Discovering the uniqueness of different cultures is a journey that unveils a world of traditions, customs, and histories. Based on the research and interview, I discovered the diverse cultures of Vietnam and Iraq, two nations shaped by the influence of familial bonds, diverse ethnicities, religions, costumes, and tantalizing cuisines. From the facets of Vietnamese and Iraqi cultures, we uncover the distinctive traditions, beliefs, and histories that shape societies. Join me on this journey as we navigate the similarities and differences that define the essence of Vietnamese and Iraqi ways of life.
General Overview for each country
Vietnamese Culture: Vietnam, located in Southeast Asia, is a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes with a population of over 96 million people. Vietnam is known for its vibrant cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, ancient temples, and many landscapes. Historically, Vietnam has a strong connection to agriculture, with rice cultivation being a central aspect of its economy. The agrarian roots have influenced various aspects of Vietnamese life, including festivals, traditions, and the importance placed on rice in their cuisine.
Iraqi Culture: Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country, in the Middle East, southwestern Asia, northwest of the Persian Gulf. The capital is Baghdad. The current population of Iraq is over 46 million people. The culture of Iraq is diverse. Arabs and Kurds constitute the majority of the Iraqi people and other minorities. Iraq also has a rich agricultural history, particularly with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers providing fertile land for crops. Ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Babylonians were agriculturally based. However, Iraq has experienced shifts in its economic base over the centuries, including periods of reliance on trade and oil in more recent times.
Multi-Ethnic Country
Vietnamese Culture: Vietnam is known for its ethnic diversity, with a variety of ethnic groups coexisting. The total number of ethnic groups in Vietnam is 54 ethnic groups. The Kinh ethnic group accounts for 92.9% of the total population. The remaining 17.1% belong to the other 53 ethnic groups with distinct customs, languages, and traditions.
Iraqi Culture: Iraq is also ethnically diverse, with Arab (64. 7%) and Kurdish (23.0 %) populations being the largest. Additionally, there are various ethnic and religious minorities, including Turkmen, Assyrians, Yazidis, and others, contributing to the country’s culture.
Family structure
Vietnamese Culture: Family is considered the cornerstone of Vietnamese society. Respect for elders and strong family ties are deeply ingrained. Traditional family values emphasize filial piety, and extended families often live together or nearby. Vietnam also is a country that has long been “…deeply influenced by Confucianism” with characteristics of patriarchy, male privilege, and hierarchical relations, which significantly contribute to the formation of gender-specific features and social norms in Vietnam. Historically, Vietnamese women were supposed to be submissive and obedient to their husbands and fathers, and often confined within the family. Although there have been some changes to traditional roles and expectations in Vietnam in recent decades, patriarchal values still have a significant influence on the family, society, and culture.
Iraqi Culture: Similar to Vietnam, family holds great significance in Iraqi culture. Extended families are common, with up to four generations living together and there is a strong emphasis on loyalty. Within the household hierarchy, elders are deeply respected and deferred to. The father or oldest male is the patriarch of the family. His opinion will prevail and in divorce proceedings of a Muslim couple, it is often presumed that children automatically belong to him. The family structure also plays a crucial role in social cohesion.
Religions
Vietnamese Culture: The spiritual landscape of Vietnam is diverse, with a predominant influence on traditional folk beliefs, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, and other small religious groups. Ancestor worship is deeply ingrained, reflecting the importance of familial ties and respect for ancestors. Temples and pagodas dot the Vietnamese landscape, providing spaces for communal worship and spiritual reflection.
Iraqi Religions: Iraq is historically significant for its association with various religions, notably Islam. The majority of Iraqis are Muslims (95 %), with both Sunni and Shia branches represented. The country is home to important religious sites, such as the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala for Shia Muslims. Additionally, smaller communities are practicing Christianity, Yazidism, and other minority religions, contributing to the nation’s diverse religions.
Costumes
Vietnamese Culture: The Ao Dai (Long silk tunic) is the common long outfit for males and females. The outfit plays an important role in the spiritual life of Vietnamese. The word “Ao Dai” was originally applied to the outfit worn by the Nguyen Dynasty at Hue in the 18th century. Ao Dai has overcome all challenges and innovations to become the national dress of Vietnam as well as a symbol of Vietnamese women. It also has expressed the melting cultural pot of Oriental (Vietnamese – Chinese) and the West (French). During important events especially the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese women often wear Ao Dai to go to church or the temple or visit each other. The design and style of the Ao Dai can vary including a long tunic worn over trousers. From children to the elderly, men and women, everyone can wear the Ao Dai with pride in the beauty of the nation and culture.
Iraqi Culture: Traditional Iraqi clothing varies among different regions and ethnic groups. For example, the Kurdish people have distinct traditional attire. However, due to modernization and globalization, traditional clothing is not as commonly worn daily. The culture of Iraq demands no low-cut clothing. Cover the shoulders, cleavage, and legs at all times, unless at the pool or the beach. Women in particular who do not don the abaya, a long dark dress that covers the head and the body, or the hijab, a head scarf, can receive threats and unwanted negative attention from insurgents when seen in public. In certain sects wearing a hijab and/or abaya is seen as a sign of modesty and purity for women.
Cuisine
Vietnamese Culture: Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its freshness, balance, and use of herbs. Pho (noodle soup), spring rolls, and banh mi are popular dishes. Rice is a staple, and the cuisine reflects the influence of French, Chinese, and other Southeast Asian culinary traditions. In Vietnam, Tet, the Vietnamese New Year festival, is the most important event in the Vietnamese social calendar. Banh Tet, New Year”s special cakes (sticky rice loaves stuffed with green beans and fatty pork, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled overnight), are the most prominent culinary icons of Vietnamese. This dish plays an important role in developing Vietnamese cultural identity and nationalism.
Iraqi Culture: Iraq’s cuisine reflects its topographical and ethnic diversity. Iraqi cuisine is diverse and has been influenced by historical trade routes and neighboring cultures. For example, the spice trade and influences from the New World enhanced the flavors of traditional dishes, while the development of the sugar industry gave rise to the creation of countless syrupy desserts. Dishes often include rice, lamb, chicken, and a variety of spices. Popular Iraqi dishes include kebabs (skewered meat, typically beef), biryani (rice, some meat such as chicken, beef, goat, lamb, prawn, or fish, and spices), and dolma (grape leaves stuffed with vegetables, rice, and sometimes meat).
Through the journey of cultural comparison between Vietnam and Iraq, we realize that diversity is not only a characteristic but also an extremely valuable resource of humanity. Family, ethnic diversity, religion, clothing, and cuisine – each aspect contains profound values, telling the story of each country’s history, traditions, and society. Finally, this comparison opens a window for us to look further, realizing that cultural diversity is not just a matter of one country, but an inseparable part of the multicultural world in which we are alive. At the same time, it is also a reminder of the importance of understanding and respect for each other, so that we can build a more diverse and peaceful global community.