Vietnam

Vietnam, a country resembling the letter “S,” is located on the eastern side of South Asia. Towards the north lies China, to the west are Laos and Cambodia, to the east is the East Sea, and to the south is the Pacific Ocean. 

It demonstrates that Vietnam enjoys a privileged location in the region thanks to its lengthy coastline and abundance of tourist attractions.

 Because of its tropical environment, Vietnam is noted for a wide variety of landscapes, including stunning mountains, white sand beaches, and large terraced farms in the Red River Delta and the Mekong River Delta.

 

Books

1

4.2/5

Ticket to Childhood

by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh

2

4.3/5

The Mountains Sing

by Nguyễn Phan Quế Ma

3

4.2/5

Dumb Luck

by Vũ Trọng Phụng

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4

4.1/5

The Sorrow of War

by Bảo Ninh

5

3.8/5

The Dragon Prince

by Thích Nhất Hạnh

Ticket to Childhood is a remarkable novel in which the writer invites readers to board the train back to visit the Childhood and cute friendship of 4 children. This novel vividly depicts the varied textures of a child’s formative years. Along with the narrator’s long-lost companions, we hear about the escapades and misdeeds that shaped his life.

 

“The Mountains Sing” depicts the engrossing, multigenerational story of the Tran family against the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The human costs of this battle are brought to life through the eyes of the Vietnamese people in it. This novel is vivid, riveting, and deeply rooted in the language and customs of Vietnam, all the while demonstrating the true power of kindness and optimism.

“Dumb Luck” presents a panoramic perspective of the late imperial urban social order, from the filthy streets of Hanoi’s ancient commercial area to the extravagant mansions of the emerging Francophile northern upper classes, as it tracks Xuan’s remarkable social ascension. The novel’s focus on sex, fashion, and capitalism, as well as its imaginative storyline, vividly realized characters, and lighthearted tone.

“The Sorrow of War” is Bao Ninh’s – an ex-North Vietnamese soldier – autobiographical novel. The emotional ghosts of the wars Kien (the protagonist) has revisited are interwoven with dreams and memories of his childhood sweetheart. The author cannot forget the sorrow of war, and The Sorrow of War keeps it ablaze in his memories.

“The Dragon Prince Stories and Legends from Vietnam” is composed of extraordinary tales and legends from Vietnam, narrated by the world-famous Buddhist monk and scholar Thich Nhat Hanh, exploring the cooperation and awareness of others. These stories are told in beautiful text and an extraordinary mash-up of fiction and nonfiction, supported by lavish black-and-white images.

Movies

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1

3.7/5

The Scent of Green Papaya

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2

3.3/5

Song Lang

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3

3.5/5

The Scent of Burning Grass 

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4

3.9/5

Dreamy Eyes

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5

3.2/5

Furie (Hai Phượng)

“The Scent of Green Papaya” is a beautiful combination of lyricism and magic. The film also has a deeper meaning, exploring Eastern ideas of spirituality throughout daily life. Moreover, Mui, as a young woman, demonstrates the importance of being patient with love and giving it room to develop in its own time. Therefore, it can be savored and enjoyed gradually.

 

“Furie,” written and directed by Le-Van Kiet, is a small but engagingly familiar action film with just enough of a new perspective to make it worthwhile for aficionados of the genre. This time, the parent in question is a struggling Vietnamese single mom. This picture is a fitting conclusion to this year’s Udine Far East Film Festival because it features just the right amount of action and has an entirely likable protagonist.

“The Scent of Burning Grass” stands out because it follows many foreign war movies’ character-building and story-telling rules. The movie tries to be funny while also combining romance and patriotism. Though it does offer some explanations of the conflict, the book is more concerned with the individual experiences of its characters.

“Dreamy Eyes” is the story of one young man’s unrequited love for his childhood best buddy lasts a generation despite being tested by heartache and betrayal. The cinematography is worth praising, as the backdrop is beautiful and authentically rural Vietnam. The rural settings are even more heartwarming by using a golden hue, evoking thoughts of pure and innocent first love.

“Song Lang” revolves around the unlikely friendship that develops between Dung (Lien Binh Phat), a formidable debt collector for a ruthless loan shark, and Linh Phung (V-pop star Isaac), a charismatic young opera singer for a struggling company that performs Cai-Luong, a modern form of traditional Vietnamese folk opera.

Music

Vietnamese music is a spectacular genre that exudes vibrant energy and a unique cultural identity. From traditional Vietnamese folk songs to modern pop tunes, the music scene in Vietnam is diverse and thriving. It’s not uncommon to hear a mix of traditional and contemporary sounds in Vietnamese music, created by blending traditional instruments such as the dan bau, the monochord zither, and the bamboo xylophone, with modern instruments like guitars and synthesizers. Most Vietnamese music expresses themes of love, patriotism, and daily life, which make it relatable to people from different walks of life. If you’re looking to explore a new genre of music and learn more about Vietnamese culture, make sure to check out some of the talented musicians and singers that Vietnam has to offer!

 

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