Dao Thom

Democratic Republic of Dao Thom Cộng hòa dân chủ Đào Thơm
Flag	Coat of arms
File:Dao Thom flag.png	File:Dao Thom emblem.png
Motto: Tự do - Thịnh vượng - Hạnh phúc Freedom - Prosperity - Happiness
Anthem: Tháng ba của tự do "March of Liberty"
Locator map
File:Dao Thom.png
Capital city	Hue Loc
Largest city	Ben Giang
Official language	Daothomese
Other languages
Ethnic group
Religion	Kin, Orkanan
Demonym(s)	Daothomese
Government
Government Type	Unitary socialist republic
President	Ho Van Minh
Premier	Tôn Thất Đính
Legislature	Supreme Assembly
Establishment
Colonised by Auresia	7355 RH
Area
Total	324,980.87 km2 km2
Water %	3.7%
Population
Total	41,831,505
Density	128.72/km2/km2
Economy
Economy type	Consumer socialist
GDP (total)	Ꞡ 369,471,793,574.56
GDP per capita	Ꞡ 8,832.38
Currency	()
Inequality index	TBD
Development index	TBD
Other information
Time zone	TBD
Driving side	left
Calling code
Internet code	.dao
Nation number	{{{nation number}}}

The Democratic Republic of Dao Thom (Daothomese: Cộng hòa dân chủ Đào Thơm), also referred to colloquially as Dao Thom or the Fragrant Isles, is a country in western Raia. It is an island cluster situated near the centre of the Shangti Ocean. Hue Loc is the nation's capital and its largest city is Ben Giang.

Dao Thom is a member of the International Socialist League and was one of the first states to join. It is also a member of the International Council of Nations and the Restoration Coalition.

Etymology

The name of the nation literally means "Fragrant Isles", so named for its lush, colourful, aromatic flora and the cultural meanings many of the plants hold. The people themselves, the Daothomese, are literally the "people of the Fragrant Isles."

History

Early history

The Daothomese people are believed to be an early offshoot of an earlier Xiangren ethnic group, originating on the Janbian Peninsula of mainland Davai some 5,500 years ago. They were explorers and astronomers, who made a speciality of charting the stars and exploring the waters and islands of the Shangti. The original first settlers in the Fragrant Isles are remembered as the Boat People (Thuyền nhân), who sailed from the Janbian coast around 2190 RH. Their first settlement was Hoi Lãnh, which is the oldest still-occupied settlement in the nation.

As they explored the isles, the Boat People found the land lush, colourful, and vibrant. The preponderance of fragrant flowering plants lent themselves to their ultimate decision to name the islands Đào Thơm, the Fragrant Isles. By the end of the 22nd century, the Daothomese had spread to all of the isles, and built a thriving inter-island trade network based on salt, rice, fabrics, among other things.

Colonial era

The island nation was first colonised by Auresia in 7355 RH, when a company colony of AOCMI established a small settlement on the coast and re-named the islands after the leader of their expedition, Giuseppe M. Andrea. Establishing its trade legation in the small city of Da Lam (Đà Lâm), the company sought to exploit the potential for dye and sugar production. Over the next forty years the AOCMI established its dye trade, though due to the limited size of the settlement, it would be nearly twenty years before said trade reached consistently prosperous levels. Peratolian missionaries soon followed the AOCMI merchants and established small communities elsewhere as they shared their faith with the local inhabitants. Settlements were largely only established on the main island, then called Saint Ananas Island, which had been named as such by the missionaries. Domestically, Imperial control was relatively light, and the Daothomese were allowed to handle their own affairs as long as they didn't violate Imperial law. The king of the time, Nguyễn Ngọc Minh, negotiated an agreement with the Auresian colonial authorities that guaranteed this arrangement.

