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Amit Khanna Staff answered 5 months ago
When visiting Vietnam, understanding and respecting local customs and etiquette can greatly enhance your experience and help you make a positive impression. Here are some key cultural customs and etiquette tips to keep in mind:
1. Greeting and Respect
Greetings: A common way to greet someone is with a friendly smile and a nod. In more formal settings, a slight bow or a handshake is appropriate. The traditional Vietnamese greeting is a slight bow with hands pressed together, known as a “Namaste” gesture.
Respect for Elders: Always show respect to elders. Address them with proper titles and use polite language. In Vietnamese culture, respect for older people is highly valued.
2. Dress Code
Modesty: Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples, pagodas, and religious sites. Cover your shoulders and knees, and avoid wearing revealing clothing.
Footwear: Remove your shoes before entering homes, temples, or certain businesses. It’s customary to wear clean, modest socks or go barefoot inside.
3. Dining Etiquette
Chopsticks: Use chopsticks properly—do not stick them upright in a bowl of rice, as this resembles a funeral ritual. Avoid pointing with chopsticks or passing food directly from chopstick to chopstick.
Sharing Food: Vietnamese meals are often shared family-style. It’s polite to take a small portion of each dish and not to overfill your plate.
Compliments: Complimenting the food is a good way to show appreciation. It’s also polite to wait for the host to begin eating before you start.
4. Tipping and Paying
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated in restaurants, hotels, and for services. A tip of around 10% of the bill is generally acceptable if service is not included.
Paying: When paying, especially in small local shops, it is polite to use both hands to hand over money, as a sign of respect.
5. Public Behavior
Public Display of Affection: Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hugging, are generally considered inappropriate. Holding hands is acceptable.
Volume: Vietnamese people generally speak softly in public places. Loud conversations or behavior may be seen as rude.
6. Photography
Asking Permission: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural areas or at religious sites. Some places may have restrictions on photography.
7. Cultural Sensitivities
Religious Sites: When visiting temples or pagodas, be respectful. Do not touch or climb on religious statues or artifacts. Avoid making noise or disruptive behavior.
Patience and Politeness: Vietnamese people value patience and politeness. Try to remain calm and respectful in any situation, even if there are misunderstandings or delays.
8. Social Etiquette
Giving and Receiving Gifts: When giving or receiving gifts, use both hands as a sign of respect. Avoid giving gifts in sets of four, as the number four is associated with death in Vietnamese culture.
Addressing People: Use appropriate titles and honorifics when addressing people. For example, “Ông” (Mr.) and “Bà” (Mrs.) are common formal titles.
9. Personal Space and Touch
Personal Space: Vietnamese people value personal space, so avoid standing too close to others. It’s also important to avoid touching someone’s head, as the head is considered sacred.
10. Communication
Indirect Communication: Vietnamese communication can be indirect. People might avoid saying “no” directly to avoid causing embarrassment. Read between the lines and be sensitive to non-verbal cues.
By following these customs and etiquette guidelines, you’ll show respect for Vietnamese culture and enhance your travel experience.
Subhash Staff answered 5 months ago
Understanding customs and etiquette is important when traveling to any country. In Vietnam, adhering to local customs and etiquette will enhance your experience and show respect to the people and culture. Here’s a guide to key customs and etiquette in Vietnam:
**1. Greetings
Bowing and Handshakes: A slight bow or nod of the head is a common greeting. Handshakes are also common, especially in business settings, but they may be softer than Western handshakes.
Addressing People: Use titles and last names when addressing people, such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” followed by their last name. First names are used in informal settings.
**2. Respect for Elders
Hierarchy: Show respect to elders and people in positions of authority. They are given priority in conversations and decision-making.
**3. Dress Code
Modesty: Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing and cover your shoulders and knees.
Business Attire: For formal or business settings, wear professional attire such as suits or business casual clothing.
**4. Dining Etiquette
Chopsticks: Use chopsticks properly. Do not stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, as this resembles a funeral ritual.
Sharing Food: It’s common to share dishes. Use the serving utensils provided to transfer food to your plate.
Paying the Bill: When dining out, it’s polite to wait for the host or senior member of the group to pay the bill.
**5. Respecting Religious Practices
Temples and Pagodas: Remove your shoes before entering temples or pagodas. Dress conservatively and avoid touching religious artifacts.
Monks: Show respect to monks. When offering something to a monk, use both hands and avoid physical contact.
**6. Tipping
Service Industry: Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated in restaurants, hotels, and taxis. A small tip of 5-10% is generally sufficient if service is good.
**7. Public Behavior
Personal Space: Maintain appropriate personal space. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon.
Volume: Keep your voice at a moderate volume. Loud conversations or behavior can be considered rude.
**8. Gift-Giving
Gifts: When giving gifts, it’s polite to present them with both hands. Avoid giving sharp objects, such as knives or scissors, as they are thought to cut relationships.
**9. Interactions with Locals
Smile and Be Polite: Vietnamese people value politeness and a friendly demeanor. Smiling and showing appreciation for their culture and traditions can go a long way.
Bargaining: In markets and some shops, bargaining is common. Approach it with a friendly attitude and be respectful.
**10. Photography
Asking Permission: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural areas or in religious settings.
Restricted Areas: Be aware of signs indicating restricted areas where photography is not allowed.
**11. Behavior in Public Transport
Queueing: Follow local customs for queuing and waiting for your turn. Public transport can be crowded, so patience and courtesy are appreciated.
**12. Health and Hygiene
Hand Washing: Practice good hygiene, including regular hand washing. Carry hand sanitizer if necessary.
Street Food: Enjoy street food but choose vendors with clean and hygienic practices to avoid foodborne illnesses.
Summary
Respect and Politeness: Show respect for local customs, elders, and religious practices.
Dress Modestly: Adhere to modest dress codes, especially when visiting sacred places.
Proper Use of Chopsticks: Use chopsticks correctly and avoid actions that resemble funerals.
Friendly Interaction: Smile and engage politely with locals, and be mindful of public behavior.
By following these customs and etiquettes, you will have a respectful and enjoyable experience in Vietnam.