TABLE OF CONTENT I INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale 2. Objective of study 3. Methodology 4. Scope of study 5. Structure of study II BODY 1.

1. Background information of celebration for longevity 2. History of celebration for longevity 3. Preparations before celebration for longevity 4. Rituals and activities 5. Special characteristics 6. Some changes 7. Advice for visitors III CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Conclusion 2. Recommendations REFERENCES SOME PICTURES ABOUT CELEBRATION FOR LONGEVITY

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Rationale Assignment 5A is about ceremonies and festival in Viet Nam. We chose funeral of Kinh people because it is very interesting, useful and important to tourism students. When we have the knowledge about funeral, we can introduce this ceremony for tourist to they know more about Vietnamese customs. We have to find all information about funeral: history, preparation, ritualand total them to introduce about customs. This assignment will be evaluated as one essential condition to take part in the final exam. The main purposes of this exercise is to direct students towards tourism-oriented activities, to sharpen our communicate skills and to enhance our writing skills. To complete this assignment we must share the work among group members. Each of us has to do one part of this assignment such as: searching information, scanning, note taking, summary writing, collecting, editing and making a full version. It is not only important to student but also to tourism industry. This assignment advertises Vietnamese customs to everyone in the world. It trains tourism staff more culture knowledge. 1.2 Objectives of the study This assignment will help us to understand more about customs and culture in some regions of Vietnam. Like funeral of Kinh people, before we knew about this ceremony but not enough, now we knew more and clearer about history, how to prepare and rituals... Moreover, this assignment will improve the pride of us about Vietnamese culture, we will understand: it is a part important of Vietnamese life. We have to keep and maintain them. After assignment we will learn more about English skills (writing, team working, reading...). We are interested in exploring and introducing them. Hopefully, this assignment gives you useful and new information. We hope it will be an interesting book with everyone.

1.3 Methodology To complete this assignment in the best way, we had to searched and selected information from many different sources to have a best result. Firstly, we searched all information about funeral of the different ethnic in internet, books, online newspapers or stories. Then, we decided the topic and chose the main ideals and do the outline. Next we divided the work for 4 members in the group. In the process of doing assignment, we gave others member that we had and we actively asked grandparents, parents for real information because they had experience. After all of us finished our work, we sum up all the part and agreed the words used in this assignment. Finally, we shared and read all the assignment and added some information, repaired mistake the last time. 1.4 Scope of the study Kinh people is popular ethnic in Vietnam so in this assignment, our topic is traditional funerals of Kinh people because it has many information.We decided to do about funerals in Northern of Vietnam. 1.5 Structure of the study. This assignment included 2 part: Writing a report and Take an oral presentation. Written study divided into 3 main chapters: Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations. Chapter I: Introduction included Rationale, Objectives of the study, Methodology, Scope of the study and Structure of the study. Chapter II: Body separated Background information of the assigned ceremony, History of the ceremony, Preparations before the event, Rituals and activities, Special characteristics, Some changes, Advice for visitors attending these events, Some typical features of that places. Chapter III: Conclusion and Recommendations. Beside these, this study also had References and Appendix. Oral presentation will be showed before class.

CHAPTER II. BODY 2.1. Background information.

From ancient times, Vietnamese people living with the concept: people are born, grow up, get married, have children, have success,...and finally also follow the rules of birth, aging, illness and death. Because of accepting death as a rule, the Vietnamese receive the death in the spirit of the initiative in buying coffin, built the tomb for them in life. People also believe that life on earth is just temporary and death is not the end. The soul, for that person dies the soul will live in another place, where soul activities as well as in life. Although there are many view of death, the funeral is a form to express our gratitude and compassion of the living for the dead. And Vietnamese funeral is part of filial piety which children are available to parents and grandparents who died. Beside, the way funeral organized in Vietnam is strongly influenced by Chinese ones. But Vietnamese funeral has the differences between religions. Each religion in Vietnam has a different view of death, different funerals organization, so each ethnic group has different rituals, but in this report, we just research on rituals at funeral of Kinh people in Northern of Vietnam.

