The elegance way of Hanoian living cannot be missed. It is one of the most values which will never be faded out because people always want to be kindness. Prof. Pham Quang Long, the former Deputy Director of Hanoi National University and former Director of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, talks with Hanoitimes about this issue.
Q: You have been attached to the culture of Thang Long - Hanoi, could you say about it in general?
Thang Long - Hanoi culture and history researchers conclude that Hanoian characteristics are convergence, gathering and shining. Thang Long gathers cultural values from different areas which are preserved and develop.
These values are not formed in a short time but over many generations. Thang Long - Trang An culture is formed from many different cultures through generations.
It undergoes a very careful selection process, retaining only what is the quintessence and these quintessential values that lead Thang Long - Trang An culture to become richer.
Just like that, Thang Long - Trang An culture develops through generations and spreads its influence to other regions.
Vietnamese girls in Ao dai/ Photo by incredibleasiajourneys.com |
Q: Hanoi becomes a land of culture exchange and Hanoian behavior culture has changed. What is your opinion about it?
It is a rule of culture development. The change is the essence of life. It is a recognisable continuation factor in the concept of human values and the community in Hanoi in each era.
People from other areas move to Thang Long from outlying areas and their local typical characteristics are also imported to. But these local typical characteristics have to change to adapt to urban lifestyle.
One of the most noticeable factors is the Hanoi dialect. The Hanoi dialect, especially the traditional Hanoi women's dialect, is very formal, soft, sweet and accurately pronounced. They are elegant and charming in their lifestyle.
Nowadays, Hanoians mean all people who are living in the capital not only city residents. All of them with their lifestyle have changed essence of Hanoi. This is also a challenge for the city authority in master planning. It creates competition which has both the positives and the downside of the situation.
Thang Long - Trang An culture is formed from many different cultures through generations/ Photo: Van Phuc |
Q: In your opinion, what are the periods with the most powerful changes in Hanoi culture?
Since 1975, especially after the renewal process Hanoi culture has mushroomed with bad and good things.
We need to focus on two things. Firstly, some of old values disappear because they are not suitable in modern Hanoi and some new values are formed due to practical needs because culture always moves and changes. This is made by history.
Secondly, in the context of multifaceted integration and exchange, sponsored by the State, oriented rather than spontaneous, the positive elements of the old Hanoi culture such as elegant and generous will be sustainable values.
Hanoian tends to keep themselves before the changes especially when it comes to cultural pollution. The quintessence of lifestyle is still appreciated and associated with human values. I think that when the social environment is healthier, this trend will have a broader impact than today.
Late professor Tran Quoc Vuong wrote in his writing entitled "30 years of Hanoi traditional culture research" that Hanoian is elegant, courteous and kind. This comment show that
Q: Hanoian have many different personalities, which are based on their daily behavior. How are these characters being shaped in modern behavioral culture?
I think that he is right. The cultural quintessence of any nation is also in the value of that nation. Vietnamese people are heroic in the fight to protect the country. That's true, but they are forced to become heroes in such compulsory circumstances. Vietnamese people are very compassionate.
Humanity transforms people effectively in its own way without causing breakdown. Elegance and courteousness are manners of those who are experienced, understand themselves and believe in what they do. It means that they are knowledgeable, they are free and they have an elite level of human worth.
It is not that all old Hanoians are like that. But it can be seen easily in the city dwellers. That is the quintessence of social culture leading the way for the community.
Thank you, Professor!
