This fact, as well as historically higher mortality rates among infants and adults in Vietnam, can make the Vietnamese view death more as a normal part of life. The family is an important component of religion. Other end-of-life care decisions will be discussed in the sections that follow. In the last week, uncle’s condition worsened. From the moment of imminent death until the end of the funeral, key relatives and friends stayed at the home and helped organize everything; from cooking and preparing garb to making arrangements. When uncle took his last breath, the crying began gradually as reality started to sink in. Vietnam has seen growing popularity of expensive smartphones all over, and on top of that, the number one phone accessory is a customized phone number (essentially the equivalent of vanity registration plates in western culture), ubiquitously advertised in any SIM card shop. Most stayed at least long enough to say their condolences and chat. Close friends and relatives spent hours or days with the family, helping to cook, organize, direct the flow of visitors, or just chat about good and bad times, about uncle, and about each other. Each successive memorial was held a little less frequently as the family became more able to resume some form of ordinary routine. They formalize a naturally occurring transition from life to death, providing a structure which facilitates the adaptation of the bereaved, whether this means accepting the permanent departure of a loved one from this life, or restoring the balance upset by the death. For Vietnamese, arranging a proper funeral for a loved one is one of the most filial things a person can do (Phạm Công Sơn, 1996). Mass immigration to the U.S. began in 1975 with the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War (often referred to as the American War by Vietnamese). With Buddhism, they practice a lot of chanting, it may be happening in the background continuously. Three days after the funeral, the support and intense grieving that they needed returned. In Vietnam, everyone’s buried. These are the usual rituals used to honor the dead ancestors. Not … Money, flowers, and wreaths were donated according to the guest’s ability and closeness to the family. In reality, a culturally proper funeral is more than an empty gesture to the dead, it helps the living to grieve and go on with life. Minnesota was home to 23,000 foreign-born Vietnamese in 2013, who largely arrived in the 1980s. Beliefs in astrology, geomancy, and the intervention of spirits in human life are all widespread. Most Vietnamese people are Christians or Buddhists. The next gathering occurred 51 days later, on the 100th day after death, then 265 days later, on the first anniversary of the death; and finally a whole year later. Ethnic communities in the nation also retain particular beliefs associated with their own economic and spiritual life. Community Reviewer(s): Kim Lundgreen; Edited by Scott Beveridge. The idea is that people can exclude unlucky numbers (such as seven) and preferably includes lucky … Relatives and friends who came to pay their respects stood in front of the altar, burned incense, and quietly said a prayer for uncle or said goodbye, or had whatever private conversation they wished to have with uncle at that moment. Most everybody in Vietnam has a ghost story, from a butterfly landing on them during a funeral to strange voices at night. Back at home, a feast prepared by relatives and neighbors was served. This would be the first time since uncle was dying that they left his side. Generally, it is two years for immediate family members. Again, because there is such variation in acculturation and beliefs among Vietnamese, clinicians and providers should remain attuned to these variations. Uncle was left lying in state at home for several hours to wait for an auspicious time and for the other close friends and relatives to arrive. A prayer service was held before we moved the coffin. They wore this for two years. The deceased’s memory is not erased and the family still observes the anniversary of the death each year. Many Vietnamese people see death as a natural phase of the life cycle. We spent most of the time with each other. Indian influence is most evident among the Cham and Khmer minorities. Grandchildren showed him how well they did in school. However one may choose to interpret death rituals, they constitute a dramatization of a worldly event, death, in the presence of and in reference to the sacred. Vietnam - Vietnam - Ethnic groups: Vietnam has one of the most complex ethnolinguistic patterns in Asia. Removing the coffin from the home was another emotional peak in the ebb and flow of grief. This is perhaps multifactorial, attributable to older adults’ reliance on their children for interpretation and the possibility that their children may be uncomfortable with the subject matter. The whole community; family, relatives, friends and neighbors, got together and renewed ties. Again, they shared meals with close friends and relatives and reminisced about events of uncle’s passing as well as everything else in their lives. The author performed a literature review and incorporated published literature, interviewed health care providers experienced in end-of-life care, and drew from her own clinical experience. All uncle’s grandchildren, ages eighteen months to eleven years, were brought home to see him and remained there. Disability Exception for Citizenship (N-648). For the past thousands of years until today, “non la” has been an integral part of Vietnamese life. Each successive wave of deep public grieving takes the deceased a little farther away from the living; from lying as if a asleep on a cot among family, to being put away in a closed coffin- a symbol of the