Vietnamese

Transcultural
Nursing

Hello.
Presenters:
Vickii Sibley
Rachel David

Vietnam
The Vietnamese
culture is more
than 5000 years
old.
Vietnams
history is
characterized by
several
dynasties with
influences from
French and
Chinese
colonization,

Vietnamese- Americans
According to the
2010 census, 1.5
million individuals,
(up 37% since
2000) in the United
States identify as
Vietnamese, with
the highest
concentration
found in California.

Image from CDC.com

Vietnamese

Refugees
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Traditional Vietnamese culture emphasizes respect, harmony and filial

piety. Vietnamese typically have an extended family structure, where
the father is considered head of house hold and the mother handles
house hold responsibilities and management. Children are taught
obedience and respect from a very early age. They are also provided as
much educational success as possible. In Vietnam, parents disciplined
their children through corporal punishment.
The oldest son is responsible for
caring for the parents when
they become elderly, seeing
to their care, and the oldest
daughter is responsible for care
of the household in the absence
of the mother.
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The elders in the Vietnamese family structure were leaders and

decision makers of the family. They are highly respected. Health
care decisions are primary made by the eldest male in the
immediate family, who would also be the spokesperson.

The Vietnamese prefer more personal space than in other cultures,

limiting touching outside of the home. Eye contact is considered
disrespectful.

Childbirt
h
Maternity clients are banned
foods considered cold, like fruits
and veggies and could develop a
nutritional deficiency.
Traditionally men were not
allowed to be present during
childbirth.
There is a moment of
celebration when a newborn
infant cries. This first cry
"proves that it (the newborn)
has a soul".

Vietnamese
culture is
heavily
influenced by
Buddhism,
Confucianism,
and Taoism
with Buddhism
being the
predominant
religion
practiced here
in the United
States.
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Buddhism teachings are

based on Buddhas The
four noble truths:
1. There is suffering.
2. There is cause for
suffering.
3. There is cessation of
suffering.
4. There is path leading
to the cessation of
suffering.
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To achieve enlightenment, the Buddhist must follow the eight-fold path:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right

View
Intention
Speech
Action
Livelihood
Effort
Mindfulness
Concentration

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Buddhism stresses
disconnection to the
present, especially
materialism and selfimportance with an
emphasis placed on
ancestors and their wishes
and what is best for the
family as a whole.
Most Vietnamese think of
time in cycles, events or
occurrences.

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Surgery needles
Drawing blood is feared and even resisted by
Vietnamese Pt
Belief the blood cannot be replaced and will
make them sicker
Surgery is reserved as a last resort
Viewed as upsetting the internal balance
Cause the spirit to leave the body
Some believe injections may hurt the spirit

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 Frequently late for appointments

Feel the illness is a result of spiritual failure, punishment or
karma payback.
Life events could be used in place of calendar dates
Birthdays are celebrated on the Chinese New Year not the exact
date.
Immunization non compliance
Surgery as a last resort
Clients may be more willing to endure hardship or pain quietly
to avoid causing
problems, inconvenience for the family or to disrupt the
harmony
The word yes in English is used to express agreement or
understanding and does not reflect an attitude of
respect or disrespect. However, for the
Vietnamese people, ya indicates respect

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Health and Illness

The Vietnamese view health and illness from 3 different ,
sometimes overlapping, perspectives:
Spiritual
Balance
Western

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BALANCE
"Yin and Yang
Illnesses as well as foods are classified as either hot
or cold. "
The Vietnamese also participate in several different
traditional practices including cupping, coining,
pinching, steaming,
use of herbs etc. Some of these practice
can be mistaken for abuse.

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CUPPING

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COINING

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 Rice, cereal, bread

Vegetables
Fish, tofu, chicken
Low salt, low fat
Iron deficient
The Vietnamese do not
generally have any diet
restrictions, except when
practicing Buddhism. Nuns
and monks are required to
be vegetarians, many
Vietnamese choose to be
vegetarians as well.

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diseases

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