2.2. History of funeral

No one knows exactly when the funeral appeared in Vietnam, we just only knew that it is deeply influence from China. But all the rituals and activities of Vietnamese funeral were written carefully in Tho Mai Gia Le book. Tho Mai Gia Le was written by author Ho Sy Tan (1690-1760) in the reign of King Le- Lord Trinh.. This book is based on Chu Cong Gia Le that is considered Chinese funeral rituals in the past. But Vietnamese funeral and Chinese ones have obvious differences.

For example, when the King died, all people in the palace have to offer sacrifice. And in that time, most of the fun, the festivals, and the weddings were prohibited. It took a long time from 3months and 10 days to 3 years. Beside, the Ceremony Department took care about the rituals, and Kham Nien Giam selected the date and time of ceremony. Specially, the King was buried with valuable things such as many gold, jewels, That is a typical example of the complex and costly rituals in the past. Although funeral rituals in Tran dynasty had many out of date rules, they are still applied popularly in our modern life. And the rules of funeral became good customs and spiritual meaning day by day.

2.3. Preparations for the funerals.

a, Select operators position for the funerals
To perform well in the funeral ceremonies, family to elect representatives, who like a manager. It is the host and the Tuong Le The host can be the first son, the grandchildren legitimate or a recipient inheritance of the dead. The assistant is wife of the dead or wife of the host. The host chaired the rituals and activities during the funerals, the assistant help the host control cost and chores. The host sometimes does not know many rituals so there are others position to help him. They are called Tuong le, Ho tang, Tu thu, Tu hoa: Tuong Le is the commander, arrangement and decision rituals in the funeral so he must be reputable, widely respected and proficient rituals. Ho Tang usually is members in the family of the dead person who polite, middleaged, understanding rituals. They are the reception in the funerals. Their works is greet, talk to the guests during the funerals. Tu Thu is someone who writes down all stuff like moneys, incense sticks, fruits... the guests bring to funerals to show the sharing with the host. Tu Hoa is like a secretary who writes down the costing during the funerals. After choosing the the importance position, the family have the funerals have to invite shaman to pray to requiem for the dead person. Shaman can be monks or someone who professional in worship. Depending on hosts economic, shaman can be invited in 5

long or short time. In rich families, shaman can be invited to pray from 1 to 3 days till the patients pass away but in poor families, shaman just have to pray when the dead person is put in the coffin.

b, Preparations for the funerals.

After choosing the manager position for the funerals, the family of the dead person have to prepare many things else. Firstly, most of Kinh people believe in religious so that in importance works such as funerals, the rituals must be made at correct time. When a person passed away, members of his/her family will ask the shaman that what date and time appropriate for the dead person and the host age to make rituals. It is really important work because people believe that if the rituals are not made in correct time, it would brings bad luck things to all the family. Then, the family needs to do Cao Pho to inform everybody about the funerals. The Tu Thu has to finish it before the host brings the dead person to the burial place. In the past, there was not have newspapers or medias like today so the family of the dead person had to write it by hand and sent it to relatives, neighborhoods and others member of the family if they live far from home. Cao Pho has to include: The full name, the date of birth and the age of the dead. The date and time the dead person passed away. The date, the time and the place the funerals will be held. The burial place (sometimes) Next, the family need prepare Kinh books. This book have a poem can give the dead person the transcendence according to folk concept. A very importance work is preparing for coffin to put the dead person inside. The coffin usually have rectangular form, usually has a length of from 1.8m to 2 m, just enough for dead lying and a width about from 30cm to 40cm, squeeze it just enough for the dead person because after burial, the body of the dead will bulge out, the coffin squeeze to not let smelly water flow out. The height is about 90cm. But the size of the coffin is not fixed; the size of the coffins is up to the dead person. The family of the dead person usually sets up the size or chooses a coffin before the funerals.