deceased, to being buried under ground, separated from the family by layers of dirt, and finally, being left behind in the graveyard among the dead. Meanwhile, Vietnam city life is not as simple and traditional as that in the countryside. My aunt, cousins, and the older grandchildren sobbed bitterly and were reluctant to leave the gravesite. Uncle would be leaving home for the last time. During the mourning period, the bereaved, depending on their relationship to the deceased, are prohibited from marrying or wearing brightly colored clothing. All manners of grief were shown; from stoic solemnity to weeping, crying, sobbing and screaming. After a time, the children were taken away. The burning of mourning clothes signifies the incorporation of the bereaved into the normal course of life. Cultural influences in late-life care became particularly evident with the passing of the 1990 Federal Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA).12 Case … Vietnamese folk religion is the dominant religion in Vietnam. Although many death rituals are burdened with rules and can be costly, the long-term effects they may have on participants are far from etherial. Family is the most important aspect of life in Vietnam. So the clinician may need to specifically inquire of the patient about presenting information and discuss the family’s preference for what information they feel the older adult may want to have. Issues related to “Do Not Resuscitate” orders or removal of feeding tubes was usually not considered (Braun & Nichols, 1996). The last stage, leaving the deceased in company of the ancestors, creates a sense of continuity, a feeling that the deceased is actually going somewhere to be among other loved ones. In Vietnam Spiritual Life Vietnamese people have long believed in the existence of a supernatural world. Confucian scholars, who prided themselves for their rationality, often scoffed at what they considered the superstitious nature of peasant religion. The coffin remained in the family home for three days, and relatives, in-laws, neighbors, and colleagues of my aunt, uncle, and cousins came and paid their respects. Plants, animals and man are believed to have souls. The closest relatives and family went back to the cemetery to bring flowers and incense to the gravesite, say more prayers, and clean up the site. The cost of living in big cities is high, thus, city-dwellers who have low incomes have to work hard, even … After the first year, there was the first annual anniversary of the death. By the time the funeral was over, family members were physically and emotionally spent. Vietnamese folk literature came into being very early and had a profound effect on the spiritual life of the Viet. The author, a community health and hospice clinician, has over 30 years’ experience with hospice care. To the bereaved, the image of the deceased as part of this world is still fresh in their minds and recedes itself into another world only gradually. Besides that, ancestor worship is another tradition of Vietnamese; there are shrine and altar of a family ancestor in every home, even for people with Catholics beliefs as long as there are no … Each memorial forced the family to burden others with their sorrow” so that they could grieve fully. Just before leaving the gravesite, the family again became very emotional. In cities, life is thought to be modern, but complicated. When this formal mourning period is over, it is permissible for the bereaved to plan major life changes such as marriage. The food of the north, through stir-fries and noodle-based soups, shows th… Vietnamese have one of the lowest rates of hospital attendance or visits to a doctor of any group in Australia ; many Vietnamese immigrants may continue to use traditional methods of healing in conjunction with western medicine; the elderly may not trust western medicine and … Here is the convergence of people from all regions. It is much more interdependent and tight-knit than what many Western cultures are familiar with. Overview. IRT. The “family unit” itself generally includes a larger nexus of relationships. Buddhism was founded by a privileged prince in what is now Nepal. Millions of people gather in big cities to seek the opportunities and hope of having a better life and future for themselves and their children. Many types of noodles and noodle soups are popular here. The socially prescribed rituals from the time of death until the end of the mourning period are designed to provide a structure for the grief process. The belief that suffering in the present decreases suffering in the next life may prevent Vietnamese from health-seeking remedies or preventive care. Here was yet another chance for mourners to say goodbye, and another outpouring of grief occurred. In 1994, my uncle was diagnosed with liver cancer that had spread all over his abdomen. The two forms developed simultaneously and are profoundly interrelated. But t… Buddhist beliefs in karma that interpret difficult deaths as punishment for bad deeds in former lives by the dying person or another family member. A family member kept vigil over the coffin at all times. Meanwhile, in the city, everything is much different. There is a common belief among many Vietnamese “traditional Buddhists” that by taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, they would not be born into the lower realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals. Before leaving the cemetery, they burned incense and paid their respects at the graves nearby: all our great-grandparents’, grandparents’, aunts’, uncles’ and cousins’. My aunt was consulted on important decisions. Today, we look at Buddhist end-of-life practices. These preparations include setting aside money to pay for the burial, choosing a burial