What is the difference between north and south vietnam?

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Travis Huynh

Food, weather, the people accent and in some degree their attitude and customs. The idea that North Vietnamese are more traditional than Southern people is nothing but a stereotype. The North is the craddle of Vietnamese civilization so more historical sites could be found there. And Northern people also like to dress up more, Southern fellows tend to be casual (T-shirts and shorts). Southern people are more "open" in the sense that Americans seem to be easier to make a random conversation than British. But the differences lie just there. Politically, Northern ppl could be more loyal to the government than the South but that's just my guess. Culturally Northern region is more close-tie to Chinese and East Asian culture (Hong Kong, China...) the South is more South East Asian, everything from food, music, pop culture, fashion to lifestyle.

Neighbour

Vietnam has been unified since 1975, none is different, VN people are lovely and friendly

itsamario

the north is a quiet place and is bland and cold. Some stuff to do there, but not as fun as the south. The south is a vibrant place where kids and poeple hang out. night clubs and the food. Food also is the difference maker.

Meow5664

* People:
- In the North: More reserved at the beginning, but once you get to know them well, they are very hospitable.
- In the South: Warm and easier to approach
* Food:
- In the North: Food has very little sugar
- In the South: Poeple use a lot of sugar in their cooking.
* Language: Accent and even some words are totally different. Example: spoon means "thia" in the North while "muong" in the South
* Climate:
- In the North: There are 4 seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter. It is quite cold during winter
- In the South: There are 2 seasons: dry and raining

The above are just some main differences between the South and the North. What important is we are from the same country, and we respect the difference in culture and of people coming from different parts of the country.

MojaveDan

All of Vietnam have common values, customs, etc., but there are some distinctions between North South and even Central Vietnam. North and South Vietnam are one country since the end of the Vietnam War, but there have been and always will be differences between the two parts of Vietnam. The differences are more like California in relation to Texas - both states are in the same country, but certainly have distinct differences.

Ancient Vietnam had been what is now known as North Vietnam, while South Vietnam had been inhabited by the Champa and Khmer empires. The Champa and Khmer were defeated several hundred years ago by the Vietnamese to form what we now know as Vietnam. North and South Vietnam was separated again for about three hundred years due to feuding families and lords. Nguyen Emperor Gia Long defeated all of the feuding factions in the early 1800's to reunite the North and South as one country. Recent history seen North and South Vietnam split AGAIN after the 1954 Geneva Accords, which lead to the Vietnam War. North and South Vietnam was reunited AGAIN after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.

The difference in each region's history as well as being split from each other a few times has created significant differences between the two parts of the country. A good example is physical characteristics. The Vietnamese in Hanoi are almost a cookie cutter copy of each other. Women: jet black hair, around 5' tall, slim. Men: jet black hair, around 5' 4" tall, slim. The Vietnamese in Saigon are much more diverse in physical characteristics. I'm half Vietnamese, and I can blend in with the Saigon natives , but I stick out like a red button on a green shirt in Hanoi.

I can go further in describing the differences between North and South Vietnam, but I believe I am probably giving you more information than you were looking. Feel free to contact me if you want to know more.

Answer to your additional detail:

Both sides were Vietnamese with no significant hereditary difference. What made the North Vietnamese different from the South Vietnamese was economic stature, religious beliefs and desire of one form of government over another.

North Vietnam was controlled under communism while South Vietnam was controlled under a democracy. After the 1954 Geneva Accords, an estimated two million Catholics, land owners and others in North Vietnam moved to South Vietnam. Many feared the communists would kill them if they stayed. Less than 100,000 move from South Vietnam to North Vietnam during the same time.

Who wants to know

There is no different between the North and South of Vietnam when it comes to politic. However, North Vietnamese are more traditional than Southern people. If you asked anyone who were born in the South although their parents originally from the North, they still speak Vietnamese with a Northern accent even though they've never been there. People in the South seem more laid back and out going. Central highlands of Vietnam such as Huáº¿ where people are proper, reserved and the women tend to be shy.

Despite the different in each region, Vietnamese people always stick together. It doesn't matter whether we're from the North, central or the South, where ever we go, Vietnamese people tend to draw to each other. Our country is small but the people are patriotic, respect one another and have big hearts.

CallistasCharge

Notredam, obviously it does bother you when someone gives you a thumbs down, or you wouldn't have checked and posted a response. Not everyone will agree with you on these boards. That doesn't make one person wrong or another person right, that is what a debate is about. So is respecting others peoples' answers, even if you do not agree with them.

Sorry for this folks but I couldn't e-mail him since he is another of the invisable posters....no e-mail, no messaging allowed.

flightmedicine

The area of land. It is one great country. It has 3 different sections. The North, Central and the South. Each has some great different type of scenery and special food. A great place to visit. Only 20 more days and I will do just that. Cheers.

huananduong

The north is in the north of Vietnam and the south is in the south of Vietnam. That's the diffirent

Ben Jeepin

None anymore. Vietnam has been unified since the '70s.

Skydog70

Actually, there IS a difference.. Ho Chi Minh City -Saigon (in the south) is BY FAR the biggest city in Vietnam and defines Vietnam more than anything else.
Hanoi is a mere provincial town in comparison.
In the last 100 years three different countries have occupied Saigon, 1)France, 2)the US, and then 3) Communist Vietnam. Saigon has changed every one of them, maybe all for the better.
During the American war the US had a 15- year shot at occupying Saigon, imprinting our own stamp both ways. Meantime, the communists only occupied the north, and Hanoi its capital.
If the US had really won that war, then North Vietnam would have been like North Korea, very closed off and very strictly communist.
But then Hanoi too got a shot at occupying Saigon for the last 30 years, and even they couldn't hold it down and force it not to bloom. Eventually the city's freewheeling spirit got to them, and for the most part caused them to give up and implement reforms, even in Hanoi etc., so both ends of the country are now opening up, thanks mostly to Saigon.

keronii.com

nothing except the accent

Notredame

Someone voted a thumb down for some good answers. Whoever did that should offer a better answer so we can see why. To me, the answer is pretty good.

Vietnam is united. Whether you like it or not. That's the fact. In that sense, there is no difference.

vintagemale1951

nothing ,

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