The Cultural Significance of Khmer Cuisine in Tra Vinh: Classification, Identification, and Transformations in the Context of Globalization

Abstract

Khmer cuisine in Tra Vinh embodies not only the cultural values, indigenous knowledge, and agrarian beliefs of the Khmer community in Southern Vietnam, but also serves as a symbolic component of regional cultural identity. From the perspective of cultural studies, this paper aims to classify, identify, and interpret the distinctive characteristics of Khmer cuisine in Tra Vinh through the interrelation among human beings, environment, and cultural practice. Furthermore, the study explores the transformations of Khmer culinary traditions amid globalization and contemporary cultural exchange. These transformations reveal both the dynamic adaptability of the community to socio-economic changes and the emerging challenges in safeguarding and promoting intangible cultural heritage in the integration era. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Khmer culinary culture as a specific cultural code, while suggesting interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Southern Vietnamese food culture today.