A study on some contrasts between vietnamese and american cultural values = (nghiên cứu những điểm khác biệt trong những giá trị văn hóa của người việt và người mỹ)

VINH UNIVERSITY
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
------------------

BÙI THỊ HOÀI THƯƠNG

A STUDY ON SOME CONTRASTS BETWEEN
VIETNAMESE AND AMERICAN CULTURAL VALUES
(NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ NHỮNG ĐIỂM KHÁC BIỆT TRONG
NHỮNG GIÁ TRỊ VĂN HÓA CỦA NGƯỜI VIỆT VÀ NGƯỜI MỸ )

GRADUATION THESIS
Field: American Studies

Vinh – 2012

i


VINH UNIVERSITY
FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
------------------

A STUDY ON SOME CONTRASTS BETWEEN
VIETNAMESE AND AMERICAN CULTURAL VALUES
(NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ NHỮNG ĐIỂM KHÁC BIỆT TRONG
NHỮNG GIÁ TRỊ VĂN HÓA CỦA NGƯỜI VIỆT VÀ NGƯỜI MỸ )

GRADUATION THESIS
Field: American Studies

Supervisor: Le Thi Thuy Ha M.A
Student

: Bui Thi Hoai Thuong

Class

: 49B1 – English

Student’s number: 0857512045

Vinh - 2012

ii


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, I would like to express my deep thanks to directorial
board of the Foreign Language Department which awarded opportunity for me
to do this thesis.
At the same time, I would also like to express my indebtedness to Ma. Le
Thi Thuy Ha, my supervisor, who has given me a lot of significant advices as
well as critical comments on my study. In fact, my thesis could not have been
completed without her enthusiastic guiding.
Next, my profound thanks also go to all my teachers who have helped me
very much and given me many useful lessons during my learning process at
Vinh university, especially, MA. Nguyen Thi Van Lam, MA. Nguyen Thi Lan
Phuong and Nguyen Thi Bich Hien.
Last but not least, I would certainly never forget the warmly
encouragement of my best friends and all of members in my family whose

unconditional love and inspiration have contributed to the completeness of the
thesis.

iii


Table of contentS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................... i
Table of contentS ..................................................................................... iv
PART A: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1
1. Reasons for the study ..................................................................................... 1
2. Aims of the study ........................................................................................... 2
3. Scope of the study .......................................................................................... 2
4. Method of the study ....................................................................................... 2
5. Design of the study ........................................................................................ 2
PART B: DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACHGROUND ............................................... 4
1.1. Culture......................................................................................................... 4
1.1.1. Definition of culture ............................................................................. 4
1.1.2. Functions of culture .............................................................................. 5
1.1.3. Elements of culture............................................................................... 6
1.2. American culture......................................................................................... 9
1.2.1. Overview .............................................................................................. 9
1.2.2. American social organization ............................................................ 10
1.2.3. American customs and traditions ....................................................... 11
1.2.4. American language ............................................................................ 14
1.2.4. American religion .............................................................................. 15
1.2.5. American form of government ........................................................... 17
1.2.6. American economic systems .............................................................. 18
1.3. Vietnamese culture ................................................................................... 20

1.3.1. Overview ............................................................................................ 20
1.3.2. Vietnamese social organization......................................................... 21
1.3.3. Vietnamese customs and traditions ................................................... 23
1.3.4. Vietnamese language.......................................................................... 25
iv


