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VietnameseTranscultural Nursing

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Hello.Presenters:Vickii SibleyRachel David

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VietnamThe Vietnamese culture

is more than 5000

years old.

Vietnam’s history is

characterized by

several dynasties with

influences from French

and Chinese

colonization, resulting

in a rich intermixing of

cultures.

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Vietnamese- AmericansAccording 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

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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.

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ChildbirthMaternity 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".

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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 Buddha’s 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. Right View2. Right Intention3. Right Speech4. Right Action5. Right Livelihood6. Right Effort7. Right Mindfulness8. Right Concentration

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Buddhism stresses disconnection

to the present, especially

materialism and self-importance

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

and not necessarily agreement or understanding

and noncompliance can often be traced back to this misinterpretation of “ya”

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Health and IllnessThe 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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