17. If you’re travelling to Vietnam for the first
time, gaining a knowledge of local customs
and etiquette will go a long way to help you
avoid any embarrassing situations where
you may inadvertently cause offence, or
worse, get into serious trouble! Vietnamese
people are very proud of their culture and
heritage, and this is displayed in the subtle
social conventions and customs you’ll
encounter.
18. Do
•Dress more conservatively than you would at
home (ideally covering your shoulders and
knees).
•Hold hands, but public physical displays of
affection such as hugging and kissing are
frowned upon.
•Respect social hierarchies and understand the
concepts of “collectivism” and “face”
•Pass items with both hands
•Smile, wave, and say xin chao (hello)!
19. Don’t
•Wear bare shoulders or shorts to temples or pagodas
– this is seen as very rude and offensive.
•Take photos of military installations or anything to do
with the military. This can be seen as a breach of
national security. You should also avoid taking photos
of political figures such as Ho Chi Minh.
•Get naked. Nudity is always seen as totally
inappropriate, even when sunbathing!
•Be offended if somebody laughs at you. In
Vietnamese culture, laughing at somebody’s
embarrassment is a way of helping them make light of
the situation – it’s not intended to make fun or offend
you.