1.3.5. Vietnamese religion........................................................................... 26
1.3.6. Vietnamese form of government ........................................................ 28
1.3.7. Vietnamese economic systems ........................................................... 29
CHAPTER II: SOME CONTRASTS BETWEEN VIETNAMESE AND
AMERICAN CULTURE VALUES PATTERNS .............................................. 31
2.1. Culture value patterns ............................................................................... 31
2.1.1. Cultural value patterns ....................................................................... 31
2.1.2. Functions of cultural values ............................................................... 31
2.1.3. Dimensions of cultural values ............................................................ 32
2.2. Some contrasts between Vietnamese and American cultural values patterns 32
2.2.1. Control of nature and the environment .............................................. 32
2.2.2. Moralistic orientation ......................................................................... 33
2.2.3. Time orientation ................................................................................. 38
2.2.4. Action orientation and “being” orientation ........................................ 42
2.2.5. Materialism and spiritualism .............................................................. 43
CHAPTER III: SOME ADVICES FOR VIETNAMESE IN CONTACT WITH
AMERICAN ........................................................................................................ 46
3.1. Punctuality ................................................................................................ 46
3.2. Individualism ............................................................................................ 48
3.3. Directness.................................................................................................. 49
3.4. Practicality ................................................................................................ 50
PART C: CONCLUSION ................................................................................... 51
1. Recapitulation and implication .................................................................... 51

2. Suggestions for further study ....................................................................... 51
REFERENCE ..................................................................................................... 52

v


PART A: INTRODUCTION
1. Reasons for the study
Nowadays, in a developing society, contact and exchange information are
the essential needs. They play a crucial part in our daily life, in all aspects from
economy, politics, and culture to education, science, technology, etc. To
accomplish

these needs, people need

to

communicate with

others.

Communication, therefore, is considered a critical issue in all fields of human
interaction. However, there are many problems arisen during communication
between people from different countries, especially in relation to cultural
differences. As a result, it is necessary to aware of the cultural participant’s
background knowledge in order to interpret another person’s actions, or in other
words, to communicate successfully and appropriately.
For Vietnam, a country are trying to speed up the country economy, and
to improve living standard for people, particularly after joining in World
Trading Organization, the information exchange in communication becomes

more important. So which solutions are the best for Vietnam to pass through the
difficulties in communication with foreigners? Learning and using English
fluently, is that enough? The answer is not enough. Besides learning English, as
mentioning above, to communicate effectively, we have to learn to know and
understand culture of those counties.
In this paper, we will learn about American culture for two following
reasons. First of all, the culture of the United States is a Western culture
originally influenced by European cultures which is very different with
Vietnamese culture – an Eastern culture. Study on American culture, we acquire
not only knowledge of culture and people in America but also a basic grounding
in culture of Western countries.
Morover, as we know, America has a great affect on the other countries
all over the world and certainly including Vietnam. It is clear that America is
1


being on the way to become one of the largest partners of Vietnam in the present
flexible and dynamic market-orientated economy. That is reason why learning
about American culture is really important for us.
However, it is impossible for us to deeply cover every aspect in the
culture because culture itself is very various. Therefore, in this paper we only
emphasize on culture values of people, namely “A study on some contrasts
between Vietnamese and American cultural values.”
2. Aims of the study
The aims of this study are:
- To give a background knowledge of culture, American culture
and Vietnamese culture, from there to understand more about culture of each
country.
- To show some differences between Vietnamese and American
cultural values.

- To give some suggestions for Vietnamese to avoid cultural shock
in contact with Americans.
3. Scope of the study
- The study only focus on several salient cultural values with out covering
all of the American and Vietnamese cultural onces.
- The study tries to find some contrasts between Vietnamese and
American cultural values.
4. Method of the study
- The study refers to both home and foreign publications to set up the
theoretical background.
- The main method of study is analysis and contrasting.
- The considerations, remarks, comment as well as conclusion in the study
are based largely on the analysis of the data with due reference to publication.
5. Design of the study
The thesis includes three main parts:
Part A: Introduction
2


This part is divided into:
1.

The reason of the study

2.

Aims of the study

3.

Scope of the Study

4.

Method of the Study

5.

