 12 reigns.
 Ho Dynasty (1400 - 1407)

  Country’s name: Dai Ngu
  Capital: Tay Do
  Ho Quy Ly usurped the throne of the Tran Kings and established the Ho Dynasty in 1400. The Ho Dynasty carried out reforms to overcome the crisis, which began late in the Tran Dynasty.
  Ho Quy Ly set up a new capital in Thanh Hoa province, named Tay Do (capital in the west), and renamed Thang Long as Dong Do.
  He imposed policies to reduce feudal tenure and servants and issued paper notes instead of coins. However, his policies did not bring about many improvements. The people did not support him. Consequently, King Ho could not organize resistance against the Ming invasion and the country was conquered by the Ming Empire.
  The Ho Dynasty lasted for 8 years with 2 reigns.
 Late Tran Dynasty (1407 - 1413)

  The Ming invaders came to An Nam under the pretext of protecting Tran Dynasty to occupy the country. Tran’s descendants proclaimed emperors and lead people against Ming invaders to restore Tran Dynasty. Unfortunately, because of scattered man’s heart so late Tran Dynasty lasted for only 7 years with 2 Kings.
 Ming’s Domination (1414 - 1428)

  After occupying the country, Ming invaders set up policies and forced people following them to assimilate Vietnamese.
  In 1418, Le Loi, a local leader, led an uprising in Lam Son (Thanh Hoa province) to secure the independence spread over the country. The resistance lasted 10 years, after the victory in Dong Quan (Thang Long) in 1428, the last of the Ming troops left the country. Until this day, Le Loi is revered as country’s one of the greatest national heroes.
  Le Dynasty (1428 - 1527)

  Country’s name: Dai Viet
  Capital: Dong Do, Dong Kinh (1430 - 1466), Trung Do (from 1466)
  Following the victory of the Lam Son insurrection, the Le Dynasty established rule. On the 29th April 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne as Emperor Le Thai To. In 1430, he renamed Dong Do as Dong Kinh, and once again in 1466, he renamed it Trung Do.
  The capital was extended to the east. In the 15th century, agriculture, industry, and trade developed as society stabilized. The first law of Vietnam, Hong Duc law, was issued; it clearly described the perspective of Vietnam’s political, social, and economical status at that time.
  The Le Dynasty elevated Confucianism as the orthodox State religion and stressed the importance of civil service examinations. In 1487, stone tablets containing the names of Ph.D graduates began to be displayed at the Temple of Literature.
  The Le Dynasty retained its vigor for more than a hundred years until declining in the 16th century and nearly collapsed by the late 18th century.
  The Le Dynasty lasted for 100 years with 10 reigns.
  imposed policies to reduce feudal tenure and servants and issued paper notes instead of coins. However, his policies did not bring about many improvements. The people did not support him. Consequently, King Ho could not organize resistance against the Ming invasion and the country was conquered by the Ming Empire.
  The Ho Dynasty lasted for 8 years with 2 reigns.
 Late Tran Dynasty (1407 - 1413)

  The Ming invaders came to An Nam under the pretext of protecting Tran Dynasty to occupy the country. Tran’s descendants proclaimed emperors and lead people against Ming invaders to restore Tran Dynasty. Unfortunately, because of scattered man’s heart so late Tran Dynasty lasted for only 7 years with 2 Kings.
 Ming’s Domination (1414 - 1428)

  After occupying the country, Ming invaders set up policies and forced people following them to assimilate Vietnamese.
  In 1418, Le Loi, a local leader, led an uprising in Lam Son (Thanh Hoa province) to secure the independence spread over the country. The resistance lasted 10 years, after the victory in Dong Quan (Thang Long) in 1428, the last of the Ming troops left the country. Until this day, Le Loi is revered as country’s one of the greatest national heroes.
 Le Dynasty (1428 - 1527)

