Vietnam National Symbols Throughout The History

Vietnam National Emblem

Since 1955, the Vietnamese government has used the National Emblem as its official emblem. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was represented by the current emblem's original design. It became the Vietnam National Emblem following the 1975 Reunification. Artist Bui Trang Chuoc created the design, and artist Tran Van Can altered it. This visual representation of the nation is used on official papers issued by the government, as well as on coins and banknotes and to represent the country abroad. The round shape of the state emblem on a red background, along with the five-pointed gold star in the center, represent the nation's revolutionary past, the socialist government in place in Vietnam under the leadership of the Communist Party, and the nation's bright future. The rice that surrounds the state emblem represents agriculture, the cogwheel represents industry, and the words "The Socialist Republic of Vietnam" are written in Vietnamese at the bottom of the emblem.

Vietnam National Flag

When President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence to commemorate the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, the national flag of Vietnam was raised for the first time in that location. It has a red backdrop and a rectangular shape with a five-pointed gold star in the center. Its width is equal to its length. Red is a powerful hue that conjures up memories of the French Transformation in the past and symbolizes the current societal revolution. The blood shed by Vietnamese soldiers in their heroic battles against invaders is another interpretation of the phrase. The five main social groups represented by the star in Vietnamese society are intellectuals, farmers, laborers, businesspeople, and militaries. Additionally, it demonstrates how these five classes are united and interconnected throughout society. The star's color, yellow, represents Vietnam's ethnic group and is also present in other national emblems and symbols.

Vietnam National Anthem

Vietnam's national anthem is called "Tien Quan Ca," which translates to "Army March" in English. It was created by composer Văn Cao (1923 – 1955) in 1944, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam chose it as its national anthem in 1945. It was adopted as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's national anthem following the conclusion of the Vietnam War in 1976.

“Ao dai” – Vietnamese traditional dress

The "ao dai" (Vietnamese long dress) appears to be the most well-known representation of Vietnamese culture. Early iterations of "ao dai" appeared to have a foothold in Vietnam as early as 1744. But it wasn't until 1930 that "ao dai" began to resemble its current appearance in part. Cat Tuong, a Vietnamese fashion designer and tailor, significantly innovated an old traditional style by lengthening the top to the floor, fitting the bodice to the curves of the body, and shifting the button line from the front to the left side of the body. Additionally, two additional Saigon tailors continuously updated this look in 1950 by creating "ao dai" with raglan sleeves. Due to its distinctive diagonal seam that runs from the collar to the underarm, this design is still favored today. Its body-hugging top flows over wide pants, and the gown's splits reach well above the waist, making it comfortable and simple to move in. Vietnamese women are recognized for having long, lean bodies, and "ao dai" is well known for its ability to "cover everything, but hide nothing." However, it never loses its classic qualities of flatter decency and harmony for people who wear it. Therefore, it is quite difficult to imagine a more exquisite, demure, and yet seductive outfit that flatters ladies of all ages than the "Ao dai," which is a representation of Vietnamese national culture.

Rice

Rice is much more than just a form of food essential for the Vietnamese. It has been crucial to the development of economies and society. The growth of the nation always parallels the growth of the rice fields. It won't be overdone to say that rice has had a significant impact on Vietnamese traditional culture and history. The most common grain, rice, must be included in every Vietnamese meal. Additionally, it provides food for the populace and harbors a secret beauty that might enhance the already lovely Vietnamese culture. Although many rice fields have recently been converted into industrial zones, they still play a crucial role in depictions of traditional Vietnamese villages and culture. One may say that in Vietnamese culture, rice serves as an unofficial symbol.

Lotus - Vietnam National Flower

Both visually and olfactorily, lotus blooms are exquisite. They congregate near the mud, but they still smell pristine and upright, much like Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people maintain their integrity and uprightness despite their many challenges. Vietnamese culture has deeply ingrained the lotus as a representation of simplicity, friendliness, and purity. The lotus also stands for longevity, good health, integrity, and fortune. Along with pine, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, the lotus is considered one of the four gentlemanly flowers by the Vietnamese. Lotus, also referred to as "the flower of the morning," is a plant that grows in lakes and ponds all throughout the nation. Many Vietnamese folk songs and poems mention the lotus' grace. Lotus is another unofficial icon of Vietnamese culture, along with rice.