Design of the study

Part B: Development
Chapter I: Theoretical background
Chapter II: Some contrasts between Vietnamese and American cultural
values.
Chapter III: Some advices for Vietnamese in contacts with American.
PartC: Conclusion

3


PART B: DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACHGROUND
1.1. Culture
1.1.1. Definition of culture
Culture has many definitions, and it affects everything people do in their
society because of their ideas, values, attitudes, and normative or expected
patterns of behavior. Culture is not genetically inherited, and cannot exist on its
own, but is always shared by members of a society.
In American heritage dictionary, culture is defined as “the totality of
socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and other

products of human work and thoughts”, at the same time, as “intellectual and
artistic activity, and the works produced by it.”
Similarly, in dictionary of English Language and culture (Longman,
1992), culture is described as “the customs, beliefs, art, music and all the other
products of human thought made by a particular group of people at a particular
time.”
Besides, According to anthropologists, the term “culture” is used to refer
to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their
experiences symbolically. Meanwhile, for sociologists define culture as total of
generally organized way of life, including values, norms, institutions, and
artifacts.
Culture is a complex concept, and no single definition of it has achieved
consensus in the literature. But in short, culture is the product of human beings
which is created and developed in the relationship between human beings and
society. But the culture itself involved in the creation of man, and maintain the
stability and social order. It is transmitted from generation to generation through
the socialization process and developed in the course of action and interaction of
human society. It is an effective means to express and expose the characteristics
of a nation as well as its smaller communities. Therefore, to learn best about a
certain community, you must understand well its culture.
4


1.1.2. Functions of culture
Culture has been fulfilling a number of functions which may be divided
into two parts. One is functions for the individual and other is functions for the
group.
1.1.2.1 For individual
Culture distinguishes man from animal. It is the culture that makes the
human animal a man. It regulates his conduct and prepares him for a group life.

Without culture he would have been forced to find his own way which would
have meant a loss of energy
Culture provides solution for complicated situations. It provides man a set
of behavior for difficult situations. In the absence of culture man would have
been baffled even at the simplest situations. Culture not only defines but also
determines what we eat and drink, when to sleep, when to laugh etc.
Culture provides traditional interpretation to certain situations. Through
culture man gets traditional interpretations for many situations according to
which he determines his behavior. For example, if a cat crosses his way he
postpones the journey.
Culture shapes personality. No child can develop human qualities in the
absence of cultural environment. Culture prepares man for group life. It is
culture that provides opportunities for the development of personality and sets
limits on its growth.
(Ajay Bhatt Sociology. What are the important functions of culture. Retried
April 20,2012, from />1.1.2.2. For the group
Culture keeps social relationship intact. It has importance not only for
men but also for the group. It prepares man for group life. Group life would
have been poor, nasty, and short if there had been no cultural regulations. Group
solidarity rests on the foundation of culture.

5


Secondly, culture has given a new vision to the co-operation of the
individuals. Culture teaches him to think of himself as a part of the larger whole.
It provides him with the concepts of family, state, nation etc. and makes possible
the coordination and division of labour.
Finally, culture also creates new needs and drives, for example, thirst for
knowledge and arranges for their satisfaction. It satisfies the moral and religious

interests of the members of the group.
In conclusion, culture is the unique possession of man. No one can
develop human qualities without culture. Culture distinguishes, leads, changes
the personality of the individual and structure of the group
(Ajay Bhatt Sociology. What are the important functions of culture. Retried
April 20, 2012, from />1.1.3. Elements of culture
1.1.3.1. Social organization
Social organization creates social structure by organizing its members into
small units meeting basic needs.
Family patterns
Family is the most important unit of social organization. Through the
family, children learn how they are expected to act and what to believe
Nuclear family includes wife, husband and children. It is typical family us
an industrial society. Nuclear family does not have to be large to accomplish
tasks of living
Extended family is several generations living in a household working and
living together including grand parents, aunts and uncles and cousins. Respect
for elder is strong in extended family.
Social class
Social class ranks people in order of status, depending on
important to the culture ( money, job, education, ancestry, etc.)
1.1.3.2. Customs and traditions
6

what is


Customs and traditions are rules of people’s behavior in a society. They
enforced ideas of right and wrong. Often these ideas are part of the culture ‘s
written laws.

