“FIVE CONSTANTS”, “FIVE PRECEPTS”, “FIVE VỈTUES”: THE CULTURAL FOUNDATION OF VIETNAM’S YOUNG GENERATION

Abstract

This paper examines and analyzes three core ethical systems that have shaped the evolution of Vietnamese culture and thought: the “Five Constants” (Ngũ Thường) of Confucius, the “Five Precepts” (Ngũ Giới) of Buddhism, and the “Five Virtues” (Năm tính tốt) advocated by President Ho Chi Minh. Through an interdisciplinary approach that connects the history of ideas, moral philosophy, and educational science, the study clarifies the continuity, interaction, and transformation among traditional and modern moral foundations in Vietnam. The findings show that the “Five Constants” establish the moral and social order of human conduct; the “Five Precepts” guide people toward self-discipline, compassion, and harmony with others; while the “Five Virtues” represent a creative synthesis that defines the moral character of modern Vietnamese people, deeply rooted in national spirit and imbued with universal humanistic values. The paper also proposes ways to apply these value systems in general education, higher education, community education, and leadership training in order to develop moral integrity, cultural identity, and social responsibility among the young generation in the context of globalization and digital transformation. The study affirms that the “Five Constants”, “Five Precepts”, and “Five Virtues” together form a solid cultural foundation for Vietnamese youth, helping them grow harmoniously in intellect, morality, and compassion, which serves as the ethical basis for the sustainable development of the nation.