Typical hallway decoration on a building in the Imperial citadel.

Vietnamese art is art created in Vietnam or by Vietnamese artists, from ancient times to the present. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ...

Introduction

Vietnamese art has a long and rich history, the earliest examples of which date back as far as the Stone Age around 8,000 BCE. Stone Age fishing hook. ... BCE is a TLA that may stand for: Before the Common Era, date notation equivalent to BC (e. ...

With the millenium of Chinese domination starting in the 2nd century BC, Vietnamese art undoubtedly absorbed many Chinese influences, which would continue even following independence from China in the 10th century AD. However, Vietnamese art has always retained many distinctively Vietnamese characteristics. Tây Sơn Dynasty (1778–1802) Nguyễn Dynasty (1802–1945) French Indochina (1887–1954) Empire of Vietnam (1945) Indochina Wars (1945–1975) Democratic Republic of Vietnam State of Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Republic of South Vietnam Socialist Republic of Vietnam (from 1976) List of Vietnamese monarchs // According to... (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 2nd century BC started on January 1, 200 BC and ended on December 31, 101 BC. // Coin of Antiochus IV. Reverse shows Apollo seated on an omphalos. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ...

By the 19th century, the influence of French art took hold in Vietnam, having a large hand in the birth of modern Vietnamese art. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The visual and plastic arts of France have had an unprecedented diversity -- from the Gothic cathedral of Chartres to Georges de la Tours night scenes to Monets Waterlilies and finally to Duchamps radical Fontaine -- and have exerted an unparalleled influence on world cultural production. ...

Vietnamese art throughout the ages

Neolithic art

Pottery dating to the Stone Age (approximately 8,000 BCE) has been found in Bac Son, Vietnam. This pottery was made from clay, and in its beginnings was largely basic and lacking any artistic flare. Moving into the neolithic era, however, Vietnamese pottery and ceramics started to develop rapidly, showing signs of decor. Stone Age fishing hook. ...

Bronze Age art

Dong Son drum.

The highly developed Dong Son culture that flourished in North Vietnam (from about 1,000 BC to the 4th century BC) was the civilization responsible for the world-famous Dong Son drums, a product of their advanced bronze-casting skills. A bronze drum, unearthed in 1964 from Luobowan, Guangxi, China. ... The Dong Son culture is a prehistoric Bronze age culture that was centered at the Red River Valley of Vietnam. ... The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN), or less commonly, Vietnamese Democratic Republic (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cộng Hòa), also known as North Vietnam, was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, September 2nd1945 and was recognized by the Peoples Republic of China and the... (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 4th century BC started on January 1, 400 BC and ended on December 31, 301 BC. // Overview Events Bust of Alexander the Great in the British Museum. ... A bronze drum, unearthed in 1964 from Luobowan, Guangxi, China. ...

These drums give us an important peak into early Vietnamese life. They were elaborately decorated with geometric patterns, and most importantly depicted scenes of everyday life such as farming, warriors donning feather headdresses, construction of ships, musicians, etc.

Archaeological evidence from this period also shows that people in the area had long been weaving cloth. Many of the people depicted on the drums are shown as wearing elaborate clothing.

Chinese domination from 111 BC to 939 AD

During the ten centuries of rule by the Chinese, Vietnamese began to apply newly learned Chinese techniques to art and specifically ceramics, however this was in conjunction with the continued production of art based on native methods; this is proven by excavation of Chinese tombs in the area.^[1]

From the Ngo to Tran Dynasty

Tran Dynasty sculptures preserved in Bac Giang.