1.1.3.3. Language
Language is a group of words or ideas having common meaning and
shared to a social situation is called language. Language is the entrance to a
culture. It is a set of socially sound pattern, words, and sentences having specific
meaning and terminology common to the same culture.
Language is a source of communication and to transmit message from one
person to another. It is the method to mode the behaviour and experience of a
person. Language differs from culture to culture and is transmitted from one
generation to another. Language is like a vehicle through which we can carry out
our complex social activities. Language is the foundation of a culture and ticket
to the entrance of a social life. Animal have not culture because they have no
specific language to transmit worlds to others. So, language is the key to open a
social life of an individual with some special characteristics.
1.1.3.4. Religion
Religion is a system of beliefs and practices based in a belief in the
supernatural. It may include a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and
worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values.
Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are
intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe.
They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from
their ideas about the cosmos and human nature.
The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief
system, but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public
aspect[citation needed]. Some religions have organized behaviors, clergy, a
definition of what constitutes adherence or membership, congregations of laity,
regular meetings or services for the purposes of veneration of a deity or for
prayer, holy places (either natural or architectural), and/or scriptures. The
7

practice of a religion may also include sermons, commemoration of the activities
of a god or gods, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trance, initiations, funerary
services, matrimonial services, meditation, music, art, dance, public service, or
other aspects of human culture. However, there are examples of religions for
which some or many of these aspects of structure, belief, or practices are absent.
(Monaghan, John; Just, Peter (2000). Social & Cultural Anthropology. New
York: Oxford University Press. p. 124. ISBN 978-0-19-285346-2)
1.1.3.5. Form of government
Form of government is people from governments to provide for their
common needs and protect their society from outside threats.
Government is a group of people who hold power in a society. At the
same time, it is society’s laws and political institutions.
Democracy is a society in which people have supreme power, government
acts by and with consent.
Dictatorship is a society in which rulers or group of people hold power by
force. It usually relies on military support for power.
1.1.3.6. Economic system
Economic system is the way how people use limited resources to satisfy
their wants and needs.
According to Nguyen Thi Van Lam (2011):
Traditional economy is an economic system in which people’s economic
role are the same as those of their parents.
Market economy is an economic system in which the means of production
are owned by private individuals or businesses.
Command economy is an economic system in which decisions are made
by the government.
Mixed economy is an economic system in which individuals make some
economic decisions and the government makes others.

8

1.2. American culture
1.2.1. Overview
The culture of the United States is a Western culture originally influenced
by European cultures. It has been developing since long before the United States
became a country with its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as
dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, and folklore. Today, the United States
of America is an ethnically and racially diverse country as a result of large-scale
immigration from many different countries throughout its history.
Its chief early influences came from English, Scottish and Irish settlers of
colonial America. British culture, due to colonial ties with Britain that spread the
English language, legal system and other cultural inheritances, had a formative
influence. Other important influences came from other parts of western Europe,
especially Germany, France, and Italy.
Original elements also play a strong role, such as the invention of
Jeffersonian Democracy. Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia was
perhaps the first influential domestic cultural critique by an American and a
reactionary piece to the prevailing European consensus that America's domestic
originality was degenerate. Prevalent ideas and ideals which evolved
domestically such as national holidays, uniquely American sports, military
tradition, and innovations in the arts and entertainment give a strong sense of
national pride among the population as a whole.
American culture includes both conservative and liberal elements,
military and scientific competitiveness, political structures, risk taking and free
expression, materialist and moral elements. Despite certain consistent
ideological principles (e.g. individualism, egalitarianism, and faith in freedom
and democracy), American culture has a variety of expressions due to its
geographical scale and demographic diversity. The flexibility of U.S. culture
and its highly symbolic nature lead some researchers to categorize American

culture as a mythic identity; others see it as American exceptionalism.