  Country’s name: Dai Viet
  Capital: Dong Do, Dong Kinh (1430 - 1466), Trung Do (from 1466)
  Following the victory of the Lam Son insurrection, the Le Dynasty established rule. On the 29th April 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne as Emperor Le Thai To. In 1430, he renamed Dong Do as Dong Kinh, and once again in 1466, he renamed it Trung Do.
  The capital was extended to the east. In the 15th century, agriculture, industry, and trade developed as society stabilized. The first law of Vietnam, Hong Duc law, was issued; it clearly described the perspective of Vietnam’s political, social, and economical status at that time.
  The Le Dynasty elevated Confucianism as the orthodox State religion and stressed the importance of civil service examinations. In 1487, stone tablets containing the names of Ph.D graduates began to be displayed at the Temple of Literature.
  The Le Dynasty retained its vigor for more than a hundred years until declining in the 16th century and nearly collapsed by the late 18th century.
  The Le Dynasty lasted for 100 years with 10 reigns.
 Mac Dynasty (1527 - 1592)

  Country’s name: An Nam
  Capital: Duong Kinh (Hai Duong province)
  The Confucian model of monarchy in Vietnam gave rise to two contradictions: one among the various factions of the ruling circle, and the other, between the autocratic state and the people. During the 16th century, the explosive development of these contradictions brought about the collapse of the Le Dynasty, which was replaced in 1527 by the Mac Dynasty. The new dynasty adjusted certain policies and, for an initial period, brought about greater social stability, buoyancy in trading and handicraft productions, and the restoration of Buddhism and Taoism. But the regime could not create the basic conditions for steady development of the society.
  The Mac Dynasty lasted for 66 years with 5 reigns.
 Late Le Court (1533 - 1789)

  Country’s name: An Nam
  Capital: Thang Long
  At the time under Mac Dynasty, opposition forces, relying on the influence of the monarchy and Confucian thought, appeared under the guise of restoring the Le Dynasty. In the 1533, these forces rallied in Thanh Hoa province, set up a puppet Le Court and launched a war that eventually drove the Mac Dynasty from the capital.
  The Late Dynasty lasted for 266 years with 16 reigns.
 Trinh Lords (1545 - 1786) in the North & Nguyen Lords (1558 - 1802) in the South

  From 1545, all the powers in the restored Le Court actually belonged to the Trinh family. The Trinh clan mobilized a resistance against Mac Dynasty and conquered the capital. Dong Kinh remained the capital but was renamed Thang Long - The Le King returned his position in the 1592, but Trinh Lords actually took power. This was the beginning of the “Le King - Trinh Lord” rule, which lasted until 1786.
  Meanwhile, in the South, Nguyen Lords extended Vietnam to the Mekong Delta and carried out a war against Trinh Lords, which lasted from 1627 to 1772. The Trinh Lords repeatedly failed in attempting to take over the area under the Nguyen control.
  During this time, Vietnam had great political and social-economic changes. At the end of 16th century, Vietnam contact trading with the West as Portugal, Spain, Holland, England, and France… the Catholicism was first introduced in Vietnam.
 Tay Son Dynasty (1788 - 1802)

  Country’s name: An Nam
  Capital: Phu Xuan
  During the summer of 1786, the Tay Son army from the South invaded North Vietnam with a view of destroying regime of the Trinh Lords. On July 21, 1786 Thang Long fell into the hands of the Tay Son troops.
  Nguyen Hue, the Commander-in-Chief of the Tay Son army, graciously returned power to the Le King. Thereafter, Nguyen Hue returned to the South. The Le King, however, could not manage the affairs of the country, and an acute scramble for power arose among several militant groups, making Tay Son intervention on two occasions, the second one led by Nguyen Hue himself.
  By the end of 1788, the country faced a large-scale aggression launched by the Manchi Dynasty of China. The news reached Phu Xuan (present day Hue), the country’s capital, and Nguyen Hue ascended the throne as Emperor Quang Trung on December 22nd 1788. He immediately set out for North Vietnam with his army. By noon of January 30th 1789, the enemy’s positions were smashed, and the enemy troops retreated to China panic. At present, a festival is held annually in the Dong Da hill area to celebrate the victory.
  Emperor Quang Trung passed away in 1792. His 10-year sun was placed on the throne. 10 years later, Tay Son Dynasty was replaced by Nguyen Dynasty - the descendant of Nguyen Lords.
  The Tay Son Dynasty lasted for 15 years with 2 reigns.
 Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945)

