Language/Vietnamese/Culture/Vietnamese-Values

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Vietnamese Culture → Vietnamese Culture Basics → Vietnamese Values

Vietnamese values play an essential role in shaping the culture of Vietnam. From Confucianism to Buddhism, the Vietnamese belief system is a blend of various cultures that have been passed down through generations. As a Vietnamese language teacher of 20 years, I believe that to truly understand the Vietnamese language, it is important to understand its values.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Names & Bánh chưng ngày.

Family Values

Family is considered the foundation of Vietnamese culture. The family is viewed as a source of identity, support, and protection. Vietnamese families tend to be large and multigenerational, living under the same roof, if possible. Respect for elders is highly valued, and children are taught to honor their parents, grandparents, and ancestors.

Here are some common expressions related to family values:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Gia đình	/ziə ɗɨn/	Family
Thân mật	/tʰan mət/	Intimacy
Tôn trọng	/ton tʃəŋ/	Respect
Bảo vệ	/ɓaːw veˀ/	Protection

• Family always comes first in Vietnamese culture.
• Elders are highly respected in Vietnamese culture.
• Vietnamese people have a great sense of duty towards their family, which is characterized by strong loyalty, respect, and love.

Social Harmony and Hierarchy

Vietnamese culture highly values social harmony and hierarchical relationships. Vietnamese people tend to avoid confrontation and prioritize the collective good above individual wants or needs. Proper social etiquette and hierarchy are highly valued, especially within the workplace or social gatherings.

Here are some common expressions related to social harmony and hierarchy:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Tôn kính	/ton kɨŋ/	Reverence
Tôn trọng	/ton tʃəŋ/	Respect
Xã hội hóa	/saː hwaː hwaj/	Socialization
Phân bổ vai trò	/faːn bo waj tro/	Role allocation

• Social harmony is highly valued in Vietnamese culture.
• Vietnamese people tend to avoid confrontation and conflict.
• Vietnamese employees often have a great sense of respect for their superiors and follow a strict hierarchy.

Collectivism

Vietnamese culture values collectivism over individualism. People are taught to prioritize the collective good over individual goals. Vietnamese people tend to be cooperative, supportive, and prioritize the needs of their community over their personal wants.

Here are some common expressions related to collectivism:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Sự đoàn kết	/su dɔɑn kət/	Unity
Sự chung tay	/su ʧuŋ taɪ/	Cooperation
Sự cộng đồng	/su koŋ ɗɔŋ/	Community
Lợi ích chung	/loj ɪtʃ ʧuŋ/	Common interest

• Community is prioritized over individualism in Vietnamese culture.
• Vietnamese people tend to work in groups or teams.
• Vietnamese people value a cooperative and supportive approach to work.

Sources

• Vietnamese Traditions & Values | What is Vietnamese Culture ...
• Vietnamese Traditional Family Values!

Table of Contents - Vietnamese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself

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Vietnamese Culture Basics

• Vietnamese Values
• Social Etiquette
• Cuisine and Dining

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Numbers and Counting

• Counting 1-10
• Counting 11-20
• Counting 21 and Beyond

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Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns and Gender
• Pronouns and Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

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Holidays and Celebrations

• Tet
• Mid-Autumn Festival

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Verbs and Verb Tenses

• Present Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Future Tense Verbs
• Modal Verbs

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Food and Drink

• Vietnamese Food
• Drinks and Beverages
• Food Ordering

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Arts and Entertainment

• Traditional Music
• Movie and Television

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

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Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Giving Directions

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Traditional Clothing

• Ao Dai
• Other Traditional Clothing

Other Lessons

• Social Etiquette
• Bánh chưng ngày
• Movie and Television
• Tet
• Cuisine and Dining
• Mid Autumn Festival
• Ao Dai
• Bánh chưng ngày
• Other Traditional Clothing

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Next Lesson — Social Etiquette ▶️