Vietnam captivates visitors with its stunning natural beauty, from the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to the Mekong Delta's floating markets. This Southeast Asian nation seamlessly blends ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and dynamic modern cities with a rich culinary tradition that has gained worldwide acclaim.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Remove your shoes before entering someone's home and many temples - look for a pile of shoes at the entrance as your cue
Dress modestly when visiting temples, pagodas, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - cover shoulders and knees
The head is considered sacred and the feet lowest - never touch someone's head and avoid pointing feet at people or religious images
Saving face (giu the dien) is paramount in Vietnamese culture - avoid direct confrontation or public criticism that causes embarrassment
Accept gifts and food with both hands as a sign of respect
Bargaining is expected in markets but should be done with a smile and good humor, never aggressively
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet Vietnamese people with a nod and a smile - a warm demeanor opens many doors
- Remove shoes before entering homes and many religious sites
- Dress modestly at temples and pagodas - cover shoulders and knees
- Try to learn a few Vietnamese words - locals appreciate any effort enormously
- Wait to be seated or guided at formal dinners and family gatherings
- Use both hands when giving or receiving business cards, gifts, or money
- Carry small denomination VND notes for street food, markets, and tipping
Don't
- Don't raise your voice in public or show visible anger - it causes loss of face for everyone involved
- Don't touch a Vietnamese person's head or point your feet at them or religious objects
- Don't photograph military installations, government buildings, or police without permission
- Don't display excessive public affection - holding hands is fine but kissing in public is frowned upon
- Don't refuse food or drink offered by a Vietnamese host - it is deeply impolite
- Don't wear shoes inside Vietnamese homes or many temples - look for others' shoes to know the custom
- Don't make direct negative comments about the Vietnamese government - political criticism is sensitive
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Tet (Lunar New Year)
Vietnam's most important festival where families reunite, homes are cleaned and decorated with kumquat trees and peach blossoms, and ancestors are honored. The first visitor to a home after midnight on Tet Eve (xong dat) sets the family's fortune for the year.
Ancestor Veneration
Most Vietnamese homes have an altar with photographs of deceased relatives, incense, and offerings. Burning paper money and offerings is common at funerals and death anniversaries, representing the belief that the dead need provisions in the afterlife.
Communal Eating
Vietnamese meals are always shared from communal dishes in the center of the table - never plated individually. The eldest person or guest is typically served first and should begin eating before others start.
Gift Giving
Bring a gift when visiting a Vietnamese home - fresh fruit, quality tea, or sweets are appropriate. Wrap gifts in colorful paper (avoid white or black which signify mourning). Gifts are typically not opened in front of the giver.
Incense at Pagodas
At Buddhist pagodas, purchase incense sticks (huong) at the entrance and light them to place in the large incense burners while bowing respectfully. This is considered a respectful participation in Vietnamese Buddhist practice, not just a tourist activity.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Traditional greeting is a slight bow with hands pressed together, though handshakes are common in business. Address people formally using their title and first name (Vietnamese names run surname-given name). 'Xin chao' (sin chow) is a polite hello.
- Dining
- Wait for the host to begin eating. Hold your rice bowl close to your mouth while eating. Use chopsticks to transfer food from communal dishes. Compliment the food - it is greatly appreciated. Leaving food on the plate is acceptable.
- Dress
- Smart casual is appropriate for restaurants and social settings. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) required at temples, pagodas, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
- Gifts
- Bring fruit, quality tea, or sweets when visiting a home. Avoid handkerchiefs (associated with grief), sharp objects (severing relations), or black/white wrapping. Present gifts with both hands.
- Business
- Exchange business cards with both hands and take a moment to study the card before putting it away respectfully. Hierarchy is important - greet the most senior person first.
- Tipping
- 10-15% in upscale restaurants if service charge not included. $1-2/day for hotel housekeeping. $5-10 for tour guides. Tipping not expected at street food stalls or local eateries.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Xin chào
Hello
Sin chow
Cảm ơn
Thank you
Gam un
Bao nhiêu tiền?
How much?
Bow nyew tyen?
Đắt quá
Too expensive
Dat qua
Ngon quá
Delicious
Ngon qua
Tôi không ăn thịt
I don't eat meat
Toy kong an tit
... ở đâu?
Where is...?
... uh dow?
Cho tôi nước
Water please
Cho toy nuoc
Tính tiền
The bill please
Ting tyen
Không, cảm ơn
No thank you
Kong, gam un
Chúc sức khỏe!
Cheers!
Chook sook khoe!
Xin lỗi
Excuse me / Sorry
Sin loy
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Vietnam.
Main: Buddhism is the predominant religion, practiced by roughly 70% of Vietnamese in the Mahayana tradition. Vietnam also has significant Catholic communities (7%), especially in HCMC and surrounding provinces, as a French colonial legacy. Cao Dai - a uniquely Vietnamese syncretic religion - has 3-4 million followers, mainly in the South.
Sites: Tran Quoc Pagoda (Hanoi, 1,500 years old), One Pillar Pagoda (Hanoi), Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue), Xa Loi Pagoda (HCMC), Notre Dame Cathedral (HCMC), Cao Dai Holy See Temple (Tay Ninh)
Holy Days: Tet (Lunar New Year, January/February) is the most important festival. Buddha's Birthday (Vesak, May), Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October), Hung Kings' Temple Festival (April), Vu Lan Ghost Festival (August).
Conversations: Avoid criticizing the government, Communist Party, or national leaders. War history is sensitive - the Vietnamese perspective differs fundamentally from Western narratives. Discussions about the South Vietnamese government or American side can be uncomfortable for many locals.