  Country’s name: Nam Viet
  Capital: Phu Xuan
  In 1802, Nguyen Anh ascended the throne and established the Nguyen Dynasty - the last Dynasty in Vietnam. He took the alias Gia Long and renamed the country as Nam Viet.
  King Gia Long ordered to build Hue citadel, promulgated laws to control over the country, developed the economy, repaired roads… He has a real ability and intellect.
  But the development of country under the next reigns was slowed down because of the closed economic policy.
  July 1858 is the beginning of the French colonialists in Vietnam for nearly a century. During this period, a lot of rebellions against the Royal Court and the French colonialists marked a stage struggling for independence and freedom of the country and ended with the August Revolution in 1945.
  August 1945, King Bao Dai, the last King of the Nguyen Dynasty, left his throne. This event ended a long feudal time in Vietnam history.
  From august revolution up to now (1945 - now)
  Country’s name: Vietnam
  Capital: Hanoi
  2nd September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam came into being. The capital is Hanoi.
  At the end of 1946, the French colonialists returned and reoccupied the country. For 9 years, the Vietnamese people carried out the war of resistance against the French. It ended by the Dien Bien Phu Great Victory on 7th May 1954. An agreement for peace was signed by the French and Vietnam government in Geneva. According it, a general election would be held throughout the country for a united government but it didn’t happen.
  The American Imperialists replace the French and occupied the South. The Vietnamese people one more time carried out the anti-American resistance war for 21 years. At 11:30 on 30th April 1975, the country completely unified.
  In 1976, the country was renamed as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi still being as The Capital, Sai Gon was renamed as Ho Chi Minh City.
  After two wars, the economy of Vietnam was backward, subsidized and underdeveloped. Since 1986, Vietnam has carried out the opened market economy, under the leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party.
  Nowadays, Vietnam economy gradually has being improved and integrated into the World’s Economy.

Official name:    
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Area:                    
330,900 square kilometers
Capital city:        
Hanoi
Population:        
83,5 million (2005)
Major cities:      
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hai Phong, Halong, Hue, Dalat, Nha Trang, Can Tho
Local time:        
GMT + 7 hours Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia. Spreading along the eastern edge of the Indochinese Peninsula, Vietnam covers a land area of 330,900 sq. km with the legendary world of Halong Bay, the colourful charm of Central Highlands and the criss-cross waterways of the Mekong Delta. The country boasts a marvelous coastline of 3,260km dotted with white sandy beaches, tranquil bays and vivid coral reefs. Vietnam also shares land borders of 3,700km with Laos, Cambodia and China.
Moreover, with a tropical monsoon climate, all parts of the country are mostly warm the whole year round, which is ideal for those who love sunny weather. History
Vietnam’s history is a long, exciting and fascinating one, with the oldest archaeological findings in the Bac Son grotto, Lang Son Province, at Do Mountain, Thanh Hoa Province and artifacts of the Phung Nguyen, Dong Dau, Go Mun and Dong Son cultures as well as the Ngoc Lu bronze drums showing that people have been living there as far back as about a half million years ago - making them among the very first East Asians who practiced agriculture in that area.

Vietnam’s history can be divided into the  main periods as below

•     Prehistoric Era : including Pre-Paleolithic Age and Neolithic Age between 10,000 to 30,000 years ago
•     Foundation of the Nation: About 4,000 years ago.
•     Northern Kingdom’s domination from the 1st century BC to the year of 938.
•     National construction and defense for independence from 938 to 1858.
•     National independence and socialist from 1858 to 1975.
• Reunification from 1975 – 1986.
• Period of Renovation ( Doi Moi ) since 1986

People
The Vietnamese nation was formed through a process of two major ancient cultures, the Chinese and the Indian.
As far as anthropology is concerned the Vietnamese people have their origin in the Mongoloid race, believed to be one of the major or races of the world and often found in northern and eastern Asia.
At present there are 54 different ethnic groups inhabiting Vietnam, in which Kinh (Viet) people make up nearly 90% of the whole population, and 53 other ethnic groups represent over 10%. 54 different ethnic groups inhabiting Vietnam can divide eight different groups by the Vietnamese language:
 