Additionally, Vietnam still holds onto a number of distinctive and significant cultural symbols, such the "non la" (a conical leaf hat), "Chim Lac" (a bird only found in legend), buffalo, dragon, unicorn, tortoise, and phoenix.

Bronze drums and gongs

The bronze drum from the Hung Temple, also known as the Hy Cuong bronze drum, was discovered in 1990 in the northern Phu Tho province's Co Tich Village, 500 meters from Hung Mountain. Its 93 cm diameter and 70 cm height make it the largest bronze drum in Vietnam and all of Southeast Asia. The drum, which is now located in Hung Temple in Phu Tho province and is thought to have existed between 3 BC and 1 AD. The temple is devoted to the fabled Hung Kings, who are thought to have founded modern-day Vietnam 4,000 years ago.

"This bronze drum is a one-of-a-kind in our museum. A national treasure, that is. One recognizable design on its top is a traditional "starburst," which has several spikes spreading out from a central point. This picture can easily be identified as the sun. Along with other typical patterns like bird motifs and geometric symbols, there are also tiny three-dimensional animals or toads. According to Nguyen Thi Van Anh, a worker at the Hung Kings' Temple, all of these patterns reflect the wet rice civilization, with the sun being the most potent Genie and the others being the people, the land, and the water.

The drum in the Hung Temple is one of many Dong Son drums that may be found in Vietnam. The Dong Son civilization, which flourished in Southeast Asia between 600 BC and 200 AD, was composed primarily of farmers and sailors who resided in what is now northern Vietnam and produced bronze and iron artifacts, the most renowned of which is the Dong Son drum.

The giant drums, which have been discovered all over Southeast Asia, have a flat top, bulbous rim, straight sides, and a splayed foot. A typical drum is 70 cm in diameter. Franz Heger, an Austrian archaeologist, was the first to thoroughly investigate southeast Asian drums and divided them into four types and three transitory types. The earliest type, sometimes known as the Dong Son drum, was Heger's Type 1.

Bronze drums were employed by the Hung Kings as weapons and holy artifacts in addition to being used as musical instruments, displaying all the specific cultural characteristics of that historical period. The patterns on the drums' exterior and inside express the people's reverence for the Sun and their hopes for world peace, good fortune, and abundant harvests. In order to motivate their soldiers, people demonstrated their sense of community by banging drums on the battlefield, according to Nguyen Thi Nhan, a curator at the Hung Kings' Museum.

The Dong Son culture was developed by the ancestors of the Vietnamese and is one of the world's greatest bronze cultures. The Dong Son drum is a representation of Vietnam's prehistoric civilization. The phrase "the key to comprehending Dong Son culture and hence the soul of Vietnam" has been used to describe them.

Betel leaves, areca nut, and lime

Chewing betel is a tradition that has existed in Vietnam since the time of the Hung Kings. It is linked to the "Legend of Betel and Areca," a story about the love of two siblings and the fidelity of a bride to her husband. They stand for happiness, love, brotherhood, and family.

Four ingredients make up a betel quid: an areca nut wedge with a sweet flavor, a betel leaf with a spicy flavor, a piece of bark from a certain tree with a bitter flavor, and a small amount of lime paste with a hot flavor. When they are all chewed together, a delightful flavor with crimson juice and freshness results. The large areca tree represents heaven (Yang). The lime represents the soil (Yin)

The components of a betel kit - which come in a wide variety - include a knife for dividing areca nuts and shaping betel leaves, a kettle of lime, a tube of lime paste, and a little stick for spreading lime paste. To hold the betel, areca, and little goods, there are also trays, containers, baskets, boxes, bags, and handkerchiefs. There is a small spatula and a mortar to pound the betel and areca for senior individuals with weak teeth. The lime pot is a crucial and necessary component of the betel kit.

There are no dedicated streets or markets for the sale of betel and areca nuts. Only sellers from the province of Hung Yen or from Hanoi's outlying areas continue to sell the goods nowadays. At the Hang Be market in the heart of Hanoi, Thanh Tram has been selling betel and areca nuts for more than 20 years.