In 7397 RH the islands were annexed by Anisora after Auresia’s defeat in the Auresio-Anisoran War (7395-97 RH) under the terms of the Treaty of Oseidon. Da Lam was seized by Anisoran sailors and marines in 7396 and the remaining Auresian settlements on the islands were taken by mid-7397. The annexation of the islands provided Anisora with her first base in the central Shangti and would grant her significant strategic opportunities for the growing Imperial Navy and the empire's interests in the region. The territory was officially handed over on 21 Vetrun 7398 when the new governor was installed in Da Lam and a contingent of Anisoran soldiers established the first garrison. Once Anisoran control was established, the central island was renamed Exemplar Iurran (Esemplare Juranno) Island, one of the canonical Sixteen Exemplars.

While the Anisorans could not provide as much capital investment into the islands’ economy as AOCMI, merchants did make use of the infrastructure established by the Auresians and did their best to expand it. Over the next century the islands’ economy grew slowly but steadily, becoming an established producer of luxury dyes as well as sugar and silk. During the latter years of the Pan-Anarian War (PAW) small deposits of oil were found all over the islands which brought a significant increase in investment from Anisora that lead to modest oil production. As the PAW raged and isolated from the decades-long conflict by great distance, the Daothomese began to quietly push against the continued Anisoran presence in the isles, and peaceful, civil disobedience began to increase. From 7554 RH, these protests stoppages were led by Lê Hồng Khiêm, who became recognised as the leader of the Popular Revolution. Despite being only 33 years old, he was proving an effective public speaker and talented at taking the pulse of the public. He penned several pamphlets calling for the Anisorans to leave their islands, and called on people to peacefully protest until they did so.

When the PAW ended in 7552 RH, the revolution began to gather steam. Two events in the next two years - the departure of the Anisoran navy's Shangti squadron in early 7553 and Lê receiving and reading a copy of In the Cause of the People by Aleksandr Belikov in 7554 - would be the catalysts for a more vocal movement. Flyers and posters began appearing everywhere, demanding the Anisorans remove themselves from Dao Thom and allow the people to govern themselves. His flyers likewise spoke of the need for the nation to forge a new path, where the people alone were the arbiters of the nation's future. Eventually, a copy of a formal petition penned by Lê with hundreds of signatures is delivered to the Anisoran governor in mid-7556 RH. Tensions reached a boiling point suddenly in early 7557 when protestors in Quy Thiet were rustled by Anisoran colonial police and it devolved into a brawl. By the time the situation was brought under control, several dozen Daothomese and numerous colonial police were injured, two persons were dead as the result of a rush, and the chief constable was sacked for failing to quietly contain the protests. Lê Hồng Khiêm openly spoke against the aggressive tactics used by both sides and said the only solution to the nation's desire for independence was a peaceful transition.

The Popular Revolution would ultimately succeed when, in mid-7558, a combination of domestic post-PAW pressures and the fallout of several smaller but similar incidents to Quy Thiet forced the Anisoran government to announce a full withdrawal from the islands that took effect on 1 Solma 7558. Lê Hồng Khiêm received the formal documents from the Anisoran governor in a simple ceremony and was on the docks to see his departure that afternoon. Dao Thom was declared free and independent on that day. The last king of Dao Thom, Nguyễn Công Thành, abdicated following a national referendum which called for the establishment of a new government. Within the year, the members of the royal family had retired to their small, private estate on Plum Blossom Island where their descendants live to this day.

Modern era

In 7560, the Provisional People's Government of Dao Thom (Chính phủ nhân dân lâm thời Đào Thơm) was established in Hue Loc. The nation itself was simply called the State of Dao Thom (Bang Đào Thơm). While Lê Hồng Khiêm gave his support to the government, he was not directly involved in its work, preferring to withdraw to his home in Nam Ô in Hai Mau and continue his studies into socialism and his writing. He refused several pleas to join but would offer his advice and guidance when asked. Between 7560 and 7568, the provisional government made gradual strides in stabilising the country. Initial efforts focused on ensuring that foreign trade remained largely unchanged, which enabled the economy to continue with little disruption and continued to bring in funds which granted the government leeway to develop needed infrastructure, improving national roads and railway routes, repairing and modernising vital bridges and ports, and also allowing improvements to schools, medical centres, and other vital facilities.