Coffins are usually made of good wood like Gioi wood, Vang Tam wood, Son wood, longans tree, jackfruits tree. The thickness of the wood should big to make a good coffin. The coffin always is painted with red color. Coffins usually are decorated with dragon and cloud. Besides, the family of the dead needs to prepare many thick pieces of hemstitch to insert in coffin. It has many different sizes, from 5 cm to 10 cm in length and the width is big or small up to the size insert position. Kinh people in North Vietnam, almost every home have an altar to worship ancestors. However, during the funeral, the member of the family has to set up an separated altar for who has pass away. In the altar must have a portrait picture of the dead, flowers, incense bowl, incense sticks, candles. Prepare mourning clothes for the member in family. Mourning clothes for men and women in family have the funerals is different but all of them wear white slim cloth outside. Men wear a triangle white hat, it is tied by straw wire; belts are made of straw, which was wrapped around the body; bring a bamboo sticks. Belts for women made by banana leaves; let loose hair and wear a hat around the head. Descendants of the dead person wear white weepers in the head and great-grandchildren wear yellow weepers. Then, the family need to prepare a hearse or from 4 to 8 people to take the coffin to the burial place. In addition, the family needed to hire funerals music band. It usually have instruments like drums, gongs, trumpets... Every time someone pray for the dead person, or when the hosts make a ritual, the band will play accompanied The last importance thing to prepare is the places to bury. In the past, the shaman usually asked where the best place to bury was. The best place is match with age, date of birth and places where buried ancestors in the past. But now, the place to bury is up to authorities or cemetery manager.

c, Preparation for rituals in funerals

In funerals, there are many essential rituals need to do so the family need to prepare things to complete rituals in the best ways. Firstly, there is a ritual named Moc Duc. This is the rituals that the dead person is taken a bath with scented water, lemons and rinses. After finish the rituals, the body of the dead person is put in the bed. Then, put a desk near the bed and put a bowl of filled rice, a boiled egg, chopsticks are plugged in the bowl and burn incense for the dead.

Sometimes, they put a knife in belly of the dead for the purpose chasing evils and demons. Then, Pham Ham will be done after Moc Duc. In this ritual, the family has to prepare clean rice and coins. This ritual has the meaning that the family gives the dead person moneys, rice and something the dead needed when he/she lived, to leave the live people and come to ancestor. It is like a thanks and goodbye to the dead person. Finally, importance rituals named Tieu Liem and Dai Liem. Their means wrap the body of the dead with white fabrics or silk. To make this rituals in traditional ways, member of the dead family have to prepare 10 with fabrics, sinks or more with length of about 14 in folk units length, means about 5.5meters. Today, funeral fabrics is sold is just have 3meters in length.

4. Rituals and activities of funeral ceremony.

"The sense of the dead is that of the final" - says a Vietnamese proverb, implying that funeral ceremonies must be solemnly organized. Therefore, rituals and activities of the funeral are performed very carefully, seriously and formally. After finishing all necessary preparations, family and relatives start to celebrate the main rituals of the funeral. Firstly, family will set up altar to do Kham liem ritual is conducted at the best time which is decided by the shaman. Family members of the deceased will stand in front of the altar in order to Kham liem an action that people pray peaceful for deceased leaving the life forever. After that process, people do next stage that called Nhap quan. In this stage, body of the deceased in put into the coffin straightly and then, somebody not including family and relatives will cover the coffin because people said that. A bowl of rice with an poached egg put above rice and an incense stick is put into centre of the coffin. If the deceased still have parents, people rope a white mourning turban at the head of the coffin. Next, the deceased persons sons, daughters, and daughters-in-law have to wear coarse gauze turbans and tunics, and hats made of straw or of dry banana fiber. The deceased persons grandchildren and relatives also had to wear mourning turbans. During the time of funeral procession, children and grandchildren of the deceased have to wear white mourning turban while great grandchildren have to wear yellow mourning turban.

