Vietnamese etiquette for travellers - Dos and Don’ts in Vietnam

Vietnam is known for its diverse culture and fun-loving people. Divided into three distinct regions, this long strip of country is a goldmine of stories and traditions. If you’re coming to Vietnam for the first time, a basic knowledge of the local customs can help you engage with the people you’ll meet in a friendly, positive way. Here are eight top tips to get you started.

Practice the art of saving face

The idea of “saving face” has long been an important part of life in Vietnam. Most Vietnamese will avoid public displays that could compromise their reputation. As a general rule, keep your cool and avoid loud arguments, making a scene, berating others for mistakes, or pointing out anything that may cause the locals to feel shamed. 

TIP: Vietnamese dislike public displays of affection, and men and women often do not touch in front of others. Try to respect the local sentiment by keeping public displays of affection to a minimum.

Take care when visiting temples or homes

When you enter someone’s house, take your shoes off just outside the door. Vietnamese families keep altars in their shops and homes, including some at ground level: Don’t step over these ground altars or walk around directly in front of them. 

When visiting temples, wear modest clothing and always remove your shoes and hat. You can carry shoes with you, but just don't wear them on your feet.

TIP: When visiting a family home, bring a box of biscuits or cake, fruit, flowers or soft drinks as a gift -- never bring anything black. Greet the older members of a family first, shake hands with your right hand and offer plenty of smiles to everyone!

Dress as the Vietnamese do

In Vietnamese cities, there’s an appreciation of modern fashion and contemporary clothes are worn by many young people. Outside the urban centres, most Vietnamese are quite traditional and modest. Visible undergarments, sheer fabrics and skimpy attire will not endear you to your Vietnamese hosts and acquaintances. 

Observing the locals where you are staying will give you a good idea of what is acceptable in terms of clothing and coverage. Foreigners should note that men should not be seen shirtless in public, and swimwear is welcome only on the beach or in your resort. You can show respect for Vietnamese customs by wearing clothing that does not offend the locals.

Eat with good manners

Mealtimes in Vietnam are all about sharing. Most meals are laid out as an assortment of shared dishes, with small rice bowls and chopsticks for each diner. Pass dishes at the table with both hands or your right hand (not the left) and hold your spoon in your left hand if you’re eating soup.

It is considered good hospitality for a host to offer you food, refill your glass and put the best bits of a dish into your bowl. If you want to stop eating, simply repeat politely that you’re very full. In most social gatherings the person who made the invitation is the one who pays the bill. Otherwise, the most senior person is the one who pays. 

TIP: Tipping in Vietnam is more common among tour guides and in spas, but less so in restaurants. If you feel the service warrants a tip, feel free, but you are under no obligation to tip in Vietnam.

Learn the correct salutations

In Vietnam, people rarely say the words “excuse me”. Instead, they say “hey you!” but use different versions of “you” to indicate respect. 

Use the following variations depending on who you're talking to:

• For a male or female younger than you - Em ơi (em oi). Em means “younger sibling."
• For a woman a bit older than you - Chị ơi (chi oi). Chị means “older sister."
• For a man a bit older than you - Anh ơi (An oi). Anh means “older brother.”
• For a woman old enough to be your aunt - Cô ơi (goh oi). 
• For a man old enough to be your uncle - Chú ơi (choo oi). 
• For a woman old enough to be your grandmother - Bà ơi (ba oi). 
• For a man who is old enough to be your grandfather - Ông ơi (om oi). 

This can all get a little complex, so if in doubt, say “bạn ơi!” (bang oi) which simply means, “hey friend!”

Do learn a few basic phrases in Vietnamese, it shows respect for the culture

Learning a few basic phrases in Vietnamese is a sign of respect for the local culture and can help you communicate better with locals. Even just saying hello or thank you in Vietnamese can go a long way in building rapport with the people you meet during your travels in Vietnam.

Use your hands wisely

While the middle finger is not traditionally an offensive digit in Vietnam, the typical “fingers crossed” gesture that many people from the West make to indicate that they are hoping for the best is highly impolite. If you hope for good luck, keep your fingers out of it!