The loose unification the provisional government brought gave the nation a slowly improving foundation but concerns over social shortcomings and holes in the nation's efforts to strengthen the economy while enabling the people greater freedom became a new priority. Discussions over how to address these shortcomings produced wide and varied proposals. It wouldn't be until 7575 that the shift toward socialism, which would be remembered in the nation's history as the "Hundred Steps Programme" (Chương trình Trăm Bước), would begin. In mid-Halyga of that year, Lê Hồng Khiêm traveled by ship to Arvor, where he was able to meet with several of the Founders of the ADR, including Aleksandr Belikov (who was in his second term as premier), Ivana Ustinova (serving as minister of health), and Vasiliy Kalinin (serving as minister of finance). Over the course of several days, sometimes in private meetings and sometimes over a meal, he discussed the philosophy of socialism and the methods for implementing it with them. He attended several sessions of the Congress of People's Deputies and met with officials from several agencies. When he returned to Dao Thom the following month, he arranged meetings with several members of the Council of State.

In his meetings, Lê and the council began to plan the Hundred Steps programme, formulating a gradual transition into socialist government. A constitution was drawn up in the People's Consultative Congress of 7576, and after several drafts and clarifications, the constitution was formally signed by people's representatives from every province and became the supreme law of the new Democratic Republic of Dao Thom on 1 Vetrun 7577. Hue Loc was officially named the new capital of the nation. While he insisted on no formal role in the nation, Lê Hồng Khiêm was elected its first president. Phạm Mạnh Hùng was the first premier.

Arvor was the first nation to formally grant the new socialist state diplomatic recognition, sending an ambassador two months later. As time went on and Arvor's economy and industrial base continued to grow, it began to lend technical and economic support to its new ally, despite the distance, and the aid allowed the nation to gradually diversify its own industries. By 7585, the nation had established its own national healthcare system, the Public Health Service (Dịch vụ y tế công cộng) and had established a standardised, national education curriculum. By 7600, the nation had fully modernised its schools and built a new network of clinics, medical centres, and opened five new universities.

As of current year, Dao Thom is a stable and prosperous nation, if small and modest in comparison to some of the greater states in the region and around the world. But a combination of careful industrial growth and financial planning, combined with a burgeoning tourism industry have enabled the republic to enjoy success in its own way.

Geography

Dao Thom is known for its surprising geographic diversity despite the nation's small size. Each of the main islands of the nation, similar to the theme for the nation's own name, are likewise named for flowers which grow there. Each island's original Daothomese name was restored following the withdrawal of the Anisoran colonial presence.

Rose Island (Đảo Hoa Hồng, formerly Rikrea Island) is the northernmost of the Fragrant Isles. At its centre stands the low peaks of the Kon Bình mountains, with an average elevation of 519 metres (1,703 feet). They are the site of the nation's most extensive mining operations. The northern half of the island is divided between the Buôn Phu coast, famous for its golden sand beaches, and the Tân Son jungle, one of the densest such areas in the country. The southern half of the island is the My An grasslands, home to numerous agricultural areas divided between rice paddies and grain fields, as well as farms raising livestock.

Plum Blossom Island (Đảo Hoa Mận, formerly Bhachea Island) sits off the southwestern coast of Rose Island and is famous for the lush and colourful beaches of Vung Hà, which are one of the nation's busiest tourist destinations. Numerous resorts here provide a tranquil retreat for visitors and citizens alike, and the crystal blue waters are a popular site for swimming, waterboarding, and boating.

Sunflower Island (Đảo Hướng Dương, formerly Pleaung Island) is east of Rose Island and is largely rolling plains and light jungle. The majority of the island's work is in agriculture, and it is home to the sprawling rice paddies of the Buôn Ma Liêu highlands, which are the third largest in the nation.

Orchid Island (Đảo Hoa Lan, formerly Anung Island) is situated southeast of Sunflower Island and northwest of Lotus Island and has many of the lowest elevations in the country for one of the largest islands, with the majority of it sitting between three and ten metres above sea level. The interior of the island is the dense jungles of Uông Ranh, part of which is set aside as the Uông Ranh Wildlife Preserve, where some of the world's most exotic tropical animals live.