9


It also includes elements which evolved from Native Americans, and
other ethnic subcultures; most prominently the culture of African Americans and
different cultures from Latin America. Many cultural elements, especially
popular culture, have been exported across the globe through modern mass
media.
The United States has often been thought of as a melting pot, but recent
developments tend towards cultural diversity, pluralism and the image of a salad
bowl rather than a melting pot. Due to the extent of American culture there are
many integrated but unique social subcultures within the United States. The
cultural affiliations an individual in the United States may have commonly
depend on social class, political orientation and a multitude of demographic
characteristics such as religious background, occupation and ethnic group
membership.
(Culture of United States of America - history, people, clothing,
traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family. Retried April 15, 2012, from
/>
1.2.2. American social organization
Domestic Unit
The typical model of the family is the nuclear family consisting of two
parents and their children. Upon marriage, adult couples are expected to form
their own household separate from either of their biological families. The "ideal"
family consists of a mother, a father, and two or three children. Americans often
distinguish between blood relatives and relatives through marriage; blood
relatives are considered more important. Ties among nuclear families generally
are closer than ties among extended family members. Adoption is common, but

reproductive technologies that allow infertile couples and gay couples to
reproduce are highly valued. This reflects the importance of the concept of
biological kinship in the culture.

10


Classes and Castes
Most Americans do not believe that theirs is a "class" society. There is a
strong cultural belief in the reality of equal opportunity and economic mobility.
Rags to riches stories abound, and gambling and lotteries are popular. However,
there is evidence that mobility in most cases is limited: working-class people
tend to stay in the working classes. Moreover, the top 1 percent of the
population has made significant gains in wealth in the last few years. Similar
gains have not been made by the poorest sectors. In general, it appears that the
gap between rich and poor is growing.
(Culture of United States of America - history, people, clothing, traditions,
women, beliefs, food, customs, family. Retried April 15, 2012, from
/>
1.2.3. American customs and traditions
All countries have their social customs and peculiarities, and the U.S is no
exception. Good manners, politeness and consideration for others are considered
important by most people. Americans are generally informal in their
relationships and won’t be too upset if you break the social rules, provided your
behavior isn’t outrageous. There are many things to concern when saying about
American customs and traditions, however, this study will be concerned with the
dos and don’ts for American such as:
The United states is an extremely diverse, multicultural society. As such,
all of the following rules will change depending on the location, setting, and
people involved.

Not looking someone directly in the eye when speaking can be seen as
evasive; this is in contrast to much of the rest of the world, where looking
someone directly in the eye may be rude.
It is considered impolite to ask people how much money they earn. It is
not considered rude to ask someone what he or she does for a living.
It is considered impolite not to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing
or coughing. When someone else sneezes, it is customary to say "Bless you."
11


(The German word for health, "Gesundheit", is also generally acceptable.) If
someone says "Bless you" to you, it is customary to reply with "Thank you."
At an initial introduction, it is considered awkward to ask someone if they
are married or have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
At an initial introduction, it is considered awkward to ask someone their
political views.
It is considered impolite to ask a woman how old she is or inquire about
her weight.
Strangers in America interact with one another generally in a friendly,
informal way. This varies from region to region. In the South, for example,
greetings such as hugging and patting on the back are considered friendly.
However, in the Northeast, interaction tends to be more reserved and such
greetings are seen as overbearing. Many foreigners who travel to America thus
unjustly find Americans superficial. Although Americans treat one another in a
very friendly way, they nevertheless understand and maintain the limits of their
relationships and the distinction between acquaintances and friends. Conversely,
foreigners who cannot interact with Americans in a relaxed, casual manner, may
be perceived as awkward, aloof, rude, or even arrogant.
It is considered a rude violation of personal space to stand within an arm's
length of another person, unless you are very close friends. In crowded

situations it is tolerated, but makes some Americans uneasy.
Profane words are not allowed on broadcast television or radio, and
generally are seen as lower class to use in common discussion, but many people
use them regularly in familiar discussion.
Emitting any odor or smell, whether due to lack of hygiene, diet, or
applied perfumes, is considered a violation of others' personal space. Only in
close personal proximity is the detection of perfume or cologne tolerated.
Getting the attention of waiters, servers or store workers with gestures or
by snapping fingers, is considered offensive. It is better to move toward a sales
clerk and say something along the lines of "Excuse me . . ." In a restaurant,
12


