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Similarities: Vietnam vs Philippines
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What are some cultural similarities between Vietnam and the Philippines?
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What are some cultural similarities between Vietnam and the Philippines?
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I think despite the historical and cultural differences, both Vietnam and the Philippines both share some common traits. Traditional villages in both countries have stilt houses, rice fields, and water buffalos plowing the fields. Both nations have had their architecture adopt Western influence. Spanish influence has influenced Filipino colonial architecture where French influence is prevalent in Vietnamese colonial architecture, but Asian influence is often mixed in for both of these countries and their colonial towns. In fact, the carabao is the national animal of the Philippines, while the water buffalo is the national animal of Vietnam. For clothing, the conical shaped hat is a major part of traditional fashion for all of Asia and its found in the Philippines and in Vietnam. The Philippines has many variations, but the most common one is the salakot. This hat is called non la in Vietnam, and is moreso associated with Vietnam. The national dress for both countries has been highly influenced by Westernization. In the Philippines, the baro’t saya incorporates Spanish, Mexican, and Indigenous elements. The tapis, or wrap skirt is a native element while the saya is a result of modest Spanish fashion for the time. In Vietnam, the ao dai got its body-hugging form and high slits as a result of French tastes, as French tailoring influenced the overall shape in a modern sense. Both countries are famous for their rice terraces. In the Philippines, the rice terraces of Banaue and Ifugao are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is the ancestral lands of the indigenous Igorot people. In Vietnam, Sapa has some famous rice terraces, and is also known for the indigenous peoples that live in the area like the Hmong, Red Dao, and Zhuang. Vietnam also has other famous rice terraces like in Hoang Su Phi, and the Philippines has rice terraces in Bohol and Panay. Indigenous groups in both nations also have longhouses. T’boli longhouse Ede longhouse Mancala games also exist in both countries. Sungka is the mancala board game in the Philippines. In Vietnam, it is called Ô Ăn Quan and is played on the ground. Both countries have a variation of sepak tekraw, in the Philippines its called sipa, and in Vietnam its called Cầu mây. Both countries even have a form of bamboo stick dancing. Tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines, and in Vietnam there is a similar dance called Múa sạp, with similar moves and rythyms. There is even some similarities in food. For example. rice is a necessary part of every meal in both countries. Silog Cơm tấm They even have their own versions of vermicelli noodles. Vermicelli noodles in the Philippines come in forms like pancit bihon and palabok. In Vietnam, pho is the most popular of the vermicelli noodles, and it differs in that its served with a broth and thin slices of beef. Both countries have been influenced by China, though Vietnam more so than the Philippines, especially in food. That is why you can see Chinese influence in cuisine in both countries, although its more prominent in Vietnam. Balut is most commonly associated with street food from the Philippines, but in Vietnam, they have their own version called Hột Vịt Lộn, which is also fertilized duck egg. They even have tamarind based soups. This allows for a sour flavor. Sinigang Canh Chua There is even similarities in desserts. Buko pandan in the Philippines and Chè in Vietnam share much of the same ingredients and preparation. In the Philippines, kakanin is an umbrella term for the traditional rice cake desserts, with Puto as the most popular. In Vietnam, Bánh Bò Hấp is the equivalent, and is made with relatively the same ingredients like glutinous rice flour. There are even rice cakes wrapped in banana leaf in both nations. Suman is the most known rice cake wrapped in banana leaf in the Philippines, and bánh chưng is a popular rice cake wrapped in banana leaf in Vietnam. Suman Bánh chưng There is even some desserts influenced by colonial rule. The custard Leche flan in the Philippines is similar to Bánh Flan of Vietnam, an example of European influence. Halo-halo in the Philippines is also similar to Bánh lọt in Vietnam.
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Surprisingly, very few, considering they are neighbours except for the sea that separates them. Some of their foods are very similar, including some of the more exotic (from a European/Western point of view) ones, such as cooked unhatched chickens (doesn’t appeal to me so, no I haven’t tried – but I’m told it tastes good, to which I say, ‘okay – but not thanks’). They do both have remarkable scenery, beaches and nature sights to see and visit. Politically they are both suspicious of China’s advancements into the ‘South China Sea’ (‘East Sea’ if you are Vietnamese). They are also both ASEAN member nations. But even there, the Philippines was a founding member of the organisation that was created in 1967 as a bulwark against communist expansion, and Vietnam was at that time the sharp point of the spear of that very same communist expansion. Vietnam joined in 1995, ironically as the 7th member (the Sultanate of Brunei being the only intermediate joiner to the original five members) Otherwise, I don’t see a lot of similarities. The Philippines has a distinct Spanish and American influence, giving it a much more familiar feel for Americans than Vietnam does, who’s colonial influence was French (but not for nearly as long, nor as deep – so there is a more Asian (think Thai or Chinese) flavour to Vietnam than there is to the Philippines). Also, no communist basis for laws in the Philippines whereas of course Vietnam is still run by a communist party (although that’s only it’s name – capitalism rules). But capitalism is presumed in the Philippines whereas in Vietnam it still has to be obtained, if that makes sense. But people are very friendly and nice in both countries, and both are wonderful to visit and even live in, although Philippine laws are much more attractive for foreigners who wish to immigrate than Vietnam’s. Vietnam makes it relatively difficult to stay for more than two to four weeks at a time (there are ways around that for certain reasons of course – marrying a local for example, or business visas, but they have to be tied to real work). Historically Vietnam is an offshoot of China, particularly the northern part of the country and the southern part an offshoot of Cambodia. The Philippines, whilst having a little Chinese influence is more of an offshoot of Indonesia and given five centuries of colonial rule against only one century for Vietnam and culturally they really don’t share very much. That’s my two cents from on the ground.