It’s also a good idea to avoid pointing at people or patting people on the back or head, particularly if they are older than you. When you pass something along, use your right hand or both of your hands, rather than just one hand or your left hand. 

Smile and be friendly

Vietnamese are fun-loving people, however they are also very proud of their deep-rooted traditions and hardworking ethics. Some Vietnamese can be wary of foreigners, who may overstep without realising the complicated cultural undercurrents behind a situation. A smile can go a long way in Vietnam, especially when language fails. A simple hello (xin chào) or thank you (cảm ơn) communicates your goodwill and will usually earn a smile from the Vietnamese. 

TIP: When drinking, most Vietnamese will raise their glasses and “cheers” every time they drink, sipping together as a group rather than individually. Vietnamese use the word “do” (yo in the south, zo in the north) to say 'cheers'. One of the most common things you'll hear around Vietnamese nightlife is “một, hai, ba, dô!” (one, two, three, drink.)

Do carry small bills of Vietnamese Dong for easy transactions

Carrying small bills of Vietnamese Dong is a do in Vietnam because it makes transactions easier and more convenient. Many small vendors and shops may not have change for larger bills, so carrying small denominations ensures a smoother shopping experience

Do be respectful towards locals and their customs

Being respectful towards locals and their customs is a must-do in Vietnam. Vietnamese people are friendly and hospitable, and showing respect towards their culture and traditions can help create a positive and enjoyable experience for both travelers and locals.

Ask before taking photographs

There are so many beautiful photo opportunities in Vietnam and most people will be fine with you taking their photo, but respect their privacy and always ask before you lift up your camera. Taking photos of people without their permission is considered impolite and intrusive in Vietnam. It’s important to respect people’s privacy and culture, and ask for permission before taking their photo. Taking photos this way offers the same level of respect to your subjects as you would apply to yourself, and it can be a unique and fascinating opportunity to learn a bit about someone’s life. In some cases, people may request a small payment in exchange for allowing their photo to be taken.

Don’t show too much affection in public

Public displays of affection are not common in Vietnam and may be seen as inappropriate. It is best to avoid intimate physical contact such as kissing or hugging in public, especially in more conservative areas. Holding hands is generally acceptable.

Don’t wear revealing clothing, it is not appropriate in the culture

In Vietnam, modesty is highly valued and wearing revealing clothing can be considered disrespectful. It is important to dress appropriately and cover your shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites or interacting with locals to show respect for the culture

Don’t raise your voice or show anger in public, it is considered impolite

In Vietnamese culture, showing emotions publicly, especially anger, is seen as inappropriate and a loss of face for all parties involved. It is considered more respectful to keep your composure and address issues calmly and privately. Raising your voice or showing anger in public may also lead to misunderstandings and further conflict

Don’t touch someone’s head, it is considered disrespectful in Vietnam

In Vietnamese culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, and touching it without permission is seen as a violation of personal space and disrespectful. Therefore, it’s important to avoid touching someone’s head in Vietnam to show respect for their beliefs and cultural traditions

Don’t use your feet to point at something or someone

In Vietnam, it is considered rude to use your feet to point at something or someone as it is seen as disrespectful. Feet are considered the lowest part of the body and pointing with them is considered impolite and offensive. It is better to use your hands to gesture instead

Don’t disrespect the national flag or the country’s leaders

Disrespecting the national flag or the country’s leaders is a serious offense in Vietnam, and it is not taken lightly. As a foreign visitor, it is important to be aware of this and avoid any behavior that may be interpreted as disrespectful towards these symbols of national pride and unity. This includes avoiding any disrespectful gestures, language or behavior towards these symbols or any political figure.

Don’t bring up the Vietnam War or politics in general

Bringing up the Vietnam War or politics in general can be a sensitive topic in Vietnam. It’s best to avoid discussing it to prevent any uncomfortable situations or misunderstandings

Don’t litter, the country is struggling with waste management

Littering is considered disrespectful in Vietnam and can lead to fines. The country is struggling with waste management, so it is important to dispose of trash properly to help preserve the environment