The culture of Vietnam which is in the agriculture civilization based on the wet rice cultivating is one of the oldest of such in the Asia Pacific region. In terms of prehistory, most Vietnamese historians consider the ancient Dong Son culture to be one of the defining aspects of early Vietnamese civilization. Because of long periods of domination and interaction with its northern neighbor, China, one characteristic of Vietnamese culture is filial duty. Education and self-betterment are highly valued. Historically, passing the imperial Mandarin exams was the only means for Vietnamese people to socially advance themselves.

Following independence from China in the 10^th century AD, Viet Nam began a southward expansion and collected Champa civilization (now Central Viet Nam) which resulted in minor regional variances in Viet Nam’s culture.

During the French colonial period, Vietnamese culture received merchant influences from the Europeans, including the spread of Catholicism and the adoption of the Latin alphabet.

In the socialist era, the cultural life of Viet Nam has been deeply influenced by Government – controlled media and the cultural influences of socialist programs basing on appreciating and sharing the culture of communist nations such as the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and others. Since the 1990s, Viet Nam has seen a greater re-exposure to Asian, European and American culture and media.

Dress

The traditional female costume called “Ao Dai” is worn on special occasions such as weddings or Lunar New Year celebrations or festivals. School girls typically wear a white “Ao Dai” as their uniform. Ethnic groups still wear their traditional dress on a daily basis. Often these are quite unique and very colorful.

Cuisine

Vietnamese cuisine reflects its geography and climate. Rice (grown in water paddies throughout the country) is used in nearly every meal, and is also made into different kind of cakes and noodles. One of the nation's most famous type of noodles is phở, a type of noodle soup originating in North Vietnam, which consists of rice noodles and beef or chicken soup with several other ingredients such as bean sprouts and spring onions. It is often eaten for breakfast, but also makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner. Besides a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes, most Vietnamese dishes are a combination of a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs and meats and use very little oil in preparation. Popular spices are varieties of basil and mint.

Vietnamese cuisine is different from location to location.

North Viet Nam’s food uses soy sauce, fish sauce and prawn sauce. Central Viet Nam is distinct in its extreme spices and color of food. Hue’s cuisine, affected by royal cuisine created for Kings and Queens, emphasizes quality and quantity. A meal consists of many complex dishes served in small portions. Southern Vietnamese are affected by Cambodia, Thai and Chinese cuisines. Southerners prefer sweet and spicy tastes.

Music

Vietnamese music varies slightly in the 3 regions: North, Central, and South. Northern classic music is Viet Nam’s oldest and is traditionally more formal. It includes Ca Tru, Cai Luong, Hat Tuong, and Hat Cheo. Among which, Ca Tru is an ancient form of Chamber music which originated in the imperial court. Ca Tru has been recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since 2005. Central classical music shows the influences of Champa culture with its melancholic melodies. Southern music excludes a lively attitude.

Water Puppetry

Water puppetry is a distinct Vietnamese art which had its origins in the 10^th century. Despite nearly dying out in the 20^th century, water puppetry has been recognized by the Vietnamese Government as an important part of Viet Nam’s cultural Heritage. It is now extremely popular tourist. In 2007 a water puppet troupe toured the United States to acclaim.

Sports

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Vietnam. Sports and games such as badminton, volleyball, tennis, ping pong, and chess are also popular with a large number of the population.

Marriage

Among countless other traditional Vietnamese occasions, the traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important. Many of the age-old customs in a Vietnamese wedding continue to be celebrated by both Vietnamese in Vietnam and overseas, often combining both western and eastern elements.