The early inhabitants of the area were Negritos. Some 4,000 years ago Austronesian (Indonesian) migrants from the north were moving into the area that is now North Vietnam. Later, Austro-Asiatic (Mon-Klimer and Maylayo-Polynesian) peoples arrived. Then, about 2500 years ago Viet (Yueh) and Tai peoples moved down from southern China. Out of this mixture of genes, languages, and cultures arose Van Lang, considered to have been the first Vietnamese Kingdom. In mid-third century B.C Van Lang was over run by and incorporated into another state to the north, forming the kingdom of Au Lac. Then Au Lac was incorporated into an even larger and more powerful state: Nam Viet. (Levison 284)

Historically speaking, Vietnam (officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as of 1992) has struggled for independence for at least two thousand years, primarily from China. There have been brief periods when the country has itself p

The manner in which Vietnamese children are taught in school is altogether unique; what we would term educational philosophy is for Vietnamese children inextricably connected to one of the country's main cultural events called water puppetry. "Water puppetry is a remarkable performing art that dates back to 1121 under the Ly Dynasty" (Contreas 25). Water puppet shows are deeply rooted in Vietnamese tradition, rooted in the belief that the earth's physical and human systems are interconnected and constantly interacting, and that the consequences of this interaction reflect the importance of natural resources. This belief system is the framework for how Vietnamese children are taught geography, the focus being on examining the relationship between environment and society. Teachers use "the history and culture of Vietnam as a vehicle for teaching students the concepts of human-environmental interaction, adaptation, and modification" (25). This is achieved through encouraging creativity but more specifically, dramatic play performed as group projects. The large part at water puppetry plays in public schools is related to the belief that it (water puppetry) is the very soul of Vietnamese rice fields.

The conclusion of this paper will cover the few things left to say about modern Vietnam; however, it must be stressed that this is one country that has held dearly to its customs and tradition, many of which are quite ancient.

layed the role of conqueror, but for the most part Vietnam has been a subject of conquest by French and Japanese Imperialists during the 1800s and 1900s and most recently by the United State during the Vietnam War (1959-75).

Respecting its economy, Vietnam is and always has been a very poor country, "with an annual per capita income of less than U.S $200" (285). Agriculture is the country's chief means of support with rice being the main crop; secondary crops include yams, maize, rubber, tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, citrus fruits and jute. The importance of these last mentions has increased in recent decades. "Despite efforts to mechanize agriculture, water buffalo and human beings still do most of the farm work" (286). On these farms one will see mainly chickens, pigs, cattle, and ducks, although fishponds are somewhat common. The home garden is indispensable to the family's own personal economy. The villages as a whole participate in fishing, at least those along the coast.

"Literary arts, especially poetry are highly prized" (287). The important role of water puppetry has already been mentioned; this art form does, of course, reflect Vietnam's love for drama as a whole. "Many Southerners enjoy reformed opera, musical dramas with a humorous element" (287). The music one would hear in Vietnam reflects Western influence - everything from Western to rock and roll. Music plays a central role in daily life just as it does in America; its fine arts and architecture, however, reflect Chinese as well as Western influence. In terms of art, "nudes and abstracts are in" and so is the artist Truong Tan. Once a tattoo artist, Tan experiments with subjects such as men masturbating and variations on the phallic symbol. Tan is actually a highly respected artist "employed at Hanoi's school of fine arts" ("Vietnam's"). Respecting art in general, it appears Communist. Vietnam has placed no restrictions on content; "Artists who five years ago would not have received permission to exhibit abstract art, now say they ca

Some common words found in the essay are:
Communist China, Dynasty Contreas, China Vietnam, Vietnamese Society, Soviet Union, Ethnic Vietnamese, Shambles Communists, Communist Vietnam, Vietnam War, Statement Vietnamese, water puppetry, vietnam war, vietnamese children, communist party, vietnamese culture, children taught, vietnamese children taught, communist government, historically speaking, dramatic play, vietnamese people,
Approximate Word count = 2326
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)