A shaman or a monk stands in front of or next to the coffin, the deceaseds family stand behind the shaman or the monk to make a ceremony for getting out of bad devils and ghosts. During the days when the dead were still laid out at home, the funeral went on with worshipping and mourning music. All these things are controlled by the host of the funeral. Relatives, neighbors and friends of the dead come to the funeral ceremony, they will bring an envelope of money or mourning wreath or both of them to offer their condolences. If the deceased is not married, they will bring a funeral wreath with full of white flowers and if not, there will be red, yellow and white flowers. Next, they stand in front of the altar or the coffin to take a bow and handle incense sticks to express their regretful to the deceased and family. In addition, They will go around the coffin to see the deceases face last time. And then, they will have time to talk with the deceased's family. This process will probably be more than a day or two days, it depends on plan of family for funeral. The deceaseds family will decide to choose the most important member in family who is host of funeral to speak Dieu van, which is an announcement about profile, important milestones in life, achievements of the deceased s life, time of death, sometimes about reasons for the death such as because of old age, accident, disease and so on. During that moment, family, relatives, friends and guests gather in front of altar and coffin to listen to Dieu van. After finishing Dieu van, people will take coffin to the burial ground. The time to move the coffin depends on the most suitable time which was carefully selected by the Buddhist monk and family. Firstly, there are few people who move the coffin to hearse and wreaths are hanged on sides of hearse. Relatives, friends and children take part in the funeral procession to accompany the dead along the way to the burial ground. The first son or the most important person to the deceased will lead the procession and hold up the picture of the deceased or both of them. Family, relatives and friends walk behind the hearse. Votive papers were dropped along the way to burial ground. At the grave site, the coffin is buried and covered by soil. Each member of family, relatives and friends will take handfuls of dirt and throw it into the burial or above the

cap of coffin to wish peaceful. Next, people put picture on tomb and wreaths surrounded the tomb. Finally, people gather and pray in front of the tomb and then everyone comes back home. In the funeral, especially in rural areas, there is a custom of preparing a large meal for all family members, relatives and friends who have taken part in the funeral. Besides, they are sent gifts as a thankful for joining in the funeral. After the funeral people wait for 3 days in order to celebrate a small ceremony Family invite relatives, friends to have a party to say goodbye to the deceased forever because people think that the deceased's soul still stay at home. And after 49 days, 100days people continue to hold party to remember the dead.

5. Special characteritics
Vietnamese have a proverb The sense of the dead is that of the final, meaning that funeral ceremonies must be solemnly organized. According to conception of Vietnamese about death: People are born, grow up, marriage, give births, careerfinally under the rule of life. All people will be dead. So the funeral for dead person is very important, it should be organized carefully. The funeral ceremonies went as following: the body was washed and dressed; then a chopstick was laid between the teeth and a pinch of rice and three coins were dropped in the mouth. Then the body was put on a grass mat laid on the ground according to the saying being born from the earth, one must return back to the earth. The dead body was enveloped with white cloth, and put into the coffin. Funeral ceremony is officially performed, the deceased persons sons, daughters, and daughters-in-law had to wear coarse gauze turbans and tunics, and hats made of straw or of dry banana fiber. The deceased persons grandchildren and relatives also had to wear mourning turbans. After the hearse, the family, led by the eldest son, relatives, and friends follow behind, usually walking. The family is always crying loudly and lamenting in loud tearful voices their praise of the dead person, his virtues, and his accomplishments. Sometimes they cry over what they might have done for the deceased. Their voices, mixed in with the music from the professional musicians playing wind and string instruments and trumpets produce a

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soulful sound. The music is chosen especially for the deceased as they have different songs to fit different circumstances. Along the route, golden votive papers are scattered as symbolic money for the dead person to use in heaven. When the body reaches its resting place and is about to be placed in the grave, the wailing and crying grows even more soulful, and close relatives often fight frenziedly with the bearers of the coffin to prevent them from burying their loved one. The eldest son, the monk, or funeral attendants throw a symbolic handful of dirt into the grave and then pass on their respects to the rest of the family. Relatives leave the grave but wait a short distance away until the grave is completely covered before they go home. In rural areas, the custom of preparing a large meal for all friends and acquaintances that have participated in the funeral or sent a gift is still followed. Regular ceremonies are held for the dead person after that time, especially on the death anniversary, the lunar New Year Period and often on the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month.

6. Some changes
Traditional funeral
Formerly, the dead person was kept three day in house before burying and descendants must wear clothes with straw, they mustnt take shower 3 days 3 nights. The date and time for the funeral procession must be carefully selected. Relatives, friends, and descendants take part in the funeral procession to accompany the dead along the way to the burial ground. When the hearse move descendants must prostrate oneself, when the hearse move three steps, descendants must take three steps backward. Following that is the hearse which is pulled by four to eight persons. In olden days, the coffin was often covered by expensive votive papers in the form of a house. Some of the hearses are motorized in the cities. Votive papers are dropped along the way. At the grave site, the coffin is lowered and buried. After three days of mourning, the family visits the tomb again, or worship the opening the grave. Funeral in this time were very prolix with many rituals. Example, when the king was passed away, all ritual are

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very complicated, date and time is chosen carefully. To be buried with a lot of silver, gold, jewels, the mausoleum was built very luxurious. It wasted a lot of money.