Vietnamese art and ceramics during this period of independence (approximately 10th to 15th centuries) flourished. The ceramics from this period were thought to have been largely influenced by both ancient native styles and the Tang and later Song dynasty's art, including applying the "three colors" concept to its ceramics. Chinese-influenced philosophies adopted by the Vietnamese such as Confucianism, Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism all had a lasting impression on Vietnamese art. Some also claim there are small traces of Cham influences to be found as well. The Trần Dynasty (陳朝 Trần Triều; or vernacularly Nhà Trần, meaning the Trần House) was a Vietnamese dynasty that ruled Vietnam (at that time known as Đại Việt) from 1225 to 1400. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... Northern Song in 1111 AD Capital Kaifeng (960–1127) Linan (1127–1279) Language(s) Middle Chinese Religion Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism Government Monarchy History  - Zhao Kuangyin taking over the throne of the Later Zhou Dynasty 960  - Battle of Yamen; the end of Song rule 1279 Population  - Peak est. ... Confucian temple in Jiading district, Shanghai. ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Guan Yin from Mt. ... Taoism is the English name referring to a variety of related Chinese religious and philosophical traditions and concepts. ... Cham can mean the following: a Jewish variant spelling of Ham a people living in Northern Greece of Albanian descent, also spelled as Çam: see Cham Albanians. ...

The Ly dynasty, beginning in the 11th century is viewed specifically as the golden age of Vietnamese art, and its ceramics became famous across East and Southeast Asia. The Ly dynasty also saw the construction of many of Vietnam's landmark structures, including the Temple of Literature, One-pillar pagoda, and Quynh Lam pagoda. The Tran Dynasty that immediately followed in the 13th century saw a more subdued approach to art.^[2] The Lý Dynasty (Vietnamese: nhà Lý, pronounced like Lee), sometimes known as the Posterior Lý Dynasty (nhà Hậu Lý), was a Vietnamese dynasty that began in 1009 when Lý Thái Tổ overthrew the Anterior Lê Dynasty (nhà Tiền Lê) and ended in 1225 when the queen L... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... Van Mieu (Văn Miếu, 文廟) or Temple of Literature is a historic site situated in Hanoi, Vietnam. ... The Trần Dynasty (陳朝 Trần Triều; or vernacularly Nhà Trần, meaning the Trần House) was a Vietnamese dynasty that ruled Vietnam (at that time known as Đại Việt) from 1225 to 1400. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ...

Fourth Chinese domination and Le Dynasty

The fourth Chinese domination of Vietnam was quite short-lived, lasting only about 2 decades, yet it was also seen as the harshest domination. Many if not most classical Vietnamese books were burnt, and thus much documentation of the era of independence lost. It is said that a more extreme than-ever process of sinicization was enforced, and countless Vietnamese resources and goods were taken back to China. The fourth Chinese domination was a period of the history of Vietnam, from 1406 to 1428, upon which, the country was ruled by the Ming Dynasty administration. ... Sinicization, or Sinification, is to make things Chinese. ...

Consequently, much of the art in this period and even after liberation by the Le Dynasty was heavily influenced by the Ming dynasty's art. // Lê Lợi (1382-1433), emperor Lê Thai To(1428-1433) Background and aspiration Lê Lợi came from a family of wealthy landowners. ... For other uses, see Ming. ...

Nguyen Dynasty

The Nguyen dynasty, the last ruling dynasty of Vietnam, saw a renewed interest in ceramics and porcelain art. Imperial courts across Asia imported Vietnamese ceramics. The Nguyễn Dynasty (阮朝) was a line of rulers of Vietnam in the 19th century to mid-20th century. ...

Despite how highly developed the performing arts (such as imperial court music and dance) became during the Nguyen dynasty, some view other fields of arts as beginning to decline during the latter part of the Nguyen dynasty.

Modern art

Beginning in the 19th century, French artistic influences spread into Vietnam. By the early 20th century, many French art institutions such as the Fine Arts College of Indochine (FACI) were erected in Vietnam which taught European methods, and french-influenced modern art most thrived in the big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.^[3] Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... The visual and plastic arts of France have had an unprecedented diversity -- from the Gothic cathedral of Chartres to Georges de la Tours night scenes to Monets Waterlilies and finally to Duchamps radical Fontaine -- and have exerted an unparalleled influence on world cultural production. ... (Redirected from 20th) 20 (twenty) is the natural number following 19 and preceding 21. ... Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Ná»™i, Hán Tá»±: 河内)  , estimated population 3,145,300(2005), is the capital of Vietnam. ... Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese: Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh  ) is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong River delta. ...

