The Vietnamese - Self Study Guide

2. A mountain spirit or fairy and a dragon.

3. China.

4. The Vietnamese language, which is written in Roman script and adopted from the French.

5. Resistance. The Vietnamese have always resisted foreign invaders, however, they have in many cases adopted certain aspects of their culture.

A. Vietnam has been invaded by three nations, China, France, and in a sense, the United States. Each of these three invaders has had an influence upon Vietnamese society.

China has had the longest, most lasting, and most significant influence upon Vietnam. Vietnam embraced Chinese philosophy and some aspects of Chinese culture.

French colonialism offered the french language, culinary tastes, and most importantly, through the work of Jesuit missionary Alexandre de Rhodes, a written language based upon Roman script.

American influence can probably best be expressed in an adaptation to American pop culture, dress, music, food tastes, and a desire to live in the west.

B. Despite centuries of effort by foreign conquering powers to shape Vietnam in their image, Vietnamese have always maintained a sense of national identity. This sense of Nationalism has often manifested itself in a determined spirit to resist at all costs, foreign domination. Vietnam for centuries has resisted foreign control; they continue to be a tough minded and strong people who have never accepted conquest.

C. Communism, perhaps in the absence of any serious interest on behalf of western nations to assist Vietnam in ridding itself of French Colonialism, became the vehicle for Vietnamese nationalist aspirations. Communism, as a practical instrument for establishing a working economy, has not worked any better in Vietnam than in other nations where it has failed to improve the lives of most of it's citizens. Nevertheless, as in all totalitarian systems, once firmly in control, it is difficult to change.

While the United States failed to create a stable, secure South Vietnam, its presence and influence created for many Vietnamese, a desire to live within a democratic, free society, rather than submit to totalitarian rule, even of Vietnamese design. The legacy of the boat people, and the many thousands of others who left their country is indicative of American capitalist, and democratic influences.

Module C:

1. Ethnic Chinese represent the largest group of Vietnamese presented in Canada.

2. Coining and Pinching

3. Any elders, older members of the family.

4. Ancestor worship arose from Chinese Confucian and Taoist beliefs. It is not worship in the classical sense but an act of commeration. It is believed that the relationship of submission from younger to elder continues on even after death. Families practicing such beliefs see departed relatives as still a vital part in decision making and the fortunes of the family. This belief system is common among other Asian peoples who follow Confucian and Taoist teaching, it is not exclusive to the Vietnamese. You will often find some shrines with incense and fruit present in homes, even in Canada today.

This is a tough quiz, perhaps only made easier if you are an ardent student of Asian political science! The names listed here are all political figures from the 1960's and 1970's. Don't despair if you got some wrong. Asian names are difficult, and there are distinct similarities between Chinese and Vietnamese names, a factor further complicated by the fact that there are many Vietnamese of Chinese descent.

A. Ethnic Vietnamese account for roughly 85% of the population, 3% Chinese, and 12% various Hill People, Black Thai, Hmong, and many other smaller groups. In Canada today, Vietnamese Chinese persons are disproportionately represented.

B. Vietnamese embraced the philosophical and religious beliefs of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism,and Animism, introduced by the Chinese. The Roman Catholic religion, and other western Christian religions are also followed by a small percentage of persons. Marxism of course, also holds a dominant sway over the current Vietnam.

Aside from doctrinaire communism, traditionally minded Vietnamese follow many of the same religious and folk practices as the Chinese. Ancestor worship, belief in places and objects holding spiritual significance, a desire to live in harmony with nature, and other persons, are characteristic of these beliefs.

C. Traditional Vietnamese families follow a pattern similar to all traditional family structures. Elders are respected. Confucian principles dictate family structure and relationships; son is subordinate to father, wife to husband, younger brother to elder brother. Families are close knit, and work towards the benefit and common good of the family.

1.Malaysia, the Phillippines, Thailand, Hong Kong

2. As the name suggests, many Vietnamese refugees fleeing their country left on boats. The exploitation, tragic loses, and problems encountered in the settlement of so many thousands of people, captured the world's imagination and, in the west at least, it's sympathy.

3. The first immigrants arrived in Quebec as students in the late sixties.

4. The majority live in major centres in southern Ontario, such as Toronto, but there is a large community in Vancouver, and others in several major Canadian cities.

5. According to Statistics Canada the number of persons living in Canada of Vietnamese descent is approximately 100,000.

CRITERION TEST ANSWERS:

A. The oppression which followed the Communist take over of South Vietnam, and the continuing war with it's neighbours, and economic hardships which followed, drove many Vietnamese to desperate measures. Mass exoduses occurred in the 70's and 80's. The Canadian government, and more significantly, many private Canadian organizations and churches sponsored thousands of refugees and other Vietnamese persons to establish a new life in our country.

B. Many Vietnamese persons found it difficult re-establishing themselves in Canada. Language proved to be the greatest obstacle for many people to overcome. Many professionals in their former country, were compelled to find menial jobs in order to make ends meet.

Additionally, the environment of the refugee camps bred the development of gangs and other criminals, who continued to prey upon honest Vietnamese Canadians, who as a consequence of being isolated by language, culture, and a fear of authority, often suffered in silence.

C. The following are important things to remeber when conducting a vehicle check of suspected Vietnamese criminals:

D. Vietnamese criminals have been known to be involved in such criminal activities as murders, robberies, home invasions, extortion, property houses, counterfeit money and credit cards, drug trafficking, prostitution, and marijuana cultivation.