Hanoi – a place steeped in the spirit of mountains and rivers for millennia – not only preserves the cultural essence of the capital city from time immemorial, but every street and river seems to bear the imprint of a long-standing tradition. Hanoi itself possesses countless cultural attractions, and the flow of time has not only embellished these cultural landmarks but also forged a resilient and indomitable Hanoi. Especially in the Ho Chi Minh era, the capital truly became a symbol of revolutionary spirit, a place where traditional cultural values and modern sensibilities converge.
According to writer and journalist Nguyen Ngoc Tien, known as the "Historian of Hanoi," the identity or character of the people of Hanoi can be summarized in their lifestyle and behavior. Hanoians have a very elegant, subtle, and refined manner of behaving. Their character can be encapsulated in six words: open-minded, sophisticated, and righteous. Hanoians also possess the common characteristics of Vietnamese people: courage, resilience, tolerance, and harmony... All these qualities are refined and distilled to create a unique lifestyle, manner of behavior, and character of the people of Thang An (Hanoi).
The elegance and beauty of the people of Hanoi in the past were reflected in their standard, gentle pronunciation; their simple, refined attire; their humble and hospitable manner of communication; their refined and calm eating habits; and their constant consideration for elders and deference to juniors. Hanoians valued and cherished family culture and traditions because they were the cradle for shaping future generations of the country. Parents and grandparents always served as exemplary role models for their children and grandchildren to follow.
Over the past 70 years, Hanoi has transformed, becoming increasingly developed and modern, bringing about many changes in the pace of urban life and the lifestyles of its citizens. However, amidst this transformation, many families still preserve the traditions, elegance, and charm of old Hanoians.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education , the elegant culture of Hanoi people is the result of the crystallization of cultural values in lifestyle and behavior over a thousand years of history of the capital city - a land that attracts people, crafts, and shines with all those values.
"The convergence of excellence" is a phrase that highlights the comprehensive nature of Hanoi, the capital city, from its customs and clothing to its culture, art, and architecture, all showcasing the finest elements from all directions. However, the essence of the capital city seems to be most clearly felt in the simple, unpretentious ways of the people of Hanoi. This beauty is not only reflected in their manner of dress, gait, and speech, but also in their conscious effort to beautify themselves and those around them.
According to writer Nguyen Ngoc Tien, the fast-paced life, coupled with the demands of work and countless worries, has caused a certain degree of change in the elegance of modern society, as Hanoi faces many challenges in preserving its old traditions.
"Another factor influencing the changes in lifestyle and cultural behavior of Hanoians is the period after 1954, when we built a new society, and concepts also changed. For example, all religious beliefs were considered outdated and feudal; or elegant customs were seen as bourgeois lifestyles. Fortunately, we later reconsidered and changed those concepts. Lifestyles are not immutable. But even today, despite the influence of external cultures, changes in lifestyles, society, and environment leading to changes in living culture and behavior, I can confidently say that these changes are based on the old. And no matter what, culture, manners, elegance, subtlety, and refinement remain like a flowing ocean current."
"If today's citizens of Hanoi can build 'cultural identities' for Hanoi, then those values will be the spiritual foundation, becoming a very important source of intrinsic strength for the capital to develop sustainably, civilized, and elegantly," affirmed writer Nguyen Ngoc Tien.
Even without the fragrance of jasmine, one is still a person of Hanoi; even without elegance, one is still a person of Thang An. Many might think that in modern Hanoi life, these beautiful cultural traits seem to be fading away. But in reality, many people are still quietly preserving the essence of Hanoi, preserving the indelible mark of the thousand-year-old capital.
Source: https://vov.vn/van-hoa/van-hoa-ha-noi-trong-dong-chay-hoi-nhap-post1126861.vov
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