simply making eye contact with the waiter, or eye contact with a slight smile
and nod should be enough to signal your need - in crowded situations, eye
contact and raising the hand casually about shoulder high with index finger
extended up is fine.
Calling a Southern person a "Yankee" will be taken as an insult. Baseball
fans in the Boston area may also find the term offensive due to the intense
rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees baseball teams.
This rule doesn't seem to apply to the British, however, to whom all Americans
are "Yanks".
In most business settings, physical contact should be limited to a
handshake at the beginning and end of the meeting.
When giving a handshake, the corner of your hand between the thumb and
first finger should be met firmly with the other person to avoid an uncomfortable
weak handshake.
It is considered polite to bring something for the host or group when
invited to a dinner in someone's home. A bottle of wine is very typical. Bringing
a dessert is not uncommon, but only after checking with the hosts (to ensure

they haven't gone through the trouble of making dessert themselves).
It is considered impolite to give cash as a gift, except to close family
members. A few exceptions include graduations, bar mitzvahs, and bat
mitzvahs. Weddings can also appropriate situations for cash gifts to people who
are closer than acquaintances. Gift Certificates are generally considered
appropriate in all gift giving situations.
It is usually impolite to refer to how someone looks at all—-mentioning
someone's weight is very impolite. Complimenting someone on lost weight can
be acceptable if remarked upon honestly.
References to someone's ethnic or racial identity are inappropriate unless
the subject is broached generally.
It is generally considered impolite to begin eating one's dinner before all
seated have been served. If one's food hasn't arrived and is likely to take a long
13


time (or already has taken a long time), it is appropriate for that person to invite
the others to begin eating.
One must address those significantly older than them as Mr., "Sir", Mrs.,
"Ma'am", "Madam", Ms. or Miss. For example, it would be rude to address a
friend's parent by their first name unless he has invited you to do so. Conversely,
addressing someone near to your own age group by title is usually considered
stand-offish unless it is in a professional setting.
Scatological, bodily function and sexual topics are considered off limits
except to close friends. Americans have a cultural history of conservative
behavior, and jokes about these subjects is uncomfortable and rude. Full or
upper body nudity is forbidden for females, but males may remove shirts in
instances of hard work or extreme heat. Nursing mothers are allowed in public,
but it does make some men uncomfortable. Males are uncomfortable with small
clothes on the lower half of the body of men, but sexually mature women are

encouraged to wear revealing bathing suits in a beach or pool setting before
middle age.
Many Americans embrace informality and would consider taking faux pas
too seriously a sign of snobbery. In general one must judge the situation and
respond accordingly (This is most likely true for most countries placed on this
list). Giving reference to a list of this type, and to how people "should" act to an
American can cause a response of mild amusement to mild offense depending
on the person you are speaking with. A plain T-Shirt and jeans is acceptable
dress in almost all public context.
(Culture of United States of America - history, people, clothing, traditions,
women, beliefs, food, customs, family. Retried April 15, 2012, from
/>
1.2.4. American language
There is no official national language. If English is its unofficial first
language, Spanish is its unofficial second language. The United States ranks
fifth in the world in the number of Spanish speakers.
14


Standard English is the language Americans are expected to speak. Within
the social hierarchy of American English dialects, Standard English can be
described as the exemplar of acceptable for correct usage based on the model of
cultural, economic, and political leaders. There is no clear-cut definition of what
Standard English is, and it is often defined by what it is not. For example, it
often is contrasted with the type of English spoken by black Americans
(African-American Vernacular English).
Standard English grammar and pronunciation are taught by English
teachers in public schools. Like "whiteness," this implies a neutral, normative
and non ethnic position. However, most Americans do not speak Standard
English; instead, they speak a range of class, ethnic, and regional variants.