Modern Vietnamese artists began to utilize French techniques with many traditional mediums such as silk, lacquer, etc., thus creating a unique blend of eastern and western elements.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Vietnam

The cinema of Vietnam has a history that goes back to the 1920s and has largedly been shaped by wars that have been fought in the country from the 1940s to the 1970s. ...

Architecture

Noon gate leading to Imperial city, an example of Nguyen Dynasty Imperial architecture.

It is believed that in prehistoric times, Vietnamese people lived in stilt-houses, as depicted on the bronze Dong Son drums. Similar kinds of houses can still be found in Vietnam today. The Nguyễn Dynasty (阮朝) was a line of rulers of Vietnam in the 19th century to mid-20th century. ...

When Chinese influence permeated Vietnam, Chinese architecture had a large influence on the basic structure of many types of Vietnamese buildings, mostly pagodas and temples, communal houses, houses of scholar-bureaucrats, aristocracy, and imperial palaces and quarters. Nevertheless, these structures combined both Chinese influences and native style; Vietnamese architecture is generally much more sombre and muted than Chinese architecture, using different colors and materials. Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in Asia over the centuries. ... A Mandarin was a bureaucrat in imperial China. ...

With French colonization of Vietnam in the 19th century, many French-styled buildings were constructed, including villas, government buildings, opera houses, etc. Many of these buildings still stand in Vietnam and are one of the clearest remnants of the French colonial legacy. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... French Indochina (French: LIndochine française, Vietnamese: Đông DÆ°Æ¡ng thuá»™c Pháp) was the part of the French colonial empire in Indochina in southeast Asia, consisting of a federation of protectorates (Tonkin and Annam, which now form Vietnam, as well as Cambodia and Laos) and one directly...

Some of Vietnam's most notable architectural structures include:

• The Temple of Literature or (Văn Miếu): Located in Hanoi, North Vietnam. It was constructed during the Ly Dynasty and dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. It is a fine example of the elegance of Ly Dynasty architecture, although much if it is in need of repair. The Temple of Literature is a series of courtyards, buildings and pavillions, the center of which houses the famed stone steeles. These steeles are placed on top of stone turtles, and are inscribed with the names of doctorate candidates successful at the Imperial examination. Also within the temple lies the "Quốc Tử Giám" or National University, which functioned for approximately 700 years, from 1076 to 1779.

• Imperial City, Huế: During the reign of the Nguyen dynasty, a new imperial citadel in Huế was built, largely based off the Chinese Forbidden city in Beijing, and also called the Purple forbidden city. However, it still employed many obviously Vietnamese characteristics in its design. The portions of the complex that were built much later, such as the tomb of Khai Dinh, used French architectural elements as well. The tomb of Minh Mang is often considered one of the most beautiful structures in the entire citadel, situated near a vast lotus pond, its construction was not completed until after Minh Mang's death.

The citadel formerly sprawled a vast estate, but during subsequent wars and conflicts, much of it has been destroyed and later turned into rice paddies. The remaining areas are currently being restored by UNESCO. Van Mieu (Văn Miếu, 文廟) or Temple of Literature is a historic site situated in Hanoi, Vietnam. ... Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Ná»™i, Hán Tá»±: 河内)  , estimated population 3,145,300(2005), is the capital of Vietnam. ... The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN), or less commonly, Vietnamese Democratic Republic (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cá»™ng Hòa), also known as North Vietnam, was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, September 2nd1945 and was recognized by the Peoples Republic of China and the... The Lý Dynasty (Vietnamese: nhà Lý, pronounced like Lee), sometimes known as the Posterior Lý Dynasty (nhà Hậu Lý), was a Vietnamese dynasty that began in 1009 when Lý Thái Tổ overthrew the Anterior Lê Dynasty (nhà Tiền Lê) and ended in 1225 when the queen L... Confucius (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kung-fu-tzu, lit. ... Map of Steeles neighbourhood (City of Toronto) Steeles is a suburban neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... The Imperial examinations (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) in Imperial China determined who among the population would be permitted to enter the states bureaucracy. ... Events February 14 - Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor. ... 1779 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Imperial City in Huế is a walled fortress and palace in the former capital of Vietnam. ... The Nguyễn Dynasty (阮朝) was a line of rulers of Vietnam in the 19th century to mid-20th century. ... Huế (化 in Vietnamese Chữ nôm, 順化 in Chinese characters) is the former modern capital of Vietnam. ... This article is about the Chinese imperial palace in Beijing. ...   (Chinese:  ; Pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; IPA: ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... The Imperial City in Huế is a walled fortress and palace in the former capital of Vietnam. ... Emperor Khai Dinh (啟定帝) (Nguyen Buu Dao) was the 12th Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam. ... Minh Mạng (1791-1841) was the second emperor of the Nguyá»…n Dynasty of Vietnam, reigning from 14 February 1820 until 20 January, 1841. ... A rice paddy in Japan A paddy field is a flooded parcel of farmland for growing rice (from the Malaysian word padi, a noun meaning growing rice). Paddy fields are a typical feature of rice-growing countries of East and Southeast Asia, such as China, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ...