• The Viet - Muong Group: Includes 4 ethnic groups: Chut, Kinh, Muong, Tho.
•     The Tay - Thai Group: Includes 8 ethnic groups: Bo Y, Giay, Lao, Lu, Nung, San Chay, Tay, Thai.
•     The Mon - Khmer Group: Includes 21 ethnic groups: Ba Na, Brau, Bru-Van Kieu, Cho Ro, Co, Co Ho, Co Tu, Gie Trieng, Hre, Khang, Khmer, Kho Mu, Ma, Mang, M'nong,  Du,Ro Mam, Ta Oi, Xinh Mun, Xo Dang, Xtieng.
•     The Pa Then ethnic group
•     The Mong - Dao Group: Includes 3 groups: Dao, Mong, Pa Then.
•     The Kadai Group : Includes 4 ethnic groups: Co Lao, La Chi, La Ha, Pu Peo.
•     The Nam Dao Group:  includes 5 ethnic groups: Cham, Chu Ru, Ede, Gia Rai, Raglai.
•     The Han Group: Includes 3 ethnic groups: Hoa, Ngai, San Diu.
•      The Tang Group : Includes 6 ethnic groups: Cong, Ha Nhi, La Hu, Lo Lo, Phu La, Si La.

 CultureVietnam is proud of an age-long and special culture that is closely attached to the history of the formation and development of the nation. Historians have shared a common view that Vietnam has got a fairly large cultural community that was formed around the first half of the first millenium before Christ and flourished in the middle of this millenium. There were three layers of culture overlapping each other during the history of Vietnam: local culture, the culture that mixed with those of China and other countries in the region, and the culture that interacted with Western culture. The most prominent feature of the Vietnamese culture is that it was not assimilated by foreign cultures thanks to the strong local cultural foundations. On the contrary, it was able to utilize and localize those from abroad to enrich the national culture.
With 54 ethnic groups living across the country and each ethnicity having its own cultural colour, the Vietnamese culture is a diversified unification. Apart from the typical Viet-Muong culture, there are other cultural groups like Tay-Nung, Thai, Cham, Hao-Ngai, Mon-Khmer, H'Mong-Dao, and especially Tay Nguyen groups that still maintain fairly diverse and comprehensive traditions of a purely agricultural society that is closely attached to forests and mountains.
At present, there are still approximated 7,300 preserved historic and cultural sites over Vietnam, from which 1,500 cultural relics have been categorized. These relics are mainly concentrated in Hanoi and Hue such as relics of Hung Kings, relics of Co Loa Citadel of the Au Lac state, the Hoa Lu ancient capital in 10th century and the My Son cultural Heritage of the Cham people.
Specific features of Vietnam are reflected in other cultural tokens such as legends, festivals, traditional theater, water puppetry, traditional music, dances and customs.  Customs & Habits.

• Worship of Ancestor Custom  
[/I][/B]Vietnamese believe that the soul of a dead person, even if dead for many generations, still rests along with their descendants on earth. The dead and living persons still have spiritual communion; in everyday life, people must not forget that what they enjoy and how they feel is the same for their dead relatives.
 On the last day of every lunar year, an announcing cult, cung tien thuong, is performed to invite the dead forefathers to return home to celebrate Tet holidays with their families. During the last days before Tet, all family members visit their ancestors’ graves; they clean and decorate the graves, in the same manner that the livings clean and decorate their houses to welcome the New Year.
On the anniversary of an ancestor’s death, descendants and relatives unite and prepare a feast to worship the dead people and to ask for health and happiness for themselves. From generation to generation, ancestor worshipping customs have been religiously preserved. There are some small variations between those customs among the many Vietnamese ethnic groups, but the common theme of fidelity and gratitude towards the ancestors remains.

• Villages – Guilds
  In Vietnamese society, people gather together to form villages in rural areas, and guilds in urban areas. Villages and guilds have been forming since the dawn of the nation. These organizations have gradually developed for the population to be more stable and closer together. Each village and guild has its own regulations called conventions.The purpose of these conventions is the promotion of good customs within populations. All the conventions are different but they are always in accordance with the state laws.
  
