Traditional fine-art handicraft Traditional Vietnamese handicraft has a long history and a diverse range of products, which have become well-known at home and abroad. Vietnamese products of ceramics, lacquer, silk, rattan and bamboo… have made their popular presence in many countries. Today, some handicraft industries are still preserved and developed, offering jobs and incomes to many laborers and contributing to exports, like ceramics, silk weaving, lacquer making, rattan & bamboo weaving, conical hat making, bronzecasting and woodworking etc.

Painting and sculpture Folk painting: There are two kinds of folk paintings: New-year paintings and Worshipping paintings. Folk paintings are closely connected to religious belief of worshipping for forefathers and deities. For mass production, folk paintings were executed through woodblock printing. They became quite popular in the 16th century, and developed steadily at a high level in the 18th and 19th centuries. Given their artistic styles, printing and drawing techniques and materials, folk paintings could be classified into some different brands such as Dong Ho (Bac Ninh province), Hang Trong (Ha Noi) and Kim Hoang (Ha Tay province)…

Architecture Folk architecture consists of wood, stone, brick and thatch, bamboo and leaves, which are quite popular throughout Vietnam. Houses made of thatch, bamboo and leaves can be found in many rural areas in Vietnam, while the wooden architecture is most typically represented in pagodas, villages' communal houses and houses of rich families across the country.

Performing arts Performing arts: The Vietnamese performing arts include various types, such as Cheo (popular theatre), Tuong (classical theatre), cai luong (reformed theatre), water puppet, court music and dancing, Quan Ho (Folk-song or Love duet of Bac Ninh), Chau Van (Worshipping Ceremonial Songs), Ca Tru (literally “singing for reward”), “Then” singing of the Thai, “Ly” singing of the Southern region people, etc. Among them, the most commonly performed are cheo, cai luong, water puppet, “ly” singing and nha nhac (refined music), one kind of Court Music. Following is the introduction of some performing arts.

Literature Literature: Vietnamese Literature has been developed with a unique identity since the early days of the nation. As a country of multi ethnic groups with different literatures, Vietnam boasts a literature of multi-identities.

Major festivals Festivals are typical folklore cultural activities organized in all regions of Vietnam. Such festivals bring peace to the heart and mind of the Vietnamese people, wipe out their pressures from daily life, and bring them closer to nature and the motherland. As an agricultural country, most Vietnamese festivals are held during leisure times, which are spring and autumn. There are also national festivals for all Vietnamese people, including the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan), July Full-Moon, August Full-Moon or Hung Temple festivals.

Costume Most ethnic groups in the Vietnamese territory have their own costumes that reflect their unique cultural identities. Most of these costumes are decorated with vivid patterns in contrast colours: black-white, black-red, green-red or green-white. Many costumes have striking patterns that give a strong impression of a mysterious beauty. Most costumes are made of ramie, silk, pineapple yarn or cotton. These materials are fine, durable and sweat-absorbing, suitable to wear in tropical climate.

Vietnamese family In the Vietnamese traditional society, a typical family has three or four generations living together. With the view "more children, more fortunes", many families want to have lots of children. Influenced by Confucianism and the feudal view which favors men, men play the most important roles in the family and always have the final say. Feudal ethics shape women by requiring their obedience to their fathers during childhood, to their husbands when married and to their sons (in case the husband dies) and never able to get married again.