Modern funeral
Nowadays, mourning ceremonies follow new rituals which are simplified; they consist of covering and putting the dead body into the coffin, the funeral procession, the burial of the coffin into the grave, and the visits to the tomb. Dead person isn't put in house too long like before, all rituals become quickly. Funeral is not too noisy and influence spreads to neighbors. Nowadays, funeral is more and more different. Especially the economics is considered, in the olden day, relative come to a funeral they used to bring wine, rice, globesor some product to help the host family. But now, people only bring money to funeral. During the period of mourning, descendants wear special mourning clothing. These garments are made of crepe of ample cut with a seam in the middle of the back. All are required to cover their heads. In times gone by when Confucianism was still a dominant influence in life, mourning the dead was considered more important than the affairs of the living. A mandarin had to resign his position and retire to his home. He was expected to erect a tomb where the parent was buried and there conduct memorial ceremonies. Mourners could not marry, comb their hair or have a haircut. They were not permitted to eat good food or enjoy any form of entertainment whatsoever. Recently, however, the severity of the mourning period has been abolished to a large extent. After the funeral the descendants return to work and are no longer required to interrupt their business affairs. Clothing for the mourning period has been modified to only a piece of black cloth worn around the arm, lapel or the head. Wedding ceremonies during the mourning period are still banned, but if the families have already approved of the engagement, special dispensation may be obtained through the proper rural or urban authorities. In the development of modern society, many funeral customs dont suite for the trend. We need to distinguish, which custom should be preserved, which should be eliminated.

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It has many changes in funeral costume between traditional and modern, such as towels bucket, straw hat, with a canein nowadays, Vietnamese dont use it popularly, they have tiny costume. Currently, it has many positive changes, in the funeral home; the family's dead person is also persuaded organizing funerals sparingly. When organizing the funeral at the funeral home, it is no more than three hours. Many families which have dead person choose cremate service. In Hanoi, the city managements give a pension policy for some family who want to cremate dead person, it is three million for one person. Besides, they give supporting for transportation. Making a simple funeral to saving money and time, its suitable for lifestyle of modern civilization.

7. Advice for visitors attending the funeral.

a, General advices:
Funerals is sad things for a family so at least when attending the funeral, everybody should to show their respects to the dead and show the sharing to members of the family. People should following these advice when attending a funeral. Do not laughing, joking, talking too loudly in the funeral. In weddings, you can do it but in funerals, you can not. Funerals are the sad ceremony, it is made to say goodbye, show mercy to the dead person and express the sharing to the family. There is no reason when everybody are very sad when they need to say goodbye forever to a person and you are keep laughing. Do not wear colorful, fancy, ridiculous or too fashion clothes. It is not suite with circumstances and annoyed many people. Wear colorful clothes show that you are happy and impolite in the funerals. In the case of the host organize to eat after the funerals, do not eat too arbitrary or drink too much alcohol; do not laugh or talk too much; do not show happiness, pleasure.

b, Advices for visitors:

For young people or foreigners who do not understand the rules of the funeral, here are some advices that may be useful. 13

Should bring money putted in envelop (amount of money depends on how much close to family and your finance) 3 globes, money hell, incense sticks, yellow daisies, white lily or funeral wreath to show the sharing to the family. Do not bring roses because it does not suite with funerals. Should wear black or dark color, polite clothes to the funerals. It shows you are polite and respect to the dead person and family. Expected mothers and babies should not attend the funerals because from the body of the dead coming out very cold air which easy cause cold for expected mother and babies, who are very sensitive and vulnerable. In Western countries, people only bow to God but when going to visit a funerals, everybody have to take a bow shadowy of the dead, it shows respect to the dead and the family. When come to the funerals, you are guided in front of the altar and the body of the dead inside, you have to burn incense then folded arms across chest and take a bow 2 times the stand in silent to show your mercy to the dead person. In case of the casket has glass in the top, you should come and see the face of the dead the last time. Then, you should show your sharing to the host and members of family. After rituals, the host and family will take coffin to the burial place. In urban areas and foreign, burial place is in cemetery but in rural areas, burial place sometimes in the field, you should come with the host, the family and others to the burial place. In the way to the burial places, should not talk too much. When attending funerals, in case of the host and family do not make you satisfied, you should sympathize with them.