• Customs of Chewing Betel and Areca Nuts and smoking thuoc lao  
  According to legends, chewing quid of betel and areca has been a custom since the Hung Vuong period and is connected to the antique legend of betel and areca. A quid of betel, also called trau, is composed of four elements: an areca leaf (sweet taste), betel bark (hot taste), a chay root (bitter taste), and hydrated lime (pungent taste). The custom of chewing betel nut is unique to Vietnam. Old health books claim that "chewing betel and areca nut makes the mouth fragrant, decreases bad tempers, and makes digesting food easy". A quid of betel makes people become closer and more openhearted. At any wedding ceremony, there must be a dish of betel and areca nut, which people can share as they enjoy the special occasion.
  During festivals or Tet Holidays, betel and areca nut is used for inviting visitors and making acquaintances. Sharing a quid of betel with an old friend is like expressing gratitude for the relationship. A quid of betel and areca nut makes people feel warm on cold winters days, and during funerals it relieves sadness. Betel and areca nuts are also used in offerings. When Vietnamese people worship their ancestors, betel and areca nut must be present at the altar. Nowadays, the custom of chewing betel remains popular in some Vietnamese villages and among the old. Let’s not forget to mention thuoc lao or strong tobacco. For women, betel can initiate various feminine conversation, but for men, thuoc lao is related to their joyfulness as well as the sadness in their lives. Peasants always carry their dieu cay (pipe for smoking while ploughing the rice fields).
  
•     Wedding Ceremony  
  Getting married is an important event in a Vietnamese’s life. The procedure of the ancient wedding ceremony was very complicated. Current wedding ceremony procedures include the following steps: the search for a husband or wife, the proposal, the registration, and finally the wedding.
  Depending on habits of specific ethnic groups, marriage includes various steps and related procedures, but generally there are two main ceremonies:
  Le an hoi (betrothal ceremony): Some time before the wedding, the groom and his family visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents composed of gifts of areca nuts and betel leaves, tea, cake, fruits, wines and other delicacies covered with red cloth and carried by unmarried girls or boys. Both families agree to pick a good day for wedding.
  Le cuoi (wedding ceremony): Guests would be invited to come to join a party and celebrate the couple’s happiness. The couple should pray before the altar asking their ancestors for permission for their marriage, then to express their gratitude to both groom’s and bride’s parents for raising and protecting them. Guests will share their joy at a party later.
  
•     Funeral Ceremony  
  “The sense of the dead is that of the final,” says a Vietnamese proverb, meaning that funeral ceremonies must be solemnly organized.
  Formerly funeral ceremonies went as following: the body was washed and dressed; then a le ngam ham, or chopstick, was laid between the teeth and a pinch of rice and three coins were dropped in the mouth. Then the body was put on a grass mat laid on the ground according to the saying “being born from the earth, one must return back to the earth.” The dead body was enveloped with white cloth, le kham liem, and put into the coffin, le nhap quan. Finally, the funeral ceremony, le thanh phuc, was officially performed.
  The deceased person’s sons, daughters, and daughters-in-law had to wear coarse gauze turbans and tunics, and hats made of straw or of dry banana fiber. The deceased person’s grandchildren and relatives also had to wear mourning turbans. During the days when the dead were still laid out at home, the mourning went on with worshipping meals and mourning music. Relatives, neighbours, and friends came to offer their condolences.
  The date and time for the funeral procession, le dua tang, must be carefully selected. Relatives, friends, and descendants take part in the funeral procession to accompany the dead along the way to the burial ground. Votive papers were dropped along the way. At the grave site, the coffin is buried and covered. After three days of mourning, the family visits the tomb again, le mo cua ma or worship the opening the grave; after 49 days, le chung that, the family stops bringing rice for the dead to the altar. And finally, after 100 days, the family celebrates tot khoc, or the end of the tears. After one year is the ceremony of the first anniversary of the relative’s death and after two years is the ceremony of the end of mourning.
  

Relegions & Belive
In Vietnam Buddhism is very popular and most Vietnamese worship their ancestor. There are some other religions in Vietnam such as Caodaism, Hoa Hao sect, Catholicism and Protestantism, Islam.
 

•     Buddhism
      Buddhism was first introduced to Vietnam in the 2nd century, and reached its peak in the Ly dynasty (11th century). It was then regarded as the official religion dominating court affairs. Buddhism was preached broadly among the population and it enjoyed a profound influence on people's daily life. Its influence also left marks in various areas of traditional literature and architecture. As such, many pagodas and temples were built during this time. At the end of the 14th century, Buddhism began to show signs of decline. The ideological influence of Buddhism, however, remained very strong in social and cultural life. Presenty, over 70 percent of the population of Vietnam are either Buddhist or strongly influenced by Buddhist practices.
  