Spoken English includes many dialects that have been influenced by
Native Americans, immigrants, and slaves. These languages include not only
Dutch, German, and Scandinavian, Asian, and African languages, but less
widely spoken languages such as Basque, Yiddish, and Greek. Thus, spoken
English reflects the nation's immigration and history.
(Conklin, Nancy Faires, and Margaret A. Lourie. A Host of Tongues: Language
Communities in the United States, 1983.)
1.2.4. American religion
Religious Beliefs
The overwhelming majority of the people are Christian. Catholicism is the
largest single denomination, but Protestants of all denominations (Baptist,
Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and others) outnumber Catholics. Judaism is
the largest non-Christian faith, followed by Islam, which has a significant
African-American following. Baptism, the largest Protestant sect, originated in
Europe but grew exponentially in the United States, especially in the South,
among both whites and blacks. Aside from the many Christian movements from
England and Europe that reestablished themselves early in the nation's history, a
few religious sects arose independently in the United States, including Mormons
and Shakers.
15


Although religion and the state are formally separated, religious
expression is an important aspect of public and political life. Nearly every
President has professed some variety of Christian faith. One of the most
significant religious trends in recent years has been the rise of evangelical and
fundamentalist sects of Christianity. As an organized political-religious force,
fundamentalist Christians significantly influence political agendas.
Another trend is the growth in New Age religions, which blend elements
of Eastern religions and practices, such as Buddhism, with meditation, yoga,

astrology, and Native American spirituality.
Religious Practitioners
In addition to the practitioners of world religions such as priests,
ministers, and rabbis, the United States has a tradition of nonordained and
nontraditional religious practitioners. These people include evangelical lay
preachers, religious leaders associated with New Age religions, and leaders of
religious movements designated as cults. Women are increasingly entering
traditionally male religious positions. There are now women ministers in many
Protestant denominations and women rabbis.
Rituals and Holy Places
The country does not have religious rituals or designated holy places that
have meaning to the population as a whole. However, Salt Lake City is a holy
city for Mormons, and the Black Hills of South Dakota and other places are
sacred native American sites.
There are many shared secular rituals and places that have an almost
religious importance. Secular rituals include baseball and football games.
Championship games in these sports, the World Series and the Super Bowl,
respectively, constitute major annual events and celebrations. Important places
include Disneyland, Hollywood, and Grace-land (Elvis Presley's estate).
Death and the Afterlife
Americans have an uncomfortable relationship with their own mortality.
Although most residents are Christian, the value placed on youth, vigor, and
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worldly goods is so great that death is one of the most difficult subjects to talk
about.
Death is considered a sad and solemn occasion. At funerals, it is
customary to wear black and to speak in hushed tones. Graveyards are solemn
and quiet places. Some people believe in an afterlife or in reincarnation or other

form of continuity of energy or spirit.
(White, Richard. "The Altered Landscape: Social Change and the Land in the
Pacific Northwest." In William G. Robbins, Robert J. Frank, and Richard E.
Ross, eds., Regionalism and the Pacific Northwest, 1983.)
1.2.5. American form of government
The United States is a federal republic composed of a national
government and fifty state governments. The political system is dominated by
two parties: the Republicans and the Democrats. One of the features of
American democracy is low voter turnout. On the average, less than half the
eligible voters participate in federal elections.
Also referred to as conservatives and liberals, respectively, Republicans
and Democrats differ on certain key social issues. Republicans are generally
conservative on social spending and moral issues. They support cuts in
federally-sponsored social programs such as welfare. They believe in
strengthening institutions such as marriage and the traditional family and usually
are opposed to abortion and gay rights. Democrats tend to support federal
funding for social programs that favor minorities, the environment, and women's
rights. However, critics argue that these two parties set a very narrow range for
political debate. Third parties that have emerged on both the left and the right
include the Green, Socialist, Farm-Labor, Reform, and Libertarian parties.
The powers and responsibilities of the Federal government are set out in
the Constitution, which was adopted in 1789. The national government consists
of three branches that are intended to provide "checks and balances" against
abuses of power. These branches are the executive, the legislative, and the
judicial. The executive branch includes the President and federal agencies that
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regulate everything from agriculture to the military. The legislative branch
includes members elected to the upper and lower houses of Congress: the Senate

