Do you think Vietnam is a little China culturally?

你认为越南在文化上和中国相似吗？

以下是Quora网友的评论：

Phen Su

Yes or no

有相似之处，也有不同之处。

First, " Little China" was not invented by the Chinese, but Koreans, Japanese, and Vietnamese. The Little China was a product of a specific historical period.

Ancient China has an advanced culture, which has gradually become the international standard in East Asia. Most countries have absorbed Chinese language and Chinese culture, forming a common Confucian civilization circle. it has never been a civilization unique to China. The Japanese, Vietnamese, and Koreans have all made a lot of contributions to Chinese civilization.

首先，“小中国”不是中国人提出的概念，是韩国人、日本人和越南人提出来的。小中国是特定历史时期的产物。

中国古代拥有先进的文化，逐渐成为东亚地区的国际标准。大多数国家吸收了中文和中国文化，形成了共同的儒家文化圈。这从来不是中国独有的文明。日本人、越南人和韩国人都为中华文明做出了很多贡献。

But in the 13th century, the Mongols ruled China and established the Yuan Dynasty. The Japanese and Vietnamese who defeated the Mongols gained greater national pride. them believed that Chinese culture had been destroyed by the Mongols. They protected the traditions of Chinese culture and since then called themselves Little China.

但是蒙古人在13世纪统治中国，建立了元朝。打败蒙古人的日本人和越南人获得了更强的民族自豪感。他们认为中国文化已经被蒙古人摧毁了。他们保护中国文化的传统，从那时起就称自己为小中国。

The Vietnamese used the idea of " Little China" to establish their own tributary system in Southeast Asia and annexed Champa. The Japanese used the idea of "Little China" to explain their invasion of the Qing Dynasty.

the Chinese culture is not so fragile, the Mongols cannot destroy it, because China is too large, has too many populations, and has too long a history.

越南人利用“小中国”的概念在东南亚建立了自己的朝贡体系，并吞并了占城。日本人用“小中国”的概念来解释他们对清朝的入侵。

中国文化深厚悠远，蒙古人无法摧毁它，因为中国实在太大了，人口众多，历史绵长。

Some people support the idea of "Little China", believing that it can increase national pride. Some people oppose the idea of "Little China", believing that it undermines national pride. This complex idea also reflects the ambivalence of Chinese neighbors. They want to get rid of Chinese influence, but they cannot give up Chinese culture.

一些人支持“小中国”的说法，认为这可以增加民族自豪感。也有一些人反对“小中国”的说法，认为这破坏了民族自豪感。这种复杂的想法也反映了中国邻国的矛盾心理。他们想摆脱中国的影响，但他们无法放弃中国文化。

But these are thoughts left over from history, and they are no longer suitable for modern society. Because Western nationalism has spread to East Asia, people think it is more important to have an independent culture, and the idea of "Little China" has become a negative word. Vietnam and South Korea have completed their de-sinicization, Japan has also absorbed a lot of Western culture. The Chinese have also accepted the influence of nationalism and are also pursuing the uniqueness of Chinese culture.

但这些都是历史了，并不适应现代社会。因为西方的民族主义传播到了东亚，人们认为拥有独立的文化尤为重要，“小中国”就变成了一个负面的词。越南和韩国已经完成了去中国化，日本也吸收了很多西方文化。中国人也接受了民族主义的影响，也在追求中国文化的独特性。

Patrick Koh

No. Both proud nations will say no (partly to be politically correct).

不。这两个骄傲的国家都不会同意这个说法，部分是出于政治正确的考量。

Vietnam too has a very long history, and detest being called a ‘little China’, even though it is influenced politically & culturally, probably the most sinicized neighbor.

Chinese does not view Vietnam as a little China, but respect it as a separate old civilisation with which it has a long history, including a long period of being occupied or a tributary.

So please don’t say Vietnam is a little China, Viets (and Chinese) will not appreciate such condescension. It’s like saying Canada is a little USA or NZ is a little Australia or Ireland is a little UK or Nepal is a little India.

越南本身也有悠久的历史，并不喜欢被人称为“小中国”。虽然越南在政治和文化上受到过中国的影响，可能是最中国化的邻国。

中国人不认为越南是小中国，中国尊重越南这个独立的古老文明，越南有着悠久的历史，只是曾长期被别国占领或作为附属国。

所以请不要说越南是小中国，越南人和中国人都不喜欢你们这种傲慢的姿态。这就好比说加拿大是小美国，新西兰是小澳大利亚，爱尔兰是小英国，尼泊尔是小印度。

Vietnamese has shared or adopted much of Chinese culture over 2000 years, from written script, names, customs, lunar calendar, architecture, religions, Confucius or family values, etc. A Chinese visiting Vietnam and their homes would be amazed how similar they are. Culturally and economically, both are close, and if history had been kinder, they could have been closer politically today.

