What to follow to avoid embarrassing situations while traveling in Vietnam? What is the most special thing when it comes to Vietnamese cultures? How to behave in this traditional country? Let's discover now!
Traveling to a country is learning about nature, the customs, the tradition, the culture of that country, especially in a traditional and diverse cultural country like Vietnam. In fact, Vietnam is divided into 3 regions with 3 different cultures and traditions; nevertheless, they are the same in general.
Actually, thanks to the development of society, Vietnam has been becoming more and more open-minded that you don’t have to worry like before. With the Vietnamese young generation, you can behave in Western-style, and with the old generation, just remember some basic customs.
Then, what should you keep in mind?
Visiting religious sites
Do:
Wear long pants or dress to cover your body (at least to the knees)
Respect everyone even visitors or monks
Ask before taking photos, especially in-house works
Definitely keep silent, especially when people do worship
Don’t:
Wear your hats when visiting a sacred site
Wear shorts, tight-fitting clothes, a bikini…
Touch the head of any statue even the small one to express the respect
Put your feet on any sacred statues
Greeting and meeting
Do:
Say “Xin Chào” when meeting someone, or just “Hi” with young people. Or simply bowing your head instead
Shake hands in some formal meeting
Keep smiling while greeting since Vietnamese are fun-loving
Do eye contact while talking
Don’t:
Hug or kiss when greeting, especially with female
Be rude in the first-time meeting
Call someone by a proper title that you are not sure is true or not, especially with aged people
Glare at someone while greeting
Invitation
Do:
Reply whether you can accept the invitation or not
Bring a small gift if you are invited to visit a family
Give lucky money and wear bright-colored clothes to a wedding ceremony
Bring incense and wear black or white clothes to a funeral
Don’t:
Keep silent if you cannot accept the invitation
Wear colorful clothes and make noise in a funeral
On the table
Do:
Eat after the elder starts
Try to use the chopsticks to enjoy a meal
Have small talk and smile when having meals
Enjoy meal even though you don’t like it honestly
Invite the family to start the meal with “Moi ca nha an com”
Say “Mot, hai, ba dzo” to cheer up while drinking beers or alcohol
Help them to clean the table after eating
Don’t:
Laugh loudly while eating
Play with the utensils, especially chopsticks and food
Act like you don’t like the food. One tip for you, just say you cannot eat it because it’s your first time or you are a foreigner
In a house
Do:
Take off your shoes, hats, and jackets when walking inside
Greet the family from the eldest people
Ask before using something or taking photos
Don’t:
Freely go inside the house without permission
Using everything naturally like at your home
In the public
Do:
Say “Cam on” to thank someone
Say “Xin loi” to apologize to someone
Make room for walkers on the street
Don’t:
Point at someone by hands
Flaunt your money
Glare at someone
Take photos in military sites
Get naked in the public area