This paper is a meta-analysis of the spread of Korean culture, often known as “Hallyu” or “the Korean Wave”, which is gaining the attention of many scholars and the public at large. It is catching on in many parts of the world, including Vietnam, and to such an extent that it is now claimed that it is being globalized and globalizing at the same time. | VNU Journal of Science: Foreign Studies, Vol. 32, No. 2 (2016) 1-11 RESEARCH The Spread of Korean Culture: The Case of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa*, Tran Thi Huong VNU University of Languages and International Studies, Pham Van Dong, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Received 24 March 2016 Revised 04 May 2016, Accepted 26 May 2016 Abstract: This paper is a meta-analysis of the spread of Korean culture, often known as “Hallyu” or “the Korean Wave”, which is gaining the attention of many scholars and the public at large. It is catching on in many parts of the world, including Vietnam, and to such an extent that it is now claimed that it is being globalized and globalizing at the same time. This paper on Korean culture makes an attempt to see if there is an element of truth in this claim with special reference to Vietnam. In particular, it deals with the following relevant questions: what is the current status of Korean Culture in Vietnam? Whether it has had any impact on the host culture? and how will Korean Culture likely fare in Vietnam in the future? An oral presentation of the contents of this paper was given at a forum recently held by the Cyber University of Korea on December 3rd, 2015 in Seoul, Korea. Keywords: Culture, culture contact, value, communication, sub-culture, co-culture, identity. 1. Introduction∗ Confucianism, globalization, intercultural form, and wherever it is, is, no doubt, intellectually exciting, and deserves a close look. In particular, I think some relevant questions can be raised in this connection: what is the status quo of Korean culture in Vietnam, whether it has had any impact on the local culture in terms of identity change, and what is it going to be like in the future here. About globalization, US President Bill Clinton has this to say: "Globalization is not something we can hold off or turn off. It is the economic equivalent of a force of nature -- like wind or water. We can harness wind to fill a sail. We can use water to generate energy. .