Lotus Island (Đảo Sen, formerly Exemplar Iurran Island or Andrea Island) is the largest of the main islands of the nation and home to three-fifths of its population. The northern third of the island is divided between the Quy Binh grasslands, where extensive agriculture is found; the Ðong Hà coast, where the cities of Huế Lộc and Bến Giang are located; and the Cà Bái forest. The southeast of the island is home to the Lang Cái mountains and the highest elevations in the entire country, as well as the city of Đà Lâm. The southwestern third is the Sa Ninh peninsula, with its rocky cliffs and shoreline.

The Lily Islands (Quần đảo hoa huệ, formerly the Jayav Islands) are situated off the central eastern shores of Lotus Island. They are a cluster of rocky, low elevation islands with dense forested interiors arrayed around a small inner body of water known as Cam Thiet.

Government and politics

The government of Dao Thom, formally known as the National Government (Chính phủ quốc gia), is unitary. Policy is set at the national level, and the provinces, districts, and municipalities are responsible for enacting these laws and standards.

Executive

The president (Chủ tịch) is the popularly elected head of state. They perform a wide range of ceremonial duties and have specific political powers which they exercise in certain situations. They serve as the foremost representative of the nation to the world and are responsible for ensuring that the government and its officials perform their duties in strict observance of the constitutional law. The current president is Ho Van Minh.

The cabinet and executive branch of the nation is the Council of Government (Hội đồng Chính phủ). It consists of the premier (Thủ tướng) and the fifteen ministers (bộ trưởng) who oversee each branch of the bureaucracy and their relevant business. They are collectively responsible for the daily management of state business and co-ordinating and enacting policy in accordance with legislative direction. The current premier is Tôn Thất Đính.

Legislative

The Supreme Assembly (Hội đồng tối cao) is the national, unicameral legislature of the nation. Its 319 members, known as representatives (tiêu biểu) are elected to a five-year term. The Assembly is recognised by the constitution as the highest authority in the nation, responsible for formulating, debating, and passing the laws of the nation. It likewise grants approval for nominations to a range of high offices, including the ministers of the Council of Government, top military officers, and the directors of key agencies and offices.

Judicial

The Court of National Appeal (Tòa phúc thẩm quốc gia) is the highest court in the nation. It is the final body of judicial review for all criminal and civil matters. Its five members are nominated by the premier, approved by the Assembly, and sworn into office by the president. They serve a maximum of twenty years or until turning 75, whichever happens first.

Administrative divisions

Dao Thom is separated into three tiers of administrative subdivisions, from highest to lowest: the province (tỉnh), the district (huyện), and the municipality (đô thị). There are eleven districts in every province, with each sending one representative to the Supreme Assembly. Municipalities include the cities, towns, and villages of the nation.

Each administrative subdivision of the nation is led by a people's committee which is likeise popularly elected by the citizens of that province, district, or municipality.

Law and justice

As is common with socialist nations, Dao Thom has a single, unified legal system. The courts are required to address all cases and all concerns equally, work to deter crime at every opportunity, ensure correctional discipline is handed down to those found guilty of criminal offences, that those with social or familial troubles are able to receive the support they need, and that those with serious psychological troubles receive the care and treatment they need. All legal and judicial oversight is handled through the Ministry of Justice (Bộ Tư pháp).

Law enforcement in the nation is divided into the same tiers as the courts system.

Military

The Armed Forces of Dao Thom (Lực lượng vũ trang Đào Thơm) are the active military services of the nation, dedicated to the defence of the republic and its citizens. It is divided between the Daothomese Ground Force (Lực lượng mặt đất của người Daothome), the Daothomese Navy (Hải quân Daothome), and the Daothomese Air Force (Lực lượng Không quân Daothomese). While the nation produces its own small arms and ordnance, it purchases ships and aircraft from its largest ally, Arvor.

Internally, the nation also has the Dao Thom Self-Defence Force (Lực Lượng Tự Vệ Đảo Thơm), which doubles as the active reserve forces of the nation as well as an internal militia able to respond to emergency and disaster situations. In wartime, these forces maintain domestic military policing and security functions.

