Viet (Kinh) ethnic group
Customs and habits
The Kinh ancient villages are
usually surrounded by bamboo groves. The communal house is a place for meeting
and conducting common ritual ceremonies. The Kinh also live in mud houses. They
enjoy the habits of chewing betel, smoking water pipes and cigarettes, drinking
tea, and eating ordinary rice.
The husband is considered the head
of the family. Children take the family name of their father. The eldest son is
responsible for the worship of dead parents and grandparents. Each family
lineage has a temple for their forefathers and the head of the family lineage
handles all common affairs.
Monogamy is observed during
marriage. The family of the man approves the marriage and organizes the wedding
for him. After the wedding party, the bride goes to live with her husband's
family. The Kinh attach much importance to fidelity and the virtues of the
bride.
They worship their ancestors and
also practice Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism or Christianity to various
extents.
Culture
The Kinh have a rich collection of
literature which includes old tales, folk ballads, and proverbs. The written
literature takes many forms such as poems, writings, books, and edicts. Song,
music, sculpture, painting, dance and performance are also well developed and
popular.
Costumes
The traditional attire of the Kinh
in the north is a brown pajama set for men. A four paneled robe, bra, and
trousers for women, also in brown, are usually worn. In the southern delta
plains, both men and women wear black pajamas. At present, the Kinh's costumes
resemble western clothing.
Economy
Rice cultivation in submerged
fields is the main economic activity of the Kinh. They also erect dykes and dig
canals which help in the growing of wet rice, gardening, and sericulture. They
also raise cattle and poultry. Pottery production has been very developed for a
long time.