2000多年来，从文字、姓名、习俗、农历、建筑、宗教、儒家思想或家庭价值观等，越南人沿用了中国的许多文化。中国人去到越南会惊讶于两国是多么的相似。在文化上和经济上，两国都很接近，如果历史上更融洽一些，今天两国在政治上也会更亲近。

So who I wonder is asking such a question and why?

Now let us briefly look at various factors for China-Vietnam relationship:

所以我想知道究竟是谁出了这样一个问题，为什么？

下面，我们来简单分析一下中越关系的各个方面：

Vietnam has a long history with China.

越南与中国有着悠久的历史。

Certain ‘Yue’ tribes associated with modern day Vietnamese has a history way back during the Qin dynasty, and through most dynasties. The latest unpleasant episode would be Sino-Vietnam war during the Cold War period (as well as disputes over South China Sea). But overall relationship are good at political and economic levels today.

The true history of Vietnam proper as said by their own experts starts in Red delta, Tonkin (North Vietnam), and is separate from the tribes of South China. Old Vietnam was often occupied, a tributary or under strong influence of Chinese dynasties.

某些“越”部落的历史可以追溯到秦朝，并贯穿历史上大多数王朝。两国闹不和是冷战时期爆发的中越战争以及南海争端。但总体而言，现在两国之间的政治和经济关系还算良好。

正如越南国内专家所说，越南真正的历史始于红河三角洲（北越），和中国南方的部落开始分离。古越南经常被中国占领，沦为附属国或受到中国各朝代的强势影响。

Possibly the most sinicized, it adopted most of the practices and knowledge of its bigger neighbor. From a highly contentious and intertwined history, Vietnam does not see itself as any ‘little China’ although its dynasties and culture were modelled or similar.

Qing held France off for some time, but gradually lost its influence to the French. After the Vietnamese defeated the French and the Americans, Vietnam has been fiercely independent and the strongest militarily in ASEAN.

越南可能是被中国同化程度最高的国家，它沿习了中国这个强大邻国的大部分体制和文化。从高度争议和相互影响的历史来看，尽管越南的王朝和文化都模仿中国，和中国相似，但越南并不认为自己是“小中国”。

清朝曾设法抵御法国的入侵，但慢慢败下阵来。越南打败法国和美国之后，越南完全独立，并且拥有了东盟最强大的军事力量。

Politically

政治方面

They are quite similar with a strong chinese..

General Giap settled the borders with China after the last war; Vietnam was one of first to support China in the T crackdown; and has supported China in most international agendas. For the future of China-Viet relationship, I hope for better friendship but the SCS dispute may remain highly sensitive for decades. Whilst ASEAN is a positive moderating factor, Vietnam may be tempted to play the USA card.

越南跟中国经济非常相似。

武元甲将军在上一场战争后解决了越南和中国的边界问题：越南在大多数国际事务中都支持中国。对于中越关系的未来，我希望两国能缔结更亲密的友谊，但南海争端在未来几十年内都可能十分敏感。虽然东盟是一个积极的缓和因素，但越南可能还是会靠向美国。

Physically

地理位置方面

Forever neighbors; linked by a long land border; with bridges, roads and soon, a high speed rail. Three major crossings, but there are many border towns like below, where I heard people just walk over for shop.

两国是永远的邻居；共有漫长的陆地边境；两国之间有桥，有路，很快还会开通高铁。两国之间有三个主要的过境点，但边境城镇不少，比如下面的地方，据说人们可以走到另一个国家采买。

People - similar traits as most Southern Chinese and other minority tribes, and sometimes hard to differentiate. Various ‘yue’ tribes and also Vietnamese has mingled with Chinese blood for a long time. Viets are Austroasiatic with some Tai, with 51 ethnic groups but the main ethnic Kinh (86%) do have a percentage of Chinese blood.

越南人跟多数中国南方人和其他少 数民族部落十分相似，有时很难区分。“越族”部落和越南人长期以来一直和中国人通婚融合。越南是南亚人和傣族人的后代，有51个民族，但主要的民族京族（86%）确实有一定比例的中国血统。

Economically

Vietnam is in AIIB, China-ASEAN partnership, One Belt, and also has free trade agreements with China. They are doing well as economic partners, and cross border trade is booming.

经济方面

越南加入了亚投行、中国-东盟伙伴关系、“一带一路”，并与中国签署了自由贸易协定。作为经济伙伴，他们表现出色，两国的跨境贸易正在蓬勃发展。

Culturally

Rather close, and similar in many ways, although they do have their own language and culture, they are considered as sinicized - customs, beliefs, cuisines, literature, written script, etc. Today, I understand Viets watch a lot of Chinese dramas, except they are dubbed. Many things are similar, because they are neighbors for so long.