Internationally, Dao Thom hosts units of the Armed Forces of Arvor on its soil as part of a treaty signed nearly forty years ago. Ðong Cai Naval Station, located south of Đà Lâm, is home to the 6th Submarine Division and the 11th Battle Squadron of the Arvorian Navy. The nearby airbase is home to the 61st Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Economy

Đào Thơm has a consumer socialist economy. Its firms operate in accordance with the Pomelova Model, with the vast majority of its large businesses being co-operatives (các hợp tác xã). A small number of state enterprises (doanh nghiệp nhà nước) maintain control over certain critical assets and resources which have been nationalised.

Banking

The republic follows the socialist banking model. That is, banks in the nation are rooted in the consumer socialist principles which govern the economy as a whole. The focus is on the rights and protections of the citizen, enabling equal access to services, limits on interest rates, and a commitment to ethical and open business practises. There are three types of banks in a socialist banking system - co-operative banks (ngân hàng hợp tác xã), owned jointly by their members and offering savings, checking, and loan services; development banks (ngân hàng phát triển), which help fund development and business projects; and savings banks (ngân hàng tiết kiệm), which are dedicated to giving citizens a place to safely deposit and save their money.

The National Bank of Dao Pham (Ngân hàng Quốc gia Đào Phạm) is the central bank of the republic.

Mining

Dao Thom has rich peat resources all along the Ðong Hà coast, with tin and tungsten mining in the northern Lang Cái mountains and gold, silver, and copper mining on the Sa Ninh peninsula, all on Lotus Island. The largest of the Fragrant Isles is also home to marble and salt mines. Iron ore is mined from deep within the Kon Bình mountains on Rose Island.

Science & technology

Dao Thom invests annually in science and technology, with particular focus on materials sciences, life sciences, energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Domestic research expenditure is the equivalent of 4.7% of national GDP. Government policy is inculcated in three key programmes: the Sustainable Development Strategy (Chiến lược phát triển bền vững), the Engineering and Industry Development Strategy (Chiến lược phát triển cơ khí và công nghiệp), and Vision 7700 (Tầm nhìn 7700). These call for the maintenance of a highly skilled human resource base, a steady policy of investment in research and development, fiscal policies focused on the regular technological upgrading of the industrial sector, and a commitment to sustainable development.

The manufacturing and service sectors account for a combined 61% of the national economy. The National Institute of Science and Technology (Viện Khoa học và Công nghệ Quốc gia) serves as the nation's R&D think tank. It has departments focused on over a dozen different areas of scientific study, from medicine and energy to materials sciences and agriculture. It collaborates with similar institutions in other socialist states, including TsINK of Arvor.

Transport

The total length of the Daothomese road system is about 202,119 kilometres (125,590.9 miles), of which 77% is paved. The national road system length is 17,295 kilometres (10,746.61 miles), all of which is paved. The provincial road system is 27,762 kilometres (17,250.5 miles) and is fully paved. The nation's roads are well developed and in good condition. While speed limits within municipalities are set at 48.28 kph (30 mph), the speed limits on provincial and national roads are set at 88.5 kph (55 mph). Fully 63% of personal vehicles on the nation's roads are motorbikes, and the country is renowned for its motorbike culture. The typical family will own two or three of these vehicles.

The nation's rail network consists of 3,100 kilometres (1,926.25 miles) of standard gauge track. These are a combination of the high-speed passenger routes and the lines used for hauling of goods and materials.

The country has six key deep-water ports - Đà Lâm, Bến Giang, Nam Loc, Hai Binh, Son Hoi, and Tam La. Of these, Bến Giang is the largest, handling more than 20 million metric tons of cargo annually.

Đào Thơm maintains six international and 31 domestic airports. The three largest and busiest are Vân Ranh in Bến Giang, Nội Bài in Huế Lộc, and Điện Lai in Đà Lâm.