•     Catholicism
  Catholicism was introduced to Vietnam in the 17th century. At present the most densely-populated Catholic areas are Bui Chu-Phat Diem in the northern province of Ninh Binh and Ho Nai-Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province to the South. About 10 percent of the population are considered Catholic.
  
•     Protestantism
  Protestantism was introduced to Vietnam at about the same time as Catholicism. Protestantism, however, remains an obscure religion. At present most Protestants live in the Central Highlands. There still remains a Protestant church on Hang Da Street in Hanoi. The number of Protestants living in Vietnam is estimated at 400,000.
  
•     Islam
  Islamic followers in Vietnam are primarily from the Cham ethnic minority group living in the central part of the central coast. The number of Islamic followers in Vietnam totals about 50,000.
  
•     Caodaism
  Caodaism was first introduced to the country in 1926. Settlements of the Cao Dai followers in South Vietnam are located near the Church in Tay Ninh. The number of followers of this sect is estimated at 2 million.
  
•     Hoa Hao Sect
  The Hoa Hao Sect was first introduced to Vietnam in 1939. More than 1 million Vietnamese are followers of this sect. Most of them live in the south-west of Vietnam.
  
•     Mother Worship (Tho Mau)
  Researchers describe the Vietnamese mother-worship cult as a primitive religion. Mother, Me in the Vietnamese language, is pronounced Mau in Sino-*script. The mother worship cult might be originated from the cult of the Goddess in ancient ages. In the Middle Ages, the Mother was worshipped in temples and palaces. Due to the fact that it is a worshipping custom and not a religion, the Mother worshipping cult has not been organised as Buddhism and Catholicism have. As a result, the different affiliations of the cult have yet to be consistent and different places still have different customs. The custom of Mother worship originated from the north. In the south, the religion has integrated the local goddesses such as Thien Y A Na (Hue) and Linh Son (Tay Ninh).
      In fact, the Mother worship cult was influenced by other religions, mainly Taoism.
  

Vietnamese traditional costumes
Traditional costumes of the Vietnamese people tend to be very simple and modest. Men wear brown shirts and white trousers. Their headgear is simply a piece of cloth wrapped around the head and their footwear consists of a pair of plain sandals.
For formal ceremonies men would have two additional items, a long gown with slits on either side, and a turban, usually in black or brown made of cotton or silk. In feudal times, there were strict dress codes. Ordinary people were not allowed to wear clothes with dyes other than black, brown or white. Costumes in yellow were reserved for the King. Those in purple and red were reserved for high ranking court officials, while dresses in blue were exclusively worn by petty court officials. Men's dress has gradually changed along with social development.
The traditional set of a long gown and turban gave way to more modern looking suits, while business shirts and trousers have replaced traditional long sleeved shirts and wide trousers. Traditional costumes still exist and efforts are increasingly being made to restore traditional festivals and entertainment which incorporate traditional costumes.
Young women wear light brown-colored short shirts with long black skirts. Their headgear consists of a black turban with a peak at the front. To make their waist look smaller, they tightly fasten a long piece of pink or violet cloth.On formal occasions, they wear a special three layered dress called an "ao dai", a long gown with slits on either side.
The outer garment is a special silk gown called an "ao tu than" which is brown or light brown in colour with four slits divided equally on its lower section. The second layer is a gown in a light yellow colour and the third layer is a pink gown. When a woman wears her three gowns, she fastens the buttons on the side, and leave those on the chest unfastened so that it forms a shaped collar. This allows her to show the different colors on the upper part of the three gowns. Beneath the three gowns is a bright red brassiere which is left exposed to cover the woman's neck.
Over time, the traditional "ao dai" has gone through certain changes. Long gowns are now carefully tailored  to fit the body of a Vietnamese woman. The two long slits along the side allow the gown to have two free floating panels in the front and at the back of the dress. The floating panels expose a long pair of white silk trousers.
An elegant looking conical palm hat, which is traditionally known as a "non bai tho" (a hat with poetry written on it), is worn as part of a woman's formal dress. This traditional conical hat is particularly suitable for a tropical country such as Vietnam, where fierce sunshine and hard rain are commonplace.
To make a conical hat, a hat maker chooses young palm leaves that have been been dried under continued sunshine. Attached beneath the almost transparent layers of dried palm leaves is  a drawing of a small river wharf. Below the drawing,  there is a piece of poetry  to be recited by the hat wearer.
In recent years some foreign fashions have been introduced to Vietnam; however, the traditional "ao dai" remains preferable to women in both urban and rural settings.
In general, Vietnamese clothing is very diverse. Every ethnic group in Vietnam has its own style of clothing. Festivals are the occasion for all to wear their favorite clothes. Over thousands of years, the traditional clothing of all ethnic groups in Vietnam has changed, but each ethnic group has separately maintained their own characteristics.
In the mountain areas, people live in houses built on stilts, wear trousers or skirts and indigo vests with design motifs imitating wild flowers and beasts. In the northern uplands and the Central Highlands, the young women have made skirts and vests with beautiful and coulourful decoration in a style convenient for farm work in terraced fields and to travel on hilly slopes and mountain gorges.
 