Betel chewing used to be a fairly common behavior among people from all walks of life, from commoners to kings, and it has evolved into a lovely aspect of Vietnamese traditional culture. The main Kinh tribe practices it, as do other ethnic groups such the Tay, Nung, Dao, Thai, Muong, and San Diu in the north, the Khmer, Bru, Edu, and Cham in the Central Highlands and around the Truong Son Range, and the Khmer in the south. Although betel chewing is not a popular pastime among young people today, many elderly Vietnamese people still view it as a lovely tradition.

Banh chung banh day

Banh Chung Banh Day has a subtle, distinctive, and imaginative palate. It is remarkable in terms of materials and packaging in addition to being infused with national character. Rice is a symbol of the tropical, hot, humid, and wet rice culture. It depicts Vietnam's or Southeast Asia's national identity.

Chinese people, on the other hand, favor using wheat flour to bake cakes, while Indians favor millet. However, stickiness is the mainstay for Banh Chung. The cooking method for Banh Chung is unique and special since it uses steaming rather than boiling. Cakes might take up to 10 to 12 hours to cook completely within.

Banh Chung is not gluten-free even though it is referred to as sticky rice. It has starch-derived amylopectin in it. As a result, folks who enjoy gluten-free meals can eat the cake.

Non La – Vietnamese conical leaf hat

Along with the beautiful silk "ao dai," "non la" has come to be regarded as a sort of unofficial cultural icon for Vietnam. The straw hat, which is conical in shape and secured to the wearer's head with a silk cloth chin strap, maintains its conical shape. In a tropical nation like Vietnam where the ferocious heat and harsh rains occur as frequently as girls pouting, this traditional conical hat is especially ideal for farmers. When they are hot or thirsty, they can use it as a fan, a bowl or basin to hold water, or a basket to hold a variety of veggies. Young couples can have a romantic date by hiding their kisses beneath this traditional conical hat.

Non la is well-liked throughout the nation and is frequently seen in well-known villages and regions in Vietnam's North, South, and Central regions. The most well-known conical hat-making region among them is Chuong hamlet in Thanh Oai, Hanoi. The town is known for producing the most exquisite "non la" in Northern Delta that is expertly crafted, well-fitting, long-lasting, and attractive. It is also offered as a tourist souvenir, and its surface has been expertly embellished with national symbols of Vietnam to convey a message about the attractiveness of the nation and the grace of Vietnamese women.

In recent years, "non la" has entered cultural performances. Vietnamese young, attractive females dressed in white "ao dai" and "non la" gave the most noteworthy dance performance. The performance is regarded as a noteworthy acknowledgment of the nation's performing arts culture. The spectator experiences a calming and serene repose as a result of the dancers' soft and supple movements and the harmonized rhythm. Overall, the dance is an essential part of any art curriculum and a beautiful display of Vietnamese culture, national attire, and traditional meaning.

Although "non la" may not be as frequently utilized in the daily lives of Vietnamese living in metropolitan areas of the country nowadays, the conical hat firmly retains a symbol of Vietnam and is still widely worn throughout the nation. The concept of "non la" has been central to Vietnamese culture for thousands of years and continues to be so now. The Vietnamese beauty, elegance, and romance are definitely symbolized by a white "non la," which can be seen anywhere. For everyone visiting Vietnam, it leaves a lasting impact. Non la is not just a regular hat; it is also one of Vietnam's charmed symbols.

Vietnam national animal

The water buffalo is recognized as Vietnam's official national animal. Vietnam's culture and history place a great deal of importance on the water buffalo. It is frequently employed for farming and other work chores because of its docile and mild nature, which makes it simple to tame. Farmers in Vietnam treat their water buffaloes like a part of the family since they are so crucial to their livelihood.

Water buffalos are frequently targeted for their hide and horns and are thought to be in risk of extinction. Tigers and crocodiles are two of the water buffalo's natural predators. They enjoy being in the water and are herbivores. Most of their food is made up of aquatic plants.