Energy

Thanks to investment and support from Arvor, Dao Thom has a highly modernised energy production network. Approximately one-third of the country's electricity needs are met by nuclear power, with the remainder being sourced from solar, wind, and hydro. With assistance from SK Energia, the Hà Binh Nuclear Re-Processing Plant (Nhà máy tái chế hạt nhân Hà Bình) opened in 7685 and is responsible for recycling nuclear fuel using the VNRE (Vesium and Nonium Recovery by Extraction) process.

Power services in the nation are provided by the Dao Thom Power Administration (Cục Điện lực Đào Thơm).

Manufacturing

Dao Thom is home to a mixture of light industry and the handicrafts sector has become popular worldwide. Outside of the grain, food-product, and consumer-goods sectors, the nation has healthy, growing sectors in paper products, food processing, textiles, small parts and machinery, and technical equipment.

Machine-building and chemical industries (including rubber) are two of the nation's leading heavy industry sectors, producing a variety of manual and powered tools and chemical solutions for use in a wide range of industries.

Agriculture

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for approximately 12% of the nation's GDP. Products from these industries accounted for 18% of exports in 7689 RH. While retaining a sizable portion of its production for its own needs, the country exports rice to nations throughout the Shangti region. Other cash crops include coffee, cotton, peanuts, rubber, sugarcane, and tea. The nation is also prominent for its spices.

Forestry is largely done on Lotus Island, with renewable tree farms found along the peripheries of the Cà Bái forest.

The vast majority of fishing in the Fragrant Isles takes place in waters off the shores of Rose Island. Careful regulations govern the catches permitted, and sustainable methods are used, combined with regular replenishment of populations, to ensure that exhaustion of these resources is not a potential risk.

Demographics

Gender

In keeping with the socialist views on gender equality and the importance of that cause, Dao Thom recognises the right of citizens of both genders to have full access to the same rights, opportunities, and privileges with no restrictions. Women are just as engaged in the political, social, and economic works of the nation as men are, and hold posts in government and business at the highest levels.

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Religion

While much of the population that are religious actively follow the Kin (free covenant) or Orkanan faiths, many adherents of both still follow traditions of the Daothomese folk religion. This includes veneration of the guardian gods (Thần hộ mệnh), a collection of deities who protect communities from disasters and crises and bring good fortune, and the kitchen gods (Thần bếp) who protect individual homes, watch over the elderly and children, and safeguard the health and well-being of the family, granting them protection from illness and injury. A small shrine to the Thần bếp can be found in virtually every household in the nation, while a shrine to the Thần hộ mệnh typically is found in the central square of the municipality.

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Health

All citizens of the democratic republic have access to national healthcare, provided by the Public Health Service (Dịch vụ y tế công cộng), a non-ministerial arm of the government overseen by the Ministry of Health (Bộ Y tế). The operations of the service are co-ordinated via regions, which encompass the main islands and their local, lesser islands. All doctors and nurses in the country are members of the service.

The Public Health Service provides all general health services at no charge to citizens. While some specialised or extended services to incur modest charges, these can be repaid in full or in installments. While foreign visitors to the nation cannot receive regular healthcare without paying, they will receive any required emergency care at no cost and will pay only modest fees for any necessary medications or medical supplies.

Culture

Holidays

Several important holidays are celebrated in Dao Thom. Every year, citizens enjoy TBD bank holidays, where all regular business shuts and only essential and emergency services are operating.

• 1 Vetrun - New Year's Day (Tết dương lịch)
• 12 Vetrun - Constitution Day (Ngày Hiến pháp)
• 33 Estorun - Popular Revolution Day - (Ngày Cách mạng Nhân dân)
• 1 Suna - International Worker's Day (Ngày quốc tế lao động)
• 27 Herfa - Festival of Lanterns (Lễ hội đèn lồng)
• 1 Halyga - Elections Day (Ngày bầu cử)
• 22 Wintar - National Defence Day (Ngày quốc phòng)
• 1 Solma - National Day (Quốc khánh)

