♦ Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong

Factors shaping the elegance of Hanoians

 

thươngHanoi’s favorable location and natural conditions

 

thươngHanoi occupies a strategic position with favorable natural conditions. As a major transportation hub, it has long facilitated trade and the development of urban life, becoming a destination that attracts residents from many different regions to settle and make a living. These migrants brought with them customs and lifestyles from their original homelands and, based on the realities of Hanoi, adapted and transformed them accordingly. This process enriched and diversified the material and spiritual life of Hanoians.

 

thươngHanoi as a center of cultural and historical depth with strong regional influence

 

thươngThe cultural and humanistic environment of Thang Long – Hanoi has not only been a point of convergence but also a place for training and nurturing talent for surrounding regions. Rich cultural activities and positive customs have created a favorable environment for the emergence and development of talents in politics, the military, culture, arts, medicine, and education. These individuals embody the finest qualities of the Vietnamese people and of Hanoians in particular. They become exemplary role models whose virtues spread widely, gradually forming shared ways of life, modes of thinking, and patterns of behavior that shape the character of Hanoians. Hanoians are fortunate to benefit from the interaction between scholarly culture and folk culture, which together create a distinctive elegance in their social conduct.

 

Visitors participating in the Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival

 

thươngHanoi’s developed economic and social conditions

 

thươngEven before becoming the political center, and during periods when Vietnamese feudal dynasties did not choose Thang Long – Hanoi as the capital, the city nevertheless remained a major economic center and a bustling, prosperous urban area with the largest population compared to other localities nationwide. Economic and social development has been both a favorable condition and a driving force, requiring Hanoians to cultivate refined and civilized ways of thinking and behavior as higher expressions of development.

 

thươngHanoi’s status as the capital

 

thươngThang Long – Hanoi served as the imperial capital of successive Vietnamese feudal dynasties for nearly a thousand years, and at other times functioned as the administrative center of colonial regimes. As a result, Hanoi has always received special attention and become the representative face of the nation. Hanoians therefore take pride in their city and continuously strive to cultivate and enhance noble qualities worthy of their role as citizens of the capital. In the process of international exchange and integration, Hanoi, as the capital, hosts numerous diplomatic activities and welcomes many foreigners for work and tourism. This context requires Hanoians to further refine their conduct in presenting themselves to international friends. At the same time, it offers favorable conditions for learning positive values from abroad and adapting them appropriately to the role of capital citizens who represent the broader Vietnamese community.

 

thươngThus, with favorable natural, economic, and social conditions, Hanoians have been able to maximize advantages, selectively absorb, and crystallize the finest values of Vietnamese people, forming a distinctive character unique to this city.

 

The concept of “elegance”

 

thươngThere are many different approaches to understanding the “elegance” of Hanoians. In Distinctive Personality Traits of the People of Thang Long – Hanoi, scholar Pham Tat Dong compiled and analyzed opinions from researchers who contributed to the conference Hanoians: Elegant and Civilized, organized under Program KX.09. Most viewpoints affirm that elegance has been a traditional hallmark of Hanoians from the past to the present. For Hanoians, elegance has accumulated and crystallized over generations. It is not merely a concept, but a positive and tangible presence, expressed concretely in the daily lives of Hanoians both historically and today. Notably, many scholars emphasize that elegance is not only an external manifestation but also contains the core essence of national cultural identity.

 

thươngAccording to various authors, “thanh” denotes purity, refinement, and freedom from vulgarity or rudeness, while “lich” refers to politeness, sophistication, and courteous conduct. Other interpretations suggest that “thanh” reflects moral and emotional nobility, inner purity, integrity in relation to social wealth, simplicity and moderation in daily life, and grace in gestures and speech. “Lich” encompasses worldliness, experience, tact, courtesy, and a certain level of knowledge and education. Researcher Nguyen Vinh Phuc considers elegance to be the most fundamental quality of Hanoians, describing it as a cultural way of life expressed in clothing, interpersonal relations, speech, actions, and conduct both within the family and in society at large."[1].

 

thươngElegance is also reflected in the character of Hanoians. In communication and social interaction, it appears through clear and refined language, gentle and measured manners, and respect for others as well as for oneself. In professional activities, elegance is seen in skillfulness and craftsmanship. In cultural life, it is expressed through refined tastes in food and dress, sensitivity to beauty, the pursuit of tasteful leisure activities, and a rich array of folk festivals that demonstrate a high level of cultural life. In lifestyle, elegance manifests as simplicity, moderation, kindness, and respect for established norms. Beyond this, elegance is conveyed through a sense of romantic grace, an artistic demeanor, a respect for learning and moral values, and a strong desire for knowledge,...

 

(To be continued…)

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[1] Ha Dinh Duc (2005), Proceedings of the workshop "Elegant and Civilized People of Hanoi".