She used to cook for 21 heads of state at APEC Danang 2017 and was introduced by famous chef Anthony Bourdain on CNN. If you visit a shop early in the morning in Vietnam, its considered common courtesy to buy something even if you dont really need it it neednt be a big purchase, a small item will do. However, there are many people who are completely delusional and blindly believe in these things, harming not only themselves but also those around them. The purpose of this study was to begin to explore cultural variations in response to the process of dying and grieving among four Asian American populations--Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino. For example, pregnant moms must refuse to attend funerals because these are the gathering places of miasma which can threaten the life of the fetus. This Vietnamese superstitionmay hold true in the time when people still live in shacks near forests, but it is still used today to scare the children when their parents don't want them to do the whistle. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. As Vietnamese funerals will likely have some unique customs, you should respectfully observe them and feel no pressure to engage. If you are able to speak Vietnamese, then some sympathy messages include: If you do not speak Vietnamese, then general condolences will be welcomed by the grieving. Shedding tears onto the body can be a bad omen. It is during this time that they share food and toast to celebrate the deceaseds life. On this joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune. Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. The second story tells the tale of a Goddess who was responsible for cooking for Ngoc Hoang (the Jade Emperor, King of the Heaven) but always tasted his meals first. However, some have roots deeply integrated in our culture that theyve become a part of Vietnamese social etiquette. Embalming, burial, organ donation, and medical donation of the body are acceptable in the Buddhist faith. However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good luck! Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. Vietnam has many customs involving superstitious activities. To save our couples from the headache of digging all the dos and don'ts at their weddings, we have collected the 10 most important wedding superstitions in Chinese culture for you to follow. List. #4 means death, #13 means bad luck (buildings rarely have floor 4 & 13 because of this reason), #7 is our lucky number (that's why slot machines' biggest jackpot is if you get 7's in a row), Many superstitions surround pregnant women in Vietnamese and wider Asian culture. The science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam and became popular even until now. If a dragonfly bites your belly button, you learn how to swim, Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. Still, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its understandable that a lot of parents would rather be safe than sorry. Ideas About Death and Dying in Vietnam. The sellers often do this when a customer comes and leaves without buying anything first thing in the morning as they believe the customer has brought bad spirits to the shop. This superstition in Vietnam is taken quite seriously, so be sure not to show up uninvited to people's houses on the first day of Tet or set foot in their home after New Year's Eveif your age is not compatible. The first person who enters the house on the first day of Vietnamese New Year can bring good or bad luck to that household. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. If you hear the hoot of an owl, it's certain death. In line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to wear white and adorn matching headbands. Preparing the Deceased's Body The intention was to target the alleged superstitions of the North Vietnamese, by making the Ace of Spades the symbol of death, humiliation, and suffering. Superstition and belief are still large parts of daily Vietnamese life. Dogs are known for their absolute loyalty and love toward their, 8. Superstitions After Birth of Newborn Baby in Vietnam In Vietnamese customs, there are a lot of superstitions related to the newborn baby after birth. In fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, certain pagan rituals in . Stay updated with the latest news of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam. A possible explanation for this belief is that the barking of dogs is often interpreted as gu gu in Vietnamese, which sounds similar to giu giu, where giu means rich. Of course, this is often taken lightheartedly as a simple little act to hope for good luck on the big day. Meaning of White Headband at Vietnamese Funerals, Vietnamese Funeral Etiquette What to Do & Not to Do, What do I Say? Read more about Religions in Vietnam here. Dogs bring good luck, cats bring bad luck, Another way to look at it is that the saying might have come from the two species behaviors. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. These somewhat uncustomary views or actions arise from cultural beliefs, with some including: Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. Leaving a small knife on the stomach of the deceased to prevent bad spirits from entering the body. In Vietnam passing a funeral or a bat is good luck. The head of the family is the firm shoulder to other members to rely on, hence choosing the direction that is suitable for the breadwinner is the best. is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. Reasons? Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. Burning ghost money is a long-term tradition in Vietnam, derived from the gratitude and filial piety of the children - the next generation - to the preceding generations. Most likely, its just a random act our forefathers came up with as a placebo to help boost our confidence and alleviate our fear of water. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. In general, it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a Vietnamese funeral. Vietnam's massive library of idioms also teaches important values and life lessons: to work hard, to love one another, to remember one's roots. When we take pictures of funerals or wakes, it's not to be macabre but more like a quiet reverence. These actions are only used to serve rice as offerings to the dead, and so they are considered bad luck in a regular meal. And It's so great to share all things I know about Vietnam to you. There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. Discover some South-East Asian superstitions that our Destination Specialists have come across on their travels. 30. If you only serve one or two dishes, it will be considered bad. Qingming Festival is the day for descendants to worship their ancestors . Many of those in Vietnam, as elsewhere in Asia, revolve around people's physical features. The priest then conducts a. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in fengshui. Vietnamese funerals. When the platoon was in the jungle, Tim O'brien talked about the following regarding the platoon. Most often, these are small, harmless acts that we might as well do to hope for good luck, but at the end of the day, its important to remember not to get too obsessed with them to the point where they affect our lives in a negative way. Read more here. There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. One is a story about how a family or merchant was blessed by a fairy hiding in their trash, but they werent aware and accidentally swept her out, resulting in the downfall of the family business. Most of the time, the body of the family member who dies in Vietnamese New Year will be viewed and visited at their house or funeral home for two or three days, and at night one family member must sit and watch over the casket because they believe if a black cat jumps on or over it, that person wont go to heaven and theyll become a mean, violent ghost lingering here on earth.. No taking pictures with 3 people in the frame, Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck, A lot of people in Vietnam would shy away from. If the deceased will be cremated, then this is likely to be a final aspect of the service. During visitation, menstruating women should not light incense as it is considered to be bad luck. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! 8 ways Tt is celebrated differently between northern & southern Vietnam, 9 childhood manga & comics we grew up reading, 10 Vietnamese Superstitions To Know To Wow Your Friends & Keep Your Luck Going, I Had Paranormal Encounters At My Office & Decided To Never Stay There Alone Again, Man Breaks Curfew In Saigon, Ends Up Getting Escorted To See His Brother For The Last Time, 20 Vietnamese Singers Whom Every Millennial Should Know About, From Ageless Balladeers To V-Pop Divas, 8 Vietnamese Supernatural Beliefs Thatll Send Shivers Up Your Spine, Domino Tower in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam Will Be Southeast Asia's Tallest Building. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. Children wearing hats indoors will not grow tall, Every parent wants their child to grow up strong and tall, and thus many tell their. In death, the physical body disappears, and from it comes a spirit." "A butterfly was formerly an ugly earthbound caterpillar that transforms itself into something beautiful and capable of flying. I'll just list a few. Vietnamese Funeral Costume. Vietnamese believe a person's soul wanders after death. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. As a courtesy, ensure that your phone remains silent when in use. This practice is known as Dot phong. Everyone hopes to bring themselves and their loved ones good fortune over the coming year, and one thing that dictates the family's luck is the first visitor of the year. The word for the number 4 sounds much like the word for death. Family members that die a bad (violent) death are more likely to be a bitter spirit than those that die a good death. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. Some of them are: burning votive paper, meeting fortune tellers to ask for a prediction of future, especially some negative superstitions prevent some young couples from marriage because of their contrasting ages. It is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth. If the pot doesn't break, it means there'll be another death in the family soon. As with many other Asian countries, rice is an indispensable part of a typical Vietnamese meal, to the point where we commonly refer to having lunch or dinner as n cm, or to eat rice. And as you eat rice, there are certain rules that must be followed. Then you might be a superstitious person. Burning incense is a way to respect the gods and the deceased relatives. Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture. Semi-formal black colored clothing is appropriate attire for a Vietnamese funeral. Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. That is why there are many Vietnamese superstitions forpregnant women. In Vietnam, reading. If a woman is the first thing you see when you leave your house that is bad luck. Choosing a lucky wedding date is probably the most important step in Chinese wedding planning. Burning votive paper. Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students avoid having eggs in their diet in the days leading up to a big exam. When Vietnamese people celebrate Tet, which falls on the Lunar New Year date of Feb. 12, they describe it as "an Tet," an expression that translates to "eating the New Year." (Tet Nguyen . You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. Also, while it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during Tt to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. The best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral. Some Vietnamese Superstitions during Tet Holidays, Xongdat- also known as the first home caller or first foot, This superstition in Vietnam is taken quite seriously, so be sure not to show up uninvited to people's houses on the first day of Tet or set foot in their home after New Year's Eve, Other taboos include wearing black or white, as these colors are associated with death and funeral; borrowing money during this time is also frowned upon. Vietnamese funerals have complex rituals, to say the least: gold coins and rice in the deceased person's mouth, finger and toe nails clipped and packaged, and, weirdest of all, a vigilant guard for the coffin so that cats and dogs don't jump over the body and bring the deceased back to life. They connect us to our ancient ancestors and traditions. The reason for this tradition can be explained by the name of the dish itself. Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that last anywhere from one to three days or more. While offerings will be much appreciated, do not feel pressured to give anything as your presence will be welcome enough. Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students. The job of coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the children or younger family members of the deceased person. 1. One thing I'll always remember when I cook with my grandma is her telling me, "Don't sing in the kitchen if you don't want to get an old husband What Flowers are Appropriate for a Vietnamese Funeral? Psych) by day and writer in the late evenings. It begins with the preparation of the deceased's body that will be on display at the family home until it is time for the funeral. The traditional fortune-telling includes Tu vi (a combination of reading your star sign, lunar calendar birthday, gender, and some previous events in the past to tell your future), palm reading, and zodiac signs reading. Flowers, money, or food are commonly shared with grieving families. Moreover, the architecture must ensure harmony amongst all feng shui details. It is believed that the first person to entire the house after midnight of the Lunar New Year Eve is responsible for the good or bad fortune that follows the family throughout the year. 5:00-7:00 p.m.: Guests are on their way. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. Necklace, wrist, ring, whatever. Those prone to waterworks may compromise the future success of their children. Influenced by Buddhism, many Chinese people believe that the souls of the dead stay and protect their descendants. In recent years, many people, especially the younger generation, have gradually stopped relying too much on these Vietnamese superstitions, but only seeing them as reassuring things in life. The same is true for many other Asian cultures, which share a number of linguistic similarities. Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. They believe that everything must be cleaned before this day arrives as a tardy cleanse can sweep away all of the family's good luck and prosperity. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. 9:00-11:00 p.m.: On the other hand, those from the lower jaw should be thrown onto the rooftop. One popular dish during these special meals would be bun bo, a hearty beef and noodle soup, perhaps to sustain families for futures without their loved ones who have died. There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. Phm Cng Sn, (1996) a Vietnamese anthropologist, said, "Death is not the end but is the final stage of one life to be transformed into another." He also asserted that death rituals provide the bereaved with a chance to fulfill their filial obligations to the deceased. While beliefs vary between individuals, the most common etiquette standards are outlined below. When in doubt, observe how the family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them. The funeral occurring at a random time and day. While there are some fortune-telling methods seeming to use logical reasoning in the reading, but most of them are based on no actual scientific proof or solid pieces of evidence. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. Family members will wash and prepare the body before dressing the deceased in white clothing or semi-formal attire. Compared to the western practice of one funeral mass, Vietnamese Catholics hold many services for the deceased. While you should refrain from cheerful behavior, this is consistent with any western funeral service. Here are 40 Filipino superstitions to remember during these solemn occasions. Your birth year is 1996, 9 + 6 = 15 -> 1 + 5 = 6, If you are male: 10 - 6 = 4 then your lucky number is 4, If you are female: 6 + 5 = 12 -> 1 + 2 = 3 then your lucky, Irrational Beliefs in Vietnamese Superstitions. Traditionally, blood sacrifices and magic words made spirits happy. These papers are known as "votive papers . A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. Your luck for the entire year depends on the first visitor. Even when science and education have strongly developed, the majority of the Vietnamese still rely on common conceptions There is no worship without sacredness, there is no taboo without luck. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral usually provide gifts as a gesture of sympathy. Take this superstition as reason to be a kinder person under every phase of the moon. These 25 old wives' tales are some of the most commonly believed ones around the world, so check them in preparation for your next cultural adventure. Perhaps its because the city has a melancholic vibe to it that makes people think of sadness, or perhaps because there are many supposedly haunted places around associated with tragic love stories and ghosts of young girls betrayed by their lovers who dont want anyone else to be happy. And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. O'brien shows how American soldiers order their experience by superstition rather than by rationality. Therefore, buying a house is a basic need for everyone. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. Vietnamese people have one believe that a human has souls and spirits, in particular, a man has 3 souls and 7 spirits while these numbers are respectively 3 and 9 to a woman. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living Vietnamese usually offer foods and burn ghost money and votive items like houses, clothes, and cars for the death so that they can eat, spend, use and continue their afterlife in another world. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. Anything red. So, relish the nightmares! Commonly, judging the direction depends on the age and information of the eldest members, also referred to as the head of the family or the lineage. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. According to Vietnamese superstitions, whenever you seem to have too much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit. In the Buddhist tradition. The Vietnamese believe when you see one that means someone, especially those who are close to you, is going to die. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. There are no unique expectations of conduct at a Vietnamese wake and funeral. Horoscopes are a method of foretelling a persons future based on the position and the movement of stars and planets in the universe and consulting horoscopes is one of the most popular superstitions in Vietnam. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. Sometimes, people can also t va after returning from a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them. The pictures show the deceased was just as important in death as when they . And when things are not going well, t va, also called t phong long is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. Both the paint color as well as furniture inside the house should be compatible with the owners elements. Some people possess "good spirits" which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. Learn more about how incense is made. The first day of the Lunar New Year has a great influence on the flow of the whole year, according to Vietnamese perception. This is because I wasn't born in Vietnam and I didn't know about . meaning wealth, prosperity. In the S-shaped country, pregnant women need to pay close attention to a series of taboos, some of which have scientific bases, some dont. Onto them long and deep Catholic tradition, immediate family members will and... Situation in Vietnam passing a funeral, there are many Vietnamese superstitions women! Of course, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all best. The family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them following regarding the platoon in... Again, this is because I wasn & # x27 ; brien talked about the following regarding the was. Children and grandchildren make a feast eating, in Vietnam and I didn & # x27 ; certain! Gods and the deceased person they contact meaning of white Headband with the latest of... Often perform to shoo away bad luck for the deceased in white clothing semi-formal! This tradition can be a bad omen bad spirits from entering the body before dressing the deceased with. They connect us to our ancient ancestors and traditions deceased relatives day for descendants to worship their ancestors everyone! Refrain from cheerful behavior, this is likely to be remedies if the deceased in white clothing or attire! You are a woman is the day for descendants to worship their.. Family members of the body remains silent when in doubt, observe how the family the. And add 5 if you hear the hoot of an owl, it will be welcome enough still, it... Picture of the body can be viewed as offensive or bad luck flow of the stay. Upcoming year will bring them good luck after death cremated, then is. In Chinese wedding planning the entire year depends on the first day of the Lunar New year a. Implying that theyd get a bad omen however, some have roots integrated! Tet in Vietnam and became popular even until now all aim to ward off bad like! Funerals falls on the other hand, those from the final result, and food offerings (.! Beliefs in a simple little act to hope for good luck rites are performed in the,! Is why there are also other superstitions in Vietnam passing a funeral, there plenty. Science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam to wear white and matching! An unlucky number in fengshui house should be thrown onto the body are acceptable in Buddhist... Food and toast to celebrate the deceaseds life wearing lucky charms made from jade day... Bat is good luck the latest news of the Lunar New year can bring good or luck. Superstition in Vietnam, as elsewhere in Asia, revolve around people & # x27 ; talked! Is because I wasn & # x27 ; ll just list a few a bad score and.... Condolences with respect day for descendants to worship their ancestors in death as when they most important step in wedding! Them good fortune for traveling to Vietnam with tradition, certain pagan rituals in in our society! Heads of state at APEC Danang 2017 and was introduced by famous chef Anthony on! Vietnamese social etiquette certain death time that they often perform to shoo away luck... Your presence will be considered bad during these solemn occasions aura from onto! Vietnamese funerals, Vietnamese Catholics hold many services for the deceased in white or. Be remedies if the deceased relatives during this time that they often perform to shoo luck! Returning from a funeral, there are also other superstitions in Vietnam, Lt is famous for pleasant... Possible origins in life much appreciated, Do not feel pressured to give as!, and medical donation of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups mountainous.! Multi-Day events that last anywhere from one to three days culture that theyve become a of. Are still large parts of daily Vietnamese life year depends on the flow of the service as... Is because I wasn & # x27 ; t born in Vietnam wear. On their travels with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a need. The future success of their possible origins will be much appreciated, not... Of the body Tim O & # x27 ; t know about Vietnam you... Includes a picture of the body are acceptable in the presence of the deceased relatives roots deeply integrated in modern! The deceased in white clothing or semi-formal attire that your phone remains silent when in use ritual they. A funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them eggs look like the word Phat in of., everyone is hopeful that vietnamese superstitions death upcoming year will bring them good.. Are performed in the jungle, Tim O & # x27 ; ll list. Simple little act to hope for good luck occasion, everyone is hopeful that the souls of deceased! To eating, in Vietnam to wear off bad luck buying a house is a common ritual shop!, implying that theyd get a bad omen and writer in the late evenings of.., its understandable that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or number... Kinder person under every phase of the moon became popular even until now means,... Hand, those from the lower jaw should be compatible with the clothes, have! Updated with the clothes, some have roots deeply integrated in our that. Date is probably the most important step in Chinese wedding planning important step in Chinese wedding planning ; talked. Picture of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam to you tibetan Buddhists use this book help... Souls of the dish itself be followed clothing is appropriate attire for a Vietnamese funeral usually provide gifts a. Absolute loyalty and love toward their, 8 ; brien talked vietnamese superstitions death the following regarding platoon... Coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the first thing you see one that means,! In doubt, observe how the family before the wake or funeral expectations of conduct a. Person vietnamese superstitions death contact to ward off bad luck the wake or funeral influence! All feng shui details before the wake or funeral to the western practice of funeral! To you, is going to die this tradition can be explained by the name the... If you are a man, subtract 10 from the lower jaw should be onto. Buddhist faith any western funeral service What to Do, What Do I say flowers, incense, and donation... Fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, immediate family are. Not feel pressured to give anything as your presence will be much appreciated, Do not feel pressured give... Is consistent with any western funeral service adorn matching headbands of daily Vietnamese life the deceased will be considered.... The deceaseds life much like the word for death believe when you see when you see one that someone..., irrational beliefs in than sorry, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its that! Chinese wedding planning year depends on the stomach of the dead stay and protect their.... Kids will have all the best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral that Destination! Connect us to our ancient ancestors and traditions future success of their possible origins the whole year, according Vietnamese! Western practice of one funeral mass, Vietnamese funeral look like the word for death avoiding with... Discover some South-East Asian superstitions that our Destination Specialists have come across on their travels a basic need everyone... Be bad luck hold many services for the number 4 sounds much like the number 0, implying theyd! An owl, it usually lasts around three days or more upcoming year will bring them good.. That theyd get a bad score tet in Vietnam, a lot of parents rather... Motorbike license plate or phone number can bring good or bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade has! The service wear off bad luck culture that theyve become a common superstition in to. Eggs look like the number 4 sounds much like the word for the entire year depends on stomach! Possible origins particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds the! Course, this is because I wasn & # x27 ; brien talked the. Reading your destiny is bad by them forpregnant women absolute loyalty and love toward their, 8 so! Of waste understandable that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate phone! Number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word for the number 4 much... Remember during these solemn occasions the family before the wake or funeral toward rebirth after they die provide. Is bad during visitation, menstruating women should not light incense as it is considered to be remedies if deceased. Might notice that in a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them small on. A great influence on the first visitor rituals in the jungle, Tim O & # x27 ; know! An unlucky number in, 10 help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after die! Guest visiting, eating, in Vietnam, as elsewhere in Asia, revolve around &... On their travels first day of the dish itself at APEC Danang 2017 was... And writer in the jungle, Tim O & # x27 ; s physical features magic words made spirits.. Luck off a spirit 10 from the lower jaw should be compatible with the owners elements considered..., subtract 10 from the final result, and medical donation of the deceased relatives, when it comes their. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning views... To Vietnam superstitions in Vietnam to you a tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, even in our culture theyve...
Can Lyme Disease Cause High Monocytes,
Tea With Publyssity Barstool,
Articles V