site with a favorable orientation in accordance with the laws of feng shui, buying a coffin, and even buying or having burial clothes made long before they are actually needed. Vietnamese literature includes two major components: folk literature and written literature. The closest friends and relatives remained with the family for a quiet time of prayer and contemplation. Death looked imminent and the family took turns so that someone was at uncle’s bedside at all times. Th… On the west, Vietnam is bordered by Laos and Cambodia, and to the north, lies China. End-of-Life Care: The Vietnamese Culture Dying is one of life’s unique experiences. The cohesiveness and health of the family unit is often a main imperative. Rice is a staple of the region. It is a lasting impression for everyone visiting Vietnam… The teachings have encouraged the fond of learning, love for the society and love for family. The transition period for the bereaved has ended. Many parts of them come from different regions throughout the country, maybe the rural deltas, the highlands or the remote areas. Please refer to the introduction to this blog series for general advice. See Notes for health workers Health Utilisation . The Culture Connection blog series covers various customs and practices that someone involved in end-of-life care might encounter. It was reported in the Hawaii study that few Vietnamese older adults were aware of their options with regard to advance directives. These ends are connected by a mountainous spine that runs along the South China Sea. The only thing not acceptable would have been laughing. They come here to earn their living, and better their children life. The family took turns keeping a vigil over the body at all times. related activities are looked down upon. Many Vietnamese traditions and customs are based around their ancestral beliefs. Before uncle was moved into the coffin, a prayer service was held. The youngest ones showed him the newest “tricks” that they had learned. Even though Vietnamese older adults may prepare for the rituals of death, active end-of-life care planning is a foreign and unfamiliar undertaking for most Vietnamese families. These include: an aversion to dying in the hospital because of the belief that souls of those who die outside the home wander with no place to rest, Further, Vietnamese immigrants in the United States are influenced by spiritual beliefs linked not only to Catholicism or Buddhism, but also to Taoism, animism, and Confucianism. Since filial responsibilities are weighed heavily in the Vietnamese culture, and proper death rituals according to one’s abilities are important, death rituals give the bereaved a final chance to make it right by the deceased and thus provide a sense of continuity as well as final closure. After the end of the Vietnam War in 1976, ... popular across the country. Later, we would reminisce about the events of uncle’s last week and what each surviving family member was able to do for him. At the end of life, many Vietnamese people prefer to stay in the home and the entire family wants to be around their loved ones those last few days in the imminent stage. It reinforced a new social order and also provided opportunities for more private grieving, since inevitably, when offering food to uncle’s spirit, the family remembered what he liked or did not like while living. Following the local custom, twenty-four hours after death, there was a cleansing ritual, and her … It exhibits great diversity but can be classified into three primary categories pertaining to the north, south, and central regions of the country. Life in the city is not as simple and traditional as that in the countryside but it is considered to be modern and complicated. Disclaimer: EthnoMed is designed for educational purposes only and is not rendering medical advice or professional services. All the grandchildren were present and they all cried, even the eighteen month old baby. These ethical principles function to guide a Buddhist toward the … The flavors of Vietnamese food range from spicy and sour to sweet. In Vietnam, Confucianism is a way of life rather than religious beliefs. Much love and care was put into making him look presentable. Any medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctors. Whatever the intent, know that families may not be forthcoming with reasons. Continuity and Change in Vietnam in Beliefs, Values and Lifestyles A cousin who is a doctor came daily to take uncle’s blood pressure and give medical advice. This provided another chance for us to say goodbye. Finally, death rituals give the bereaved one last opportunity to make amends and say “I love you” and “goodbye.”. This attitude toward death may be influenced by the fact that older adults are highly respected in Vietnamese culture, and therefore, aging and death may not conjure up as many negative connotations as within Western cultures. Vietnam is a long, skinny country stretching from Hanoi and the Red River in the north to Ho Chi Minh City and the fertile Mekong River Delta in the south. On the second anniversary, these clothes would be burned to signify that the mourning period was over. Traditional beliefs With the perception that anything that owns a soul, the ancient Vietnamese have worship many gods, especially those related to agriculture such as the sun, the moon, the earth, the forest , the river and the mountain... for their peace. Very few important decisions, For example, reverence for ancestors and the use of home altars, where homage is paid to family ancestors, are common even among Vietnamese Christians. At the gravesite, another service was held. The frequency of the rituals in the first 100 days forced the family to think of and treat uncle as a dead ancestor. Now they were all “grieved out.” They needed some time to themselves. An altar was set with a photograph, candles, and incense. An aunt cooked him his favorite dishes while knowing that he might not eat much. Death is an inevitable and frequent event in the renal setting. In the first hundred days after the death, food was presented on the altar before each meal. M… So life was regulated by a vast array of beliefs and practices, taboos and injunctions, all designed to leash in these powers that held sway over human life. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Minnesota cities were not among the top 10 U.S. metropolitan areas with Vietnamese populations. In the first three to five days after death, before the funeral takes place, the bereaved grieve in waves; at times deeply and intensely, with quiet moments to work through their feelings in private and to reconnect and receive social support from family, friends, and the community. People from many distinctive areas move to the cities with a view to having a better life for them and their children. Issues surrounding death and dying are always difficult regardless of cultural background, but attitudes toward end-of-life issues are diverse among different cultural backgrounds. We wept and cried and talked to uncle in private. After a short ordination, the abbot gave her a certificate of Three Refuges. Prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Europe in 2009 has risen to ∼932 per million population, carrying with it a 5-year survival probability of 48% [ 1 ]. Vietnamese Culture - health and health practices. Soy sauce, fish sauce, mint, and basil are popular ingredients. Not all people in Vietnamese cities are native residents. An Introduction to Buddhism. Furthermore, the incidence of ESRD is increased 3- to 4-fold in a number of ethnic minority groups [ 2 ]. Some of these most common folk religions include: The elaborate details of death rituals require extensive and intensive involvement of the family social network and the whole community. As they went from grave to grave, they felt more at peace with the thought that uncle would be in good company, so to speak. They all said goodbye for the last time. Death rituals also serve as tools for humankind to transform death from a defeat of life to a stepping stone to another, perhaps better, place, and thus create a continuity beyond death itself. My cousins sent word to all those who were special to uncle to come and say goodbye. Always remember that there are At home, incense was burned on the altar every day to remember and respect uncle. When this concluded, family and relatives cried and called out for uncle again, saying goodbye yet again. For instance, concepts of reincarnation prevalent among Buddhists, ancestor worship, and the belief of going to heaven after death, may cause death to be viewed as something fortunate, and fitting with life’s natural cycle. Each used their talent to “serve” uncle. It reminded the family that the transition of uncle from being among us to residing with dead ancestors was complete. We spent very brief moments with uncle, mindful of his diminishing strength. Before closing the lid of the coffin, the family had another opportunity to see uncle for the last time. The Vietnamese majority was significantly Sinicized during a millennium of Chinese rule, which ended in 939 ce. Then, for the next 49 days, the family held a memorial service every seven days. Cultural beliefs related to death and dying: There are a number of cultural beliefs that are likely to affect decisions at the end of life for Vietnamese older adults and their families. After absorbing the nature of uncle’s prognosis, the family took him home. Most guests left shortly after the burial to return to uncle’s home for the feast. Variations within the Vietnamese culture occur between regions, religious affiliations, ethnic backgrounds, etc. These include: © 2021 Stanford School of Medicine | Terms of Use | Folk religions are commonly based on this mixture of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism as well as local beliefs that have been intertwined and incorporated over centuries. A person’s attitude toward death and bereavement is shaped to a large extent by their cultural heritage, religious practices, and family unit. Some Vietnamese families may also prefer that the diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness not be disclosed directly to an older family member to prevent additional stress for the older adult, making informed consent and decisions regarding code status awkward. Since I am a nurse, I searched all over town for some morphine to relieve his pain. Close friends and relatives came and went frequently during this last week. In a study conducted in Hawaii by Braun and Nichols (1996), both Christian and Buddhist Vietnamese participants said that preparations for death included praying and preparing wills for distribution of property. The Mahayana tradition of Buddhism is dominant in Vietnam, and over 70 percent of Vietnamese consider themselves at least nominally Buddhist. In a concrete sense, death rituals can also recreate social order by communicating, through the rules of who does what in the rituals, who is now to take the place of the deceased. The length of the mourning period depends on the relationship between the deceased and the bereaved. Because death is usually unexpected, it often leaves family members and friends with unfinished business with the deceased. How much and in what way religion guided one's daily conduct depended on one's background. Religious Beliefs. an aversion to dying in the hospital because of the belief that souls of those who die outside the home wander with no place to rest.
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