• One pillar pagoda: The one pillar pagoda is one of the most ancient structures of Hanoi, its design credited to Emperor Ly Thai To. The story goes that the emperor had longed for a son, and one day dreamed that the Goddess of Mercy was sitting on a lotus flower offering him a son. In grattitude and reverence of his dream he ordered construction of a small pagoda in the form of a lotus, overlooking a pond.

• Perfume Pagoda and the surrounding area: The Perfume pagoda is an ancient structure in Ha Tay province, located specifically in Perfume mountain, and is the site for a yearly festival attended by hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese. Most people reach the pagoda by taking an hour boat ride across the scenic river (passing the countryside scattered with smaller pagodas) before reaching the Perfume Pagoda itself. Inside are a series of temples and structures, and a grotto with stairs leading to two paths: "Heaven's gate" and "Hell's gate". Descending deep into the grotto one finds the Inner temple.

The beauty of the Perfume Pagoda and surrounding area have served as the subject in many Vietnamese poems. Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Ná»™i, Hán Tá»±: 河内)  , estimated population 3,145,300(2005), is the capital of Vietnam. ...

Calligraphy

Main article: East Asian calligraphy

Calligraphy has had a long history in Vietnam, previously using Chinese characters along with Chu Nom. However, most modern Vietnamese calligraphy instead uses the roman-character based Quoc Ngu, which has proven to be very popular. The art of calligraphy is widely practiced and revered in the East Asian civilizations that use Chinese characters. ... 漢字 / 汉字 Chinese character in Hanzi, Kanji, Hanja, Hán Tá»±. Red in Simplified Chinese. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... The Vietnamese alphabet (quốc ngữ or national script) is the current writing system for the national language of Vietnam. ...

In the past, with literacy in the old character-based writing systems of Vietnam being restricted to scholars and elites, calligraphy nevertheless still played an important part in Vietnamese life. On special occasions such as the Lunar New Year, people would go to the village teacher or scholar to make them a calligraphy hanging (often poetry, folk sayings or even single words). People who could not read or write also often commissioned scholars to write prayers which they would burn at temple shrines. Tết display in Ho Chi Minh City Tết Nguyên Đán  , more commonly known by its shortened name Tết, is the most important and popular holiday and festival in Vietnam. ... Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ...

Visual arts

Silk painting

Silk painting of the battle at Bach Dang.

Vietnamese silk painting is one of the most popular forms of art in Vietnam, favored for the mystical atmosphere that can be achieved with the medium. During the 19th and 20th centuries, French influence was absorbed into Vietnamese art and the liberal and modern use of color especially began to differentiate Vietnamese silk paintings from their Chinese or Japanese counterparts.^[4] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (968x464, 82 KB) Silk painting. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (968x464, 82 KB) Silk painting. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

Vietnamese silk paintings typically showcase the countryside, landscapes, pagodas, historical events or scenes of daily life.

Woodblock Prints

A folk art with a long history in Vietnam, Vietnamese woodblock prints have reached a level of popularity outside of Vietnam. Organic materials are used to make the paint, which is applied to wood and pressed on paper. The process is repeated with different colors.

