Vietnam Travel Information
Read Full Travel Guide
Vietnam Culture and Traditions
Vietnam provides serious competition to Thailand for being the friendliest place in SE Asia – wherever one goes people are happy, smiling and welcoming. You should dispel any worries of being harassed as a result of the 20th century wars – people