Literature

Daothomese literature has centuries-deep history, and the country has a rich tradition of folk literature based on the typical six–to-eight-verse poetic form (lục bát) called ca dao which usually focuses on village ancestors and heroes. Written literature has been found dating back centuries, with notable ancient authors including Trần Trọng Kim, Phan Kế An, Hoàng Vĩnh Nguyên, and Phạm Thanh Vân. Some literary genres play an important role in theatrical performance, such as hát nói in ca trù. Traditional Daothomese literature comes in a combination of oral and written record. Folk literature continues to maintain stories that have been passed down orally for centuries, many of which are by unknown authors. Myths contain stories about supernatural beings, heroes, creator gods and reflect the viewpoint of ancient people about life. Many consist of creation stories, stories about human origin, and culture heroes who are referred to various ways.

Music

Music in the republic can be divided into three distinct types: formal classical with its rich traditional structure, modern classical with its melancholic tones, and modern with its lively laissez-faire attitude.

Dao Thom has some twenty national music instruments. Percussion instruments are among the most popular, diverse and long-lasting and include the đàn đáy, đàn tranh, đàn nhị, and đàn bầu. Blowing instruments are represented by flutes and pan-pipes, while string instruments include the đàn bầu and đàn đáy.

Daothomese folksongs are rich in form and melody, ranging from ngâm thơ (reciting poems), hát ru (lullaby), and hò (chanty) to hát quan họ, trong quan, xoan, dum, ví giặm, 'and bài chòi. There are also other forms like hát xẩm, chầu văn, and ca trù.

The most well-known Vietnamese traditional genres include court music (âm nhạc cung đình), an elaborate form which features an extensive array of musicians and dancers dressed in extravagant, traditional costumes, and chamber music (nhạc thính phòng), associated with a pansori-type of entertainment commonly performed at dinners and celebrations. Both forms are still widely enjoyed as a celebration of the nation's history and for their cultural significance.

In the socialist period, Dao Thom has seen an uptick in new categories of arts: plays, photography, and cinema. These portray a wide range of subjects, with some of the most popular offering interpretations of themes that capture the imagination or inspire curiosity and questions in the viewer.

Visual art

Traditional Daothomese art encompasses several areas, including styles and forms which have played a part in national culture since ancient times. Among these, pottery and ceramics, calligraphy, traditional architectural forms, and lacquer painting are the best known internationally.

Calligraphy has had a long history in Dao Thom, using an ancient logographic form known as chữ Nôm. The art is frequently used to celebrate or denote special occasions, honour the memory of a deceased loved one, or to commemorate an important event. It is common for people to go to calligraphers to make them a hanging displaying poetry, folk sayings or even single words.

Silk painting is one of the most popular forms of art in Dao Thom, favoured for the mystical atmosphere that can be achieved with the medium. The style is known for its use of tasteful, soft colours. Silk paintings typically showcase the countryside, landscapes, pagodas, historical events, or scenes of daily life.

Deeply rooted in the folk art of the nation, woodblock prints have become increasingly popular outside of Dao Thom. Organic materials are used to make the paints, which are applied to wood and pressed on paper. The process is repeated with different colours to produce a specific look or style.

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Cuisine

Daothomese cuisine uses very little oil and many vegetables and is mainly based on rice and fish sauce (nước mắm). Its characteristic flavours are sweet (sugar), spicy (Bird's eye chili), and sour (lime), flavoured by a variety of mint and basil.

Đào Thơm has a large variety of noodles and noodle soups. Different regions invented different types of noodles, varying in shape, taste, and colour. One of the nation's most famous type of noodles is phở, a type of noodle soup originating in the nation's north, which consists of rice noodles and beef soup (sometimes chicken soup) with several other ingredients such as bean sprouts and scallions (spring onions). It is often eaten for breakfast, but also makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner. The boiling stock, fragrant with spices and sauces, is poured over the noodles and vegetables, poaching the paper-thin slices of raw beef just before serving. Phở is meant to be savored, incorporating several different flavors: the sweet flavour of beef, the sour flavour of lemon, the saltiness of fish sauce, and fresh vegetables.

Chopsticks (đũa) are a common utensil in Dao Thom.

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