Transnational Khmer cultural landscapes: A comparative analysis of symbols, belief systems, and communal structures in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos

A comparative analysis of Khmer cultural symbols across Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos reveals distinct patterns of symbolization and identity formation. While Cambodia has nationalized the Khmer symbolic system as a cornerstone of its national identity, Vietnam's Khmer community acts as a soft agent of indigenization, preserving symbolic forms through rituals, temples, language, and performative practices. In contrast, Thailand and Laos have largely assimilated or excluded these symbols from public representation. The study proposes a three-tiered model of symbolic analysis—encompassing visual, functional, and mnemonic dimensions—and introduces a new approach to minority identity studies in regional contexts, highlighting the unique intermediary role of the Vietnamese Khmer within Southeast Asia's cultural architecture.

Ca, N. M., Diem, N. T., & Pham, H. T. (2025). Transnational Khmer cultural landscapes: A comparative analysis of symbols, belief systems, and communal structures in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(6), 760–775. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i6.7874