 Vietnam Handicrafts
Vietnam is a country rich in handicraft products, thanks to the hard-working, dexterous, and creative qualities of the Vietnamese people. For a very long time, handicraft products have been a source of cultural pride and a source of income for the people. As the varieties of handicraft products are too numerous to be fully introduced, only a few typical items and their sources are mentioned here.
 

•     Ceramic
[/B]There are many villages throughout the country that produce ceramics. Some of these villages include Phu Lang in Bac Ninh Province, Huong Canh in Vinh Phuc Province, Lo Chum in Thanh Hoa Province, Thanh Ha in Hoi An (Quang Nam Province), and Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province.
 Bat Trang Ceramic Village (Hanoi) is very old. According to historical documents, products from this village were well known as far back as the 15th century.
Vietnamese ceramic is now well known in both the domestic and international markets. Traditional products include kitchen items and trays. The flower-patterned bowls of Bat Trang have been exported to Sweden, the cucumber pots to Russia, and the teapots to France.

•     Bamboo products
  Bamboo and rattan (tre, may, and song) are abundant sources of material used by Vietnamese handicraftsmen. The advantages of these products are that they are light, durable, and termite resistant.
  Bamboo and rattan products from Vietnam first appeared on the world market at a Paris fair in 1931. Since then, more than 200 items made from these materials are sold overseas. Among the most popular are baskets, flower pots, lampshades, and bookshelves.
  
•     Lacquer painting
  Lacquerware is really typical to Vietnam, although it also exists in other Asian countries. It is said that the resin extracted from the trees in Phu Tho Province is the best one. As such, the lacquerware products made in Vietnam are very beautiful and durable.
  As early as the 18th century, people in Nam Ngu District in Thang Long (Hanoi) specialised in making lacquerware products. In its early stages of development, lacquerware contained only four colours: black, red, yellow, and brown. However, due to improvements in technologies in later years, additional pigment colours were made, therein, creating a wider range of lacquer colours.
  Currently, Vietnamese made lacquerware products are essential in both the domestic and foreign markets. The renowned products include wall paintings, flower vases, jewellery boxes, trays, chessboards, and folding screens.
  
•     Mother-of-pearl Inlaying
  Craftsmen performing inlaying use different types of oyster shells and pearls, which offer a wide array of colours. This art form requires a lot of effort as the process of inlaying involves numerous stages, including designing, grinding, cutting, carving, chiselling, and polishing.
  Inlaying is widely used in the furniture industry to make tables, desks, chairs, picture frames, and trays that portray various ancient tales. These tales are displayed as scenes of nature, such as birds, butterflies, lotus ponds, and banana trees.
  The process of inlaying furniture has increased the value of wooden articles. According to legend, this handicraft originated in the Chuon Village in Ha Tay Province.
  
•     Stone Sculpture
  Most of the traditional sculptures are made in Danang Province, more specifically near Ngu Hanh Son Mountain located between Quan Khai and Hoa Khe villages.
  Sculptors use marble to carve various articles of high value, including bracelets, ash-trays, Buddha statues, ornamental flowers, leaves and trees, and animal statues, such as cats and peacocks.
  
•     Embroidering painting
  In the past, embroidery was mainly reserved for the benefit of the upper class, temples, and pagodas. The technique of this art form was rather simple, and it involved only five colours of thread: yellow, red, green, violet, and blue.
  Presently, embroidered goods serve both useful and decorative purposes. New technologies have helped to produce new materials, such as white cloth, lampshades, and lace. As a result, the embroidery industry has developed and there is now a wide range of new products including pillowcases, bed sheets, and kimonos. The most skilled type of embroidery is the production of portraits, which requires using up to 60 different colours of thread. It is believed that embroidery originated in Quat Dong Village in Ha Tay Province.
  
