Study Abroad

Spiritual life in Vietnam meshes a full array of philosophies and religions, including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity and Tam Giao, itself a blend of Taoism, popular Chinese beliefs and animism.
In Vietnamese water puppet theatre, performed in a waist-deep pool, wooden puppets are controlled by underwater poles. To audiences, the puppets appear to be walking, dancing and cavorting on water.
In late summer, the Vietnamese celebrate the Day of All Wandering Souls, when the spirits of the dead are said to visit the homes of their descendants.
The weeklong Tet festival heralds the arrival of spring by mixing quiet contemplation with exuberant fireworks displays.
In 1988, Vietnam celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of the country's first recorded poem.
Hailed for its inventiveness, Vietnamese cuisine mixes the influences of France, China and Thailand. Every meal is complemented by the national condiment, nuoc mam, a spicy fermented fish sauce.