Bamboo Tree – A Symbol For Vietnamese Resilience

A significant symbol in Vietnamese culture and daily life is the bamboo tree. In Vietnam, it can be found almost everywhere, but mostly in rural areas. The tall, straight, and sturdy bamboo trees represent the tenacity and bravery of the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese people's unity, as well as their devotion and commitment to their motherland, are reflected in the bamboo plants' vigorous growth in clusters.

Pho - The Indispensable beauty of Vietnam

One of the highlights of Vietnamese cuisine is Pho Vietnam, also referred to as Vietnamese noodle soup. One of the most well-liked street dishes in nearly all of Vietnam's major cities, including Hanoi, Halong, Nam Dinh, and Ho Chi Minh City, is pho. Pho is currently the only meal that can truly capture the spirit of Vietnamese cuisine.

Pho offers a remarkable variety of textures and flavors despite its exterior simplicity. Vietnamese pho is often cooked with soft rice noodles called "banh pho," a few slices of meat, traditional herbs, and consommé, which is made by cooking chicken, hog, or cattle bones. Pho is a favorite meal among Vietnamese people for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pho Vietnam is currently available in many places throughout the world thanks to its nutritional value, affordable pricing, and delicious flavor. Pho Vietnam was named one of the top 40 foods on earth to taste, especially in 2014, by the renowned publication Business Insider. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times had dubbed Pho Vietnam as the "next Asian food of the day" twelve years ago.

Not only is pho a delectable dish, but the Vietnamese people take great pride in it. Pho is a representation of the sincere chef and the beauty of Vietnamese culinary tradition. No matter your destination, when you travel, or how much money you have when you visit Vietnam, let's slurp a bowl of pho together. Your journey to Vietnam will be full and unforgettable if you enjoy pho.

Some of the Vietnamese folk symbols

Vietnamese good luck symbol

The dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix are four sacred animals in Vietnamese mythology that stand for power, wisdom, longevity, and nobility.

The Phoenix is a beautiful and noble bird as a result. A gorgeous and honorable bird, the phoenix. The Vietnamese view the phoenix as a sign of good fortune for the places where it makes its home. The happiness, good fortune, status, and notoriety of the lovers are symbolized by the coupling of the dragon and the phoenix. People frequently trade bronze or painted phoenix statues, dragon paintings, or both to wish each other good fortune.

Symbol for love

There isn't currently a love symbol in Vietnam, but there is a site you should think about going to and experiencing with your significant other. In the past, Da Lat was frequently mentioned while discussing romantic locations for lovers in Vietnam. The "love glass bridge" in Moc Chau is one additional location that young people today adore and regard as a symbol of love.

Symbol for strength

The turtle is likely a representation of power and longevity for Vietnamese people. Although it's still debatable, people frequently associate turtles with toughness and longevity. Vietnamese representation of joy and other blessings

Red represents happiness, good fortune, and luck. Similar to China, during Tet (Vietnam's traditional New Year festival), people present each other red or yellow-red envelopes (also known as Li Xi) to convey wishes for the recipient's wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.

The pairing of a dragon and a phoenix represents the joy, fortune, status, and notoriety of lovers.

Basic Vietnamese Color Meanings

- Happiness, love, luck, celebration: Red

- Wealth, prosperity, royalty, happiness, change: Yellow

- Jealousy, lust: Green

- Calmness, hope, growth: Blue

- Nostalgia, sadness, fragility, tenderness: Purple

- Purity, death, the end: White

- Evil: Black

National cultural traits are included in the symbol for culture. The kangaroo is the cultural emblem of Australia, the lion is the emblem of Singapore, the cherry blossom is the emblem of Japan, the death flower is the emblem of Hong Kong, the purple orchid is the emblem of Thailand, and the elephant is the emblem of Laos, so Vietnam has not yet established itself as a single cultural icon.

There have long been differing viewpoints over which of the Temple of Literature, Trong Dong, Lac Bird, blossoming or dubbed lotuses, peach blossoms, Ao Dai, a Vietnamese conical leaf hat, a hamlet gate, a buffalo, or even Pho is the most representative of Vietnamese culture and national identity. In essence, there are just cultural features, such as floral, culinary, and traditional dress emblems. Vietnam is still searching for Vietnamese cultural icons, in reality.