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CHAPTER III- CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

A. CONCLUSION
The funeral is a form to express our gratitude and compassion of the living for the dead. Vietnamese funeral is part of filial piety which children are available to parents and grandparents who died. Funerals also are a way of expressing devotion to the deceased. The ritual of a traditional funeral is still being maintained. However, some of the cumbersome ritual was omitted. There are some other differences between the past and the current funeral but it still shows the spirit and the will of the deceased. In the development of modern society, many

funeral customs dont suite for the trend. We need to distinguish, which custom should be preserved, which should be eliminated. It has many changes in funeral costume between traditional and modern, such as towels bucket, straw hat, with a canein nowadays, Vietnamese dont use it popularly, they have tiny costume . Despite any formal organization,
in fact, the funeral is a spiritual beauty of Vietnamese culture. Maintaining and preserving those values is the duty of each of us.

This assignment created for tourism student lots of opportunities to learn about the ceremonies and festivals of Vietnam which are important customs in our life. Beside, this assignment help students who are studying and working in tourism sectors preserve and promote the value of Vietnamese customs. In the future, students should research carefully to learn more about the traditional cultural beauty of the festival as well as the ceremonies of Vietnam. This assignment also gives us a chance to cooperate, share experiences and learn from each other.

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RECOMMENDATION

Learning to know more information is the essential needs of human beings, of course students, especially students from faculty of tourism, you know about place of interest or cultural, national identity more and more become more important and necessary. It is good for students who are really main sours for the tourism industry in the future. Therefore, we can see that this ceremony is not only the challenge but also an opportunity for all students. This really is an important ceremony that students should be known. Some tourists, who have demand of enjoyment and have more knowledge about interesting life in Vietnam, really want to know about our cultural. So funeral ceremony is also a special custom which attractive tourist This assignment is an exciting exercise. It helps us not only enhance our report writing skills but also enrich our knowledge. Someone who think that talks about the funeral, is seems to be fear and feel shudder but with our opinions if we know a way to develop it to become one of the special customs to attract tourists who can find out real information and with the real trip like this the tourists can get experiences more funny. Thanks to teacher for giving us this assignment and enthusiastic guiding and helping. However, in the process of doing this assignment, we also met many difficulties. There are some things that we almost cannot find information about them. Besides, it is also quite difficult for us to know what information is original.

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REFERRENCES http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90%C3%A1m_tang_ng%C6%B0%E1%BB %9Di_Vi%E1%BB%87t www.google.com.vn/#hl=vi&sclient=psy-ab&q=%C4%90%C3%81M+MA&oq= %C4%90%C3%81M+MA&gs_l=hp.3..0l4.5201.10757.1.11372.28.13.14.0.0.6.2 77.2336.0j7j5.12.0...0.0...1c.1.SopOFMZ5fvs&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_ qf.&fp=1d4983a56ce3e991&biw=1517&bih=783 http://www.informatik.uni-leipzig.de/~duc/sach/phongtuc/cau_053.html http://phuthienphat.com/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=141:tang-le&catid=116:tang-l-ci-tang http://www.xbook.com.vn/newsdetail.asp?NewsId=9443&CatId=199 http://www.truongtantru.com/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=647:phong-tc-vit-nam-tangl&catid=195:tng-hp&Itemid=237&limitstart=1 http://namkyluctinh.org/a-vh-vminh/tvchi/tvchi-tangche.pdf http://www.dunglac.org/index.php?m=module3&v=chapter&ib=679&ict=10125 http://www.hantaxi.com/en/TravelGuide/vietnam-customs-habits.aspx http://www.ehow.com/about_6761601_vietnamese-funeral-flower-customs.html http://ethnomed.org/clinical/end-of-life/death-in-viet http://asiarecipe.com/vietfuneral.html http://www.vietnam-culture.com/articles-22-3/Funeral-ceremonies.aspx

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