Performing arts

Traditional Music

Main article: Music of Vietnam

Traditional Vietnamese music is extremely diverse, consisting of many different styles varying from region to region. Some of the most widely known genres include: Vietnamese musical culture is highly syncretist, combining native and foreign influences, most notably Chinese. ...

• Quan họ: A type of improvisational music, it is sung acappella and has a longstanding tradition in Vietnam, used in courtship rituals.
• Imperial Court music: Music performed in the Vietnamese court during feudalistic times. When referring specifically to the "Nhã nhạc" form it includes court music from the Tran Dynasty on to the Nguyen dynasty. It features an array of instruments, featuring musicians and dancers adorned in elaborate garb.
• Ca trù: An ancient form of chamber music which originated in the imperial court. It gradually came to be associated with a geisha-type of entertainment where talented female musicians entertained rich and powerful men, often scholars and bureaucrats who most enjoyed the genre. It was condemned in the 20th century by the government, being tied falsely with prostitution, but recently it has seen a revival as appreciation for its cultural significance has grown. Vietnam has completed documents to have Ca tru recognized by UNESCO as a potential Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Trần Dynasty (陳朝 Trần Triều; or vernacularly Nhà Trần, meaning the Trần House) was a Vietnamese dynasty that ruled Vietnam (at that time known as Đại Việt) from 1225 to 1400. ... The Nguyễn Dynasty (阮朝) was a line of rulers of Vietnam in the 19th century to mid-20th century. ... Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. ... Women posing as maiko (geisha apprentices), Kyoto, Japan wearing traditional furisode and okobo Geisha ) are traditional, female Japanese entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts, such as music, singing and dancing. ... A Mandarin was a bureaucrat in imperial China. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Whore redirects here. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ...

Traditional theatre

Tuong theatre actors.

Genres include:

• Cải lương: A kind of modern folk opera originating in South Vietnam, which utilizes extensive vibrato techniques. It remains very popular in modern Vietnam when compared to other folk styles.
• Hát chèo: The most mainstream of theatre/music forms in the past, enjoyed widely by the public rather than the more obscure Ca trù which was favored more by scholars and elites.
• Hát tuồng (also known as Hát bội): A theatre form strongly influenced by Chinese opera, it transitioned from being entertainment for the royal court to travelling troupes who performed for commoners and peasants, featuring many well-known stock characters.

Official language Vietnamese Capital Saigon Last President Duong Van Minh Last Prime Minister Vu Van Mau Area  - Total  - % water 173,809 km² N/A Population  - Total  - Density 19,370,000 (1973 est. ... Vibrato is a musical effect where the pitch or frequency of a note or sound is quickly and repeatedly raised and lowered over a small distance for the duration of that note or sound. ... Emperor Xuan-Zong of Tang (left) and his Consort Yang Yuhuan (right) portrayed in a Chinese Opera 19th century Chinese opera Chinese opera costumes Some athletic jump Chinese opera is a popular form of drama in China. ... A stock character is a fictional character that relies heavily on cultural types or stereotypes for its personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. ...

Traditional dance

Main article: Traditional Vietnamese dance

Vietnam has 54 different ethnics, each with their own traditional dance. Among the ethnic Vietnamese majority, there are several traditional dances performed widely at festivals and other special occasions, such as the lion dance. Lion dance (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lions movements in a lion costume. ...

In the imperial court there also developed throughout the centuries a series of complex court dances which require great skill. Some of the more widely known are the imperial lantern dance, fan dance, and platter dance, among others.

Water puppetry

Vietnamese water puppets.