•     Jewellery
  As soon as the 2nd century, the Vietnamese were using gold and silver to create jewellery. There are three different techniques used to make gold and silver jewellery, including intricate carving, casting, which is the process of melting metal and pouring it into flower, lead, or bird shaped moulds, and common processing, which is a process of polishing metal.
  These three techniques can be combined to make intricate pieces of jewellery. Because of the flexibility of the raw materials, the colour of gold, and the brightness of silver, beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, trays, and cups are created. It is said that gold work originated in Dinh Cong Village near Hanoi and that silver work originated in Dong Xam Village in Thai Binh Province.
  
•     Wood Work
  Since the 1980s, the production of fine wooden articles has experienced a strong revival. These works of art have been much sought after in both domestic and foreign markets. The most popular of these products are wooden statutes and sets of wooden chairs, cabinets, and beds.
  Currently, there are many companies dealing in tha production and sale of wooden items. Their skilled employees have produced many beautiful and highly appreciated products.
  
•     Copper Casting
  Copper casting is one of the most famous and enduring traditional art forms of Vietnam. With the help of technology, several ancient copper items from all over the country have been preserved. Approximately 3,000 years ago, ancient Vietnamese discovered how to cast copper to make brass tools, weapons, and ornaments; therein, initiating the metal age. Some brass statues that have been preserved serve as proof of the blooming period of copper casting in Vietnam. In later years, pursuing their forefathers’ talents, handicraftsmen created many innovative brass products that suited the needs of society.  Some of the most famous copper pieces known today include a series of brass drums that were cast over centuries. As well, there are brass artefacts currently exhibited in Hue, such as a bronze kettle at the Imperial Palace (1659-1684), the bronze plaque of Thien Mu Pagoda (1677), the bell of Thien Mu Pagoda (1710), the Nine Cannons (1803-1804), and the Nine Dynastic Urns (1835-1837). Today, only a few copper casting villages remain, such as Ngu Xa in Hanoi, the casting quarter near Hue, and Phuoc Kieu in Quang Nam.
  
•     Traditional Fine Arts
  Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, each of which has its own traditional culture. The diversity of the ethnic groups is apparent in the many traditional and cultural Vietnamese treasures. These treasures include the various works of art found throughout the country, including sculpture, ceramic, painting, and casting, made from materials such as clay, stone, bronze, steel, wood, and paper.
  
•     Folk Paintings
  Folk paintings are a combination of traditional cultural values with ancient artistic methods that have bean created through the labour of past generations. There are two types of Vietnamese folk paintings, Tet (Lunar New Year Festival) paintings and worshipping paintings. The Vietnamese believe in ancestor worship and the deification of natural phenomena, both of which are reflected in the paintings.
  Due to their historical popularity, the folk paintings were produced in large quantities. This high demand was met through the use of the woodblock carving printing technique, which has been practiced by the Vietnamese for many centuries. During the Ly Dynasty (12th century), there were many families who specialised in woodblock carving. By the end of the Tran Dynasty, they were also printing paper money. At the beginning of the Le So Dynasty, the Chinese technique of carving printing boards was adopted and improved. The History Museum and the Fine Art Museum in Hanoi still keep old printing boards as archives.
  During the Mac Dynasty (16th century), folk paintings developed quite extensively and were popular among the aristocracy in Thang Long. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the art of folk painting was stable and highly developed. Depending on artistic style, drawing-printing technique, and the materials used, folk paintings are classified into painting trends according to the name of their place of production.
  Each style of painting is different. However, in all the styles, shapes are created based on the concept of don tuyen binh do (single line-simple designs), which uses lines to bend the coloured shapes and to make a border for the picture. Another method used is thuan tay hay mat (easy to draw and to see). With this design form, the folk paintings do not depend on the rules of perspective. The deities are large and take the upper positions, while the ordinary people are drawn on a smaller scale and the size of the animals and the natural scenery depicted depends on their relationship to the sentiment or story being expressed. These unique characteristics make the paintings profoundly impressive.
  As a result of c