TRADITIONAL BIRTH CUSTOMS OF VIETNAM AND KOREA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Vietnam and Korea are countries profoundly influenced by Chinese culture since the Middle Ages. Hence, it is not difficult to recognize the cultural similarities between the two nations. This article focuses on comparing the traditional birth customs of the Korean and Vietnamese. The method of document research was used through document analysis combined with comparison and contrast to clarify the content of the research. The results show that the two nations' traditional customs related to childbirth have many similarities from concept to ceremony and time of rituals as well as the principle of naming children. However, these customs are held in different forms associated with the cultural-historical characteristics of each nation. Amid the deepening cooperative exchanges between the two countries, the research results are expected to contribute to strengthening mutual cultural understanding between Vietnamese and Korean nationals.