Water puppetry is a distinct Vietnamese art which had its origins in the 12th century. In water puppetry, a split-bamboo screen obscures puppets which stand in water and are manipulated using long poles hidden beneath the water. Epic storylines are played out with many different characters, often depicting traditional scenes of Vietnamese life. Despite nearly dying out in the 20th century, it has been saved by efforts of preservation and is now largely seen by tourists to Vietnam. (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

Language arts

Literature

Main article: Vietnamese literature

Vietnamese literature is literature, both oral and written, created largely by Vietnamese-speaking people, although Francophone Vietnamese and English-speaking Vietnamese authors in Australia and the United States are counted by many critics as part of the national tradition. For much of its history, Vietnam was dominated by China and as a result much of the written work during this period was in Classical Chinese. Chữ nôm, created around the 10th century, allowed writers to compose in Vietnamese using modified Chinese characters. Although regarded as inferior to Chinese, it gradually grew in prestige. It flourished in the 18th century when many notable Vietnamese writers and poets composed their works in chữ nôm and when it briefly became the official written script. While the quốc ngữ script was created in the 17th century, it did not become popular outside of missionary groups until the early 20th century, when the French colonial administration mandated its use in French Indochina. By the mid-20th century, virtually all Vietnamese works of literature were composed in quốc ngữ. Vietnamese literature is literature, both oral and written, created by Vietnamese-speaking people. ... Old book bindings at the Merton College library. ... Vietnamese (tiếng Việt, or less commonly Việt ngữ[2]), formerly known under the French colonization as Annamese (see Annam), is the national and official language of Vietnam. ... Classical Chinese or Literary Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of very old forms of Chinese , making it very different from any modern spoken form of Chinese. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... The Vietnamese alphabet, called chữ quốc ngữ (script of the national language), usually shortened to quốc ngữ (national language), is the current writing system for the Vietnamese language. ... French Indochina (French: LIndochine française, Vietnamese: Đông DÆ°Æ¡ng thuá»™c Pháp) was the part of the French colonial empire in Indochina in southeast Asia, consisting of a federation of protectorates (Tonkin and Annam, which now form Vietnam, as well as Cambodia and Laos) and one directly...

Some defining works of literature include The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du, and Luc Van Tien by Nguyen Dinh Chieu. The first six lines of the poem written in Chữ Nôm The Tale of Kiều is an epic poem in Vietnamese written by the 18th century writer Nguyá»…n Du (1766-1820), widely regarded as the most significant work of Vietnamese literature. ... Nguyễn Du, 阮攸 (1766–1820), penname Tố Như and Thanh Hi n is a celebrated Vietnamese poet who wrote in Chữ N m, the ancient writing script of Vietnam. ...

Poetry

Legendary female poetess Ho Xuan Huong (born during the end of the 18th century) composed much of her poetry in Chu nom, and most of it has been translated into Quoc ngu for modern Vietnamese. Her poetry continues to be widely popular. Other poets such as the famous Mandarin official Duong Khue had some of his poetry adapted into songs that are still famous today, such as the Ca trù-genre song "Hồng hồng, tuyết tuyết". Hồ Xuân Hương (胡春香) was a Vietnamese poet born at the end of the Lê Dynasty who wrote poetry in the Confucian tradition. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... The Vietnamese alphabet (quốc ngữ or national script) is the current writing system for the national language of Vietnam. ... A Mandarin was a bureaucrat in imperial China. ...

Many Vietnamese poems, along with folk "literature" in general, tends to be much more of an oral tradition - as literacy (as it is defined today) in the past was restricted mostly to scholars and the elite.

See also

• Culture of Vietnam
• History of Vietnam

The culture of Vietnam is one of the oldest in the Southeast Asia region. ... Tây Sơn Dynasty (1778–1802) Nguyễn Dynasty (1802–1945) French Indochina (1887–1954) Empire of Vietnam (1945) Indochina Wars (1945–1975) Democratic Republic of Vietnam State of Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Republic of South Vietnam Socialist Republic of Vietnam (from 1976) List of Vietnamese monarchs // According to...

Notes

1. ^ http://www.vietnamartbooks.com/articles/article.html?id=67 Pottery and ceramics during Chinese rule
2. ^ http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2005/10/501151/
3. ^ http://www.vietnamartist.com/ArtHistory/Arthistory5.aspx
4. ^ http://www.asia-art.net/vietnam_silk.html

External links

• Vietnamese blockwood prints
• Dong Ho Prints
• History of Vietnam including Dong Son civilization
• Brief history of Vietnamese ceramics and pottery