Vietnam is a beautiful country in Southeast Asia with rich cultural, flavorful cuisine and stunning landscapes spreading from North to South. For people who set foot in this place for the first time, please have a look at this simple guide to the basic etiquettes which will help you to avoid public embarrassment and experience a wonderful visit.
DO’S WHEN IN VIETNAM
1. Do Be Friendly and Learn Some Proper Salutations
Mastering a handful of elementary Vietnamese phrases signifies your admiration for the local culture and can greatly enhance your ability to interact with residents. In Vietnam, people rarely say the words “excuse me”. Instead, they say “hey you!” but use different versions of “you” to indicate respect which will depend on the age and gender of the speaker and the listener.
Here are some variations of “YOU” that are commonly used in Vietnamese:
For male:
Younger than you: Em ơi (em oi)
Older than you:
- Anh ơi (An oi) for who is a bit older than you.
- Chú ơi (Choo oi) for who is old enough to be your uncle
- Ông ơi (Om oi) for who is old enough to be your grandfather
For Female
Younger than you: Em ơi (em oi)
Older than you:
- Chị ơi (Chi oi) for who is a bit older than you.
- Cô ơi (Goh oi) for who is old enough to be your ant
- Bà ơi (Ba oi) for who is old enough to be your grandmother
Otherwise, you can smile and simply say “Xin Chao” (Sin Chow) to greet new people.
2. Do Dress Appropriately when Visiting Temples or Sacred Sites
Dressing modestly while visiting temples and other religious sites in Vietnam is crucial as a gesture of respect for the local culture and traditions. This practice also minimizes the risk of causing offense or discomfort to the locals and allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the spiritual atmosphere of the site. Remember to keep your shoulders/chest and knees covered and hide as much bare skins as you can.
3. Do Show Respect towards the Locals and their Customs
Vietnamese people are known for their lively and sociable nature, but they also hold a strong sense of pride in their rich cultural heritage and strong work ethic. However, there is a level of caution among some Vietnamese towards foreigners, who might inadvertently cross cultural boundaries due to a lack of understanding of the intricate cultural dynamics at play.
A smile holds significant value, particularly in instances where language barriers exist. Offering a basic greeting such as “xin chào” (hello) or expressing gratitude with “cảm ơn” (thank you) effectively conveys your positive intentions and often elicits a smile from locals.
4. Do Ask before Taking Photographs
Vietnam presents numerous stunning photo opportunities, and while many individuals are open to having their picture taken, it’s essential to honor their privacy by seeking permission before capturing a photograph. This approach ensures that you treat your subjects with the same level of respect you would expect for yourself, and it also offers a distinctive chance to gain insight into someone’s life. Besides, in some places or famous towns, you may be requested to pay small fee for taking pictures.
To be noted that, you are not allowed to take a picture of any military bases or political installations.
5. Do Eat with Good Manner
In Vietnam, the dining experience emphasizes communal sharing. You can see that most meals are prepared with many shared dishes and small rice bowl. The hosts will display good hospitality by offering food, refilling guests’ glasses, and ensuring they receive the best portions of a dish in their bowl.
You should finish your meal with a clean plate as a compliment to the cooker and you should not eat before the oldest or the host. Besides, holding chopsticks vertically upright can be perceived as offensive, as it resembles burning incense at a funeral, which is considered highly disrespectful in Vietnamese culture as well as Asia.
DON’TS WHEN IN VIETNAM
1. Do not Kiss or Cuddle in Public Settings
Public displays of affection are not common in Vietnam and might be considered inappropriate. It is advised to avoid intimate physical gestures like kissing or hugging in public, especially in more conservative areas. Shaking hand is preferable in most cases.
2. Do not Showing Anger or Raise your Voice in Public
In Vietnamese culture, openly expressing emotions, especially anger, is considered inappropriate and harmful to everyone’s dignity. It is deemed more respectful to remain composed and address issues calmly and privately.
As a general guideline, it’s important to remain composed and avoid engaging in loud arguments, causing a scene, criticizing others for their mistakes, or highlighting anything that may lead locals to feel embarrassed or ashamed.
3. Do not Touch Someone’s Head
In Vietnamese culture, the head is highly respected, and any unpermitted touching of it is deemed a trespass of personal boundaries and a sign of disrespect. Therefore, It’s a good idea to avoid pointing at people or patting them on the back or head, particularly if they are older than you.
Besides, when passing something to someone, it’s customary to use your right hand or both hands, rather than just one hand or your left hand.
4. Do not Wear Shoes when Entering a Temple or Someone’s Home
Taking off shoes upon entering a home or temple is a common practice in Vietnam, signifying respect and maintaining cleanliness, especially in households where people often sit or sleep on the floor. Adhering to this tradition can help avoid cultural misunderstandings and demonstrate appreciation and respect for local customs.
5. Do not Bring up War and Political Topics.
Bringing up the Vietnam War or politics in general can be a sensitive issue in Vietnam. Vietnamese people have mixed feelings about the American War so it’s advisable to avoid such discussions to prevent any possible discomfort or misunderstandings.
Some Other Things You Should Know When Visiting Vietnam for the First Time:
- Bring along bottles of water. Tap water is not safe for drinking directly in Vietnam
- Haggle when shopping is necessary but with a positive attitude. And you must accept that you will not get the price as the locals do.
- Carry small Vietnam Dong notes for easy transactions
- Prepare for the heat. Use hat, sun cream to protect you from the sun and hot weather
- Walk or ride carefully because the traffic in Vietnam is overwhelming and have no rules, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
If you have other concerns or questions about Vietnam travel, feel free to contact our experienced travel experts at any times. Asia Tourify is glad to be your trustworthy companion in your Vietnam holiday.