and the House of Representatives. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme
Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. At the state level, government is designed
along the same lines, with elected governors, senators, and assemblymen and
state courts. The smallest unit of government is the county, which has an elected
board, but not all states have a system of county governments.
With the exception of the President, officials are elected directly, on the
basis of popular vote. The President is elected by the electoral college. Each
state has as many electors as it has senators and representatives, the latter of
which are awarded according to population. Electors vote as a bloc within each
state. This means that all electoral votes in a state go to the candidate with the
plurality of the popular vote within that state. A candidate must win 270
electoral votes to win the election. This system is controversial because it is
possible for a President to win a national election without winning a national
majority of the popular vote, as happened in the presidential election of 2000.
(Ripetto, Robert, and Malcolm Gillis, eds. Public Policies and the Misuse of
Forest Resources, 1988)
1.2.6. American economic systems
An economic system refers to the laws and institutions in a nation that
determine who owns economic resources, how people buy and sell those
resources, and how the production process makes use of resources in providing
goods and services. The U.S. economy is made up of individual people, business
and labor organizations, and social institutions. People have many different
economic roles—they function as consumers, workers, savers, and investors. In
the United States, people also vote on public policies and for the political leaders
who set policies that have major economic effects. Some of the most important
organizations in the U.S. economy are businesses that produce and distribute
goods and services to consumers. Labor unions, which represent some workers
in collective bargaining with employers, are another important kind of economic
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organization. So, too, are cooperatives - organizations formed by producers or
consumers who band together to share resources - as well as a wide range of
nonprofit organizations, including many charities and educational organizations,
that provide services to families or groups with special problems or interests.
For the most part, the United States has a market economy in which
individual producers and consumers determine the kinds of goods and services
produced and the prices of those products. The most basic economic institution
in market economies is the system of markets in which goods and services are
bought and sold. That is where consumers buy most of the food, clothing, and
shelter they use, and any number of things that they simply want to have or that
they enjoy doing. Private businesses make and sell most of those goods and
services. These markets work by bringing together buyers and sellers who
establish market prices and output levels for thousands of different goods and
services.
A guiding principle of the U.S. economy, dating back to the colonial
period, has been that individuals own the goods and services they make for
themselves or purchase to consume. Individuals and private businesses also
control the factors of production. They own buildings and equipment, and are
free to hire workers, and acquire things that businesses use to produce goods and
services. Individuals also own the businesses that are established in the United
States. In other economic systems, some or all of the factors of production are
owned communally or by the government.
For the most part, U.S. producers decide which goods and services to
make and offer to sell, and what prices to charge for those products. Goods are
tangible things - things you can touch - that satisfy wants. Examples of goods
are cars, clothing, food, houses, and toys. Services are activities that people do
for themselves or for other people to satisfy their wants. Examples of services
are cutting hair, polishing shoes, teaching school, and providing police or fire
protection.

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Producers decide which goods and services to make and sell, and how
much to ask for those products. At the same time, consumers decide what they
will purchase and how much money they are willing to pay for different goods
and services. The interaction between competing producers, who attempt to
make the highest possible profit, and consumers, who try to pay as little as
possible to acquire what they want, ultimately determines the price of goods and
services.
In a market economy, government plays a limited role in economic
decision making. However, the United States does not have a pure market
economy, and the government plays an important role in the national economy.
It provides services and goods that the market cannot provide effectively, such
as national defense, assistance programs for low-income families, and interstate
highways and airports. The government also provides incentives to encourage
the production and consumption of certain types of products, and discourage the
production and consumption of others. It sets general guidelines for doing
business and makes policy decisions that affect the economy as a whole. The
government also establishes safety guidelines that regulate consumer products,
working conditions, and environmental protection.
(NUS strategic programmer. Economy, U.S. economic system. Retrieved April,
20, 2012, from
/>em.htm)
1.3. Vietnamese culture
1.3.1. Overview
The Culture of Vietnam, an agricultural civilization based on the
cultivation of wet rice, is one of the oldest in East Asia; the ancient Bronze age
Dong Son culture is considered to be one of its most important progenitors. Due

to the long-term Chinese influence on its civilization, in terms of politics,
government and Confucian social and moral ethics, Vietnam is considered to be
part of the East Asian Cultural Sphere.
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