文化方面

虽然越南人有自己的语言和文化，但他们被中国同化了——习俗、信仰、美食、文学、文字等。今天，我知道越南人喜欢看中国电视剧。两国有很多相似之处，因为他们比邻太久了。

Diplomatically, I will say Vietnam is a smaller cousin by culture. If they did not have so much problems from the last 3 to 4 decades, they could become allies. China and Vietnam are very close culturally, far closer or sinicised than even Korea and Japan.

在外交方面，越南是中国的小老弟。如果过去三、四十年没有遇到那么多问题，两国可能会成为盟友。中国和越南在文化上非常接近，甚至比韩国和日本更接近或更中国化。

So What About the Cultural Similarities?

Have a look at some pictures below, all Vietnamese, but you can see the similarities with Chinese culture.

那么文化相似性呢?

来看看下面的一组照片，这些照片都是越南的，但可以看出和中国文化的相似之处。

Vietnamese food - noodles (and many cuisine and sauces, style of cooking, kitchen ware and chopsticks).

越南食物-面条，会有许多菜肴和酱汁，烹饪风格，厨房用具和筷子。

Vietnamese girl. Many look so similar.

越南女孩。很多女孩看起来都很相似。

Beliefs. Similarities in beliefs, religions, ancestor worship and temples.

信仰。两国民众在信仰、宗教、祭祖和寺庙等方面都很相似。

Architecture. A palace/ fort that looks Chinese in design (Nguyen Dynasty).

建筑。这是一座和中国神似的宫殿/堡垒（阮朝）。

Imperial Practice and Governance. Imperial Dress in Nyugen Dynasty

皇权与统治。阮朝皇帝的服饰

Below is a great chart showing similarities across East Asia. Line 1 is Viet, Line 3 as reference is China.

下图是一个显示整个东亚相似之处的大图。第一行是越南，第三行是中国。

Finally, we do have differences.

The Vietnamese do enjoy French style coffee, an alien beverage Chinese has yet to appreciate.

Vietnamese do love their local as well as foreign cigarettes, but Chinese prefer their own hundred brands. But they are the same culturally, in that they smoke too much.

最后，我们之间确实也有不同之处。

越南人喜欢法式咖啡，这是一种中国人还喝不太惯的外来饮料。

越南人喜欢本国香烟，也喜欢外国香烟，但中国人更喜欢自己的上百种香烟品牌。但他们在文化上是相同的，都抽得挺凶。

Thuy Nguyen

No.

Vietnam has its own culture and language. However Vietnam is open to adoption of better parts of other cultures irrespective of their origines.

China is a giant, colonizing neighbour and the consequence is:

Vietnam adopted most of Traditional Confucius teachings.

不是。

越南有自己的文化和语言。但无论其根源，越南对其他文化的精华一直抱着开放的态度。

中国是个大国，所以：越南吸纳了大部分儒家思想。

Vietnamese learned the construction principle of Chinese characters and applied that principle to make their own Chử Nôm so that they can read and understand Vietnamese spoken language.

越南人学习了汉字的造字原理，并创造了自己的喃字，让越南人得以阅读和理解越南口语。

Vietnam were quite early to learn how to make cannons from the Portuguese. Ho Nguyen Trung passed this knowledge on to the Ming dynasty after his surrender to China.

越南很早就向葡萄牙人学习如何制造大炮。何阮忠在投降中国后将这一技术传给了明朝人。

During the European Colonialist period, Vietnamese adopted Latin phonetic notations resulting in Vietnam’s tremendous rise in literacy. This also allows Vietnamese to anchor the pronunciation of both Vietnamese and Hán Việt words (through detailed description of tongue, lips, mouth positions) while Chinese pronunciation of their ideographic words have demonstratably drifted, such as “Ngộ” (meaning I in Hongkong) has drifted into “Ộ”.

欧洲殖民时期，越南人吸纳了拉丁语的音标符号，使得越南人的识字率大幅提高。这也使得越南人能够固定越南语和汉越词的发音（通过对舌头、嘴唇、嘴巴位置的详细描述），而中国表意词的发音已经明显变化，例如“Ngộ”(在香港的意思是“我”)已经变成了“Ộ”。

So Vietnam is NOT a miniature China. It is the place for combining and storing the best features of various cultures, China had contributed significantly to Vietnamese culture but Vietnamese culture is quite different from Chinese culture.

所以越南并不是中国的缩影，而是吸收融合了各种文化精华的地方，中国对越南文化做出过重大贡献，但越南文化与中国文化有着很大不同。