A stable residence or housing is one of the human essential needs. During the reclamation of the Mekong River Delta, the environment was very severe, filled with miasma and wild animals. The very first condition for those who wished to reclaim a new land to settle down here was a shelter to avoid bad weather and wild animals. The natural and social features have formed the characteristics in the local houses in this place ...
“Do you see the tranquility in this river? It is why the name “Bình Thủy” (tranquil river) of this area came into being,” says the guide to a group of young tourists on a boat floating on water. It is now wavy on Hậu River due to late northeast winds; yet it is quiet and calm in this river branch. Young people spend their spring travels here because of such amazing thing.
It is no coincidence that, scholar Pham Quynh hailed Can Tho city as "La Capitale de L’Ouest" (the Capital of the West) when he first came here in early 1919. Not coincidentally, Nguyen Lien Phong, in his book "The South of the customs and traditions of the performers" published in 1909, concluded.
In his book "Civilization of the Rural Area", Son Nam has praised, "The rural area represents the highest form of material and spiritual activities in the Mekong Delta". This writer, known as "an old man typical of the South", frequently depicts the landscape of Phong Dien District, Can Tho City with the delicate and affluent features. On this Tet holiday, let’s visit this countryside to know more about its traditions and habits via the story of how the locals in Phong Dien District work in their gardens as well as how such activities have contributed to the community.
Can Tho Fine Art has not had a lot of superficial activities over the years, but gradually confirmed its position due to valuable artworks. This is clearly shown in the recent Fine Art Competition in Can Tho City in 2019.
Folk culture is an enormous treasure, including tangible values (architecture, communal houses, temples, pagodas, shrines ...) and intangible ones (customs, practices, and literature). Having existed and developed in the cultural and spiritual life of Vietnamese people, folk culture has accompanied people throughout the history since ancient time. In particular, popular literature is one of the important constituents in folk culture. Among several folklore genres is the riddle- a popular type which most people love because of its excitement and stimulation for public creativity and wisdom.
Tet parallel sentences, or Xuân liên, or liễn Tết are indispensable in some Asian countries in Lunar New Year. This custom features the beauty of spring, helping people to express their dreams of a peaceful and happy life.
Water culture is the common link among Southeast Asian countries. In fact, the culture in Vietnam in general, and in the Mekong Delta region in particular, is situated in that cultural space. How to conserve and develop the water culture in the integration period is an issue raised at the International Conference named "Water Culture in Southeast Asia - Conservation and Development" by Can Tho University.
As the name suggests, the drums are covered with animal skin, usually buffalo and cow skin ... Considered as "drums of the common", their materials and construction are not demanding, so any folk artisan can make them.
An age-old custom of incense offering (also known as thurification or incensation) is considered as one of the distinctive cultural features in the spiritual lives of Vietnamese people.