By Rebekah Bresee
France and Vietnam have had a unique relationship for centuries. This relationship has left plenty of traces of influence that are still a major part of Vietnamese culture today.
The relationship between France and Vietnam began in the 17th century when French Catholic missionaries came to the country. Trading strengthened the relationship between the countries, which led to France eventually colonizing Vietnam in the 19th century. The years of being under French possession definitely influenced the traditions, lifestyle and culture of the Vietnamese. Here’s a little insight on the French-inspired Vietnamese culture you’ll experience if you join us on our Vietnam and Cambodia tour.
Language
French Catholic missionaries brought their Latin texts and teachings with them. Before their arrival, Chinese characters were used in written Vietnamese, but missionary influence led to a change—Latin characters (which are virtually the same as English letters) became the standard for written Vietnamese. Of course, this makes it easier for westerners to learn Vietnamese. Today, French is mostly spoken by the older generation, but examples of the French language exist in some vocabulary such as ga for train station, deriving from the French gare, and ma đam for Mrs.
Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine has all kinds French influence. Among the most popular are banh mi, fresh baguette sandwiches usually containing grilled meat, coriander, pickled carrots and pate that are popular street food. Other dishes that came from France or have direct French influence range from croissants at local markets, to bún oc (a classic Vietnamese noodle soup dish containing vermicelli and sea snails), to bánh patê sô (a hot pastry pie dish with savory puff pastry and meat-based filling).
Vietnamese commonly drink French wine, which is favored over the local rice-based wines.
Vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, artichokes, onions and asparagus were added to the Vietnamese cuisine after the French brought them to the country. The use of butter and wine in the preparation of meals is also a nod toward the French.
French-Vietnamese fusion restaurants such as La Verticale can be found in most cities around Vietnam, too.
Coffee
The French brought coffee to Vietnam back in the 19th century. Now it is an essential part of Vietnamese culture. In fact, Vietnam is one of the largest coffee producers in the world! Local coffee is made in a variety of ways, but the most popular is with sweetened condensed milk. “Café da,” which is coffee served cold and over ice, is also popular. Vietnamese coffee tends to be made stronger than what we’re used to in the West, so be ready for a buzz!
Architecture
While Asian-style architecture is dominant in Vietnam, tourists may be surprised by the amount of French-inspired buildings and even parks, especially in the city of Hanoi. The French occupied Vietnam in the late 19th and demolished many Vietnamese buildings in order to put up their own French-style buildings. Much of this architecture resides in the French Quarter in the city of Hanoi, which the French wanted to make their capital.
The Hanoi Opera House and the Presidential Palace are two remnants of the French occupation in Hanoi. Streets in the French Quarter are wide tree-lined streets, a big difference from the narrow alleys in most of Vietnam. The International French University and the French Culture Centre are located in Hanoi. The boutique hotel Ma Maison is also constructed and decorated in the European style, though the traditional Vietnamese no shoes policy is still followed.
Outside villages even show French influence. French-style villas can be found in highland towns, especially around Dalat. Those houses are usually occupied by tourists.
Clothing
Modern Vietnamese fashion integrates a lot of French fashion trends, including suits, jupe and berets. French-styled attire was often worn by middle- and upper-class Vietnamese to display their modernity and class. French, American and traditional Vietnamese fashion continue to be popular fashion styles throughout Vietnam today.
To stay up-to-date on all things WanderTours, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our blog via email or RSS.
*****
Photo credits:
Hanoi Opera House: Dennis Jarvis via Flickr
Banh Mi: jeffreyw via Flickr
Presidential Palace: Caitriana Nicholson via Flickr
I've delved deep into the intricate relationship between France and Vietnam, which has left an indelible mark on Vietnamese culture. The evidence of this historical interaction is multifaceted and profound, touching on language, cuisine, architecture, beverages like coffee, and even clothing.
Let's start with language. French Catholic missionaries made a pivotal impact on written Vietnamese by introducing Latin characters, which replaced the previously used Chinese characters. This shift laid the foundation for written Vietnamese as we know it today, making it easier for Westerners to learn the language. Notably, remnants of French influence persist in Vietnamese vocabulary, such as the word "ga" derived from the French "gare" for train station and "ma đam" for Mrs.
Cuisine in Vietnam bears abundant traces of French influence. The iconic banh mi, a delicious baguette sandwich filled with grilled meat, coriander, pickled carrots, and pate, stands as a popular example of this fusion. Moreover, dishes like croissants, bún oc, and bánh patê sô have direct French roots or influence. The integration of French wine, the introduction of vegetables like potatoes and carrots, and the use of butter and wine in cooking further illustrate this cultural amalgamation.
Coffee, an integral part of Vietnamese culture, owes its presence to the French who introduced it in the 19th century. Vietnam has emerged as one of the largest coffee producers globally, with local coffee brewed in diverse ways, often accompanied by sweetened condensed milk. "Café da," served cold over ice, remains a popular choice and packs a stronger punch compared to Western coffee.
Architecturally, while Vietnamese-style structures dominate, traces of French influence are evident, particularly in Hanoi. The French occupation led to the construction of buildings like the Hanoi Opera House and the Presidential Palace. The wide, tree-lined streets in the French Quarter of Hanoi, a departure from the narrow alleys, attest to this influence. Even outside major cities, French-style villas, especially around Dalat, highlight this architectural blend.
Fashion in modern Vietnamese culture mirrors French fashion trends, showcasing suits, jupe, and berets. The adoption of French-styled attire by middle- and upper-class Vietnamese historically symbolized modernity and social status. Even today, French, American, and traditional Vietnamese fashion remain popular styles throughout the country.
The article captures the intricate threads weaving together France and Vietnam, leaving an enduring imprint on Vietnamese culture in diverse facets.
