In this post, I will discuss values and etiquette in Vietnam. These are important to remember is you ever visit Vietnam to avoid offending people.
Values within Vietnam often center around humility, restraint, and modesty. This means that one should avoid showing off wealth. PDA is often frowned upon and should be avoided. Additionally, one should try and dress conservatively, as well as give honor and preference to the eldest member of the group.
When visiting religious sites, it is important to remember not to be a distraction. This means that one should avoid tight-fitting/overly short attire. Women should wear a shirt with sleeves and shorts that go to the knee. One should also remove hats when visiting a sacred site. This is because heads are considered the most sacred place on the body and feet are considered the least sacred. The head being sacred, means that you should never touch another person’s head. One should also never point the soles of their feet towards any other person or towards any sacred statues.
Another important thing to know when visiting Vietnam is proper greetings. Commonly, you can greet people by saying “Xin Chao”, this means hello. Some people may just say “Chao”; however, this is commonly reserved only for people who you are really familiar with. So, for strangers or someone older you should use “Xin Chao”. It is also important to note that since Vietnamese is a tonal language, you should make sure you are using the proper tones when speaking or else the meaning of what you are trying may change drastically.
When it comes to Dining etiquette, there are many unspoken rules. Before eating, you should say “Chúc mọi người ăn ngon miệng”. This means the same thing as “Enjoy,” but also shows your excitement for the meal. Remember that the oldest at the table always eats first. One should always clean their plate; it is often considered offensive to leave food on your plate. You should also avoid picking your teeth. If you absolutely need to, you should cover your mouth with your hand or a napkin. You should also not hold your chopsticks straight up. This is because the motion is similar to a common funeral rite. Additionally, relating to chopstick etiquette, you should not play with your chopsticks, this includes sucking on or tapping them. It is also important to remember that you are not required to keep your bowl on the table, you are allowed to bring it up to you.
You may be wondering what you should pack/wear in Vietnam. More than anything, you should attempt to primarily pack modest clothing. This may not be as upheld in more touristy areas, but when in doubt, one should try their best to dress conservatively. This means long shorts, avoiding revealing shirts, covering knees and shoulders. One should also try to pack more light weight clothing as Vietnams climate is often warm and humid.
One the most important thing to remember is to respect others. You should avoid standing with your arms crossed in public. Additionally, you should also avoid standing with your hands on your hips. Both of these behaviors may come off as arrogant and standoffish. You should also avoid flaunting your money or criticizing others.
There are also many common taboos that one could fall into, so to avoid those, here are a few things you can do. Try your best to control your temper, especially when in public or around other people. You should also avoid public touching, especially with someone of the opposite sex. This relates to the value of remaining as modest as possible. You should also remember that the head is sacred and do your best to avoid touching someone else’s head. If you find yourself in a situation where you are handing something to someone, you should use two hands. This also applies to is you are receiving something. You should also avoid pointing as it can be seen as disrespectful and rude. Finally, when going into some else’s house, you should always remove your shoes.
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