The document provides an overview of the United Kingdom including key facts about its geography, government, culture, and travel tips. It discusses the UK's constituent countries, capital, population, languages, and religion. Notable aspects of British culture summarized are their renowned sense of humor, influential music scene, traditional foods like roast beef and fish and chips, passion for tea, and superstitious traditions. The document concludes with cautions and social norms for visitors to the UK.

1. HANOI UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Management and Tourism
Teacher: Ms. Khong Yen Giang
Students: Nguyen Huy Canh
Mai Duc Ha
Nguyen Thi Huong
Tran Thu Huong
International travel
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Nguyen Thi Men
Ta Hong Nhung
Tran Thi Thanh Tam
Tutorial 6

2.  UK at a glance
 Cultural capsule
 Travel tips
 Q & A
OVERVIEW

3. • Full name: United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland
• Conventional short form: United Kingdom
• Abbreviation: UK
• UK flag: Union flag
(Union Jack)
• Capital: London
• Area: 242,514 sq km
• Population: 60.7 million (2007)
• Major language: English
• Major religion: Christianity
UK at a glance

5. • UK refers to the
union of what were
once four separate
countries: England,
Scotland, Wales &
Northern Ireland
• Great Britain:
England, Scotland
& Wales
UK vs. Great
Britain

6. Wales
Northern
Ireland
National flowers
England

7. Head of state:
Queen Elizabeth II Prime minister: Gordon Brown
• Government type: constitutional monarchy
• A major player in international affairs

8. Superstition
Sense
of
humour
Gastronomy
Music

9. Sense of humour
o Subjects of humour: diverse
o Highly valued, especially in times of
trouble or difficulties
 In daily life
• Expressions
“Grin and bear it”
“See the funny side”
“Laughter is the best medicine”
• Jokes
• Play on words
• Children’s comics
• Cartoons in magazines and newspapers

11. Sense of humour (cont.)
 In comedy
• Performed by a clown in a circus,
single/ two comedians acting out
a ridiculous scene
• Typical examples: Mr. Bean,
Monty Python, Benny Hill and
Keep up appearances
• Charlie Chaplin & Rowan
Atkinson: two greatest British
comedians

12. Charles Spencer Chaplin
(1889-1977)
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson
(1955 - )

13. MUSIC
• 20th
century witnessed a
renaissance in British music
• UK – Home of the world's most
influential artists and bands: the
Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elton
John, Queen, Oasis,...
• A flourish musical life at present
(festivals, awards, media, artists,
genres)
• The X-factor: “American idol” of
the UK
MUSIC

14. World famous British artists

15.  Most popular food: roast beef (called “les rosbifts”
by French), with Yorkshire pudding
GASTRONOMY

16.  Fast food: fish and
chips (cod, haddock,
plaice with fried
potatoes)

17. TEA
• Became main drink in the
UK from 1750
• Tea breaks: tea and
biscuits are served at 11
am, 4 pm and 6 pm

18. • AFTERNOON TEA
(The traditional 4
o'clock tea)
• HIGH TEA (The
traditional 6 o'clock
tea) combine delicious
sweet foods

19. PUB
An ideal place for hanging out
with each other with good
drinks and games

20. Superstition
 Good luck
Typical examples:
 Find a four-leaf clover
 Touch wood
 Catch falling leaves in
Autumn
 Say “white rabbit” on the 1st
day of each month
 A black cat crosses your
road (different from the US)

21.  Bad luck
Typical examples:
 Walk underneath a ladder
 Break a mirror
13:unlucky number
 Feathers of a peacock
inside the house
See bats flying and
hear they cry
Superstition (cont.)

23. • Take off your hat: men
vs. women
• Do Pay as you Go
• Do Drive on the left
side of the road
• Do open doors for other
people

24. • Do not greet people with
a kiss
• Avoid doing gestures
such as backslapping
and hugging
• It is impolite to stare at
anyone in public
• Do not spit
• Never eat off a knife
when having a meal
CAUTIONS!

25. Topics shouldavoid:
 Politics and religion,
whilst in Northern Ireland
 The death of Princess
Diana
 The current war in Iraq
WHAT’S MORE?

26. NEVER!
 Refer to a Scottish
person as "English"
or vice-versa
 Refer to the entire
UK as "England
THE LAST THING…

27. • Different “affectionate” names we may
call you
Dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, me duck, me duckie, or
treacle
• Women in Britain:
It is ok for women to eat alone in a restaurant.
It is ok for women to wander around on their own

28. • By Air France
• By Korean Airlines
• By Cathay pacific
• By Japan Airlines
• By British Airways

29. Where to get information
about the UK ???
Most reliable sources:
 British Embassy
Central building, 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
 British Council
20 Thuy Khue, Hanoi
 British Tourist Authority (the official travel and
tourism guide to the UK)
www.visitbritain.com
 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
www.bbc.co.uk
(politics, economy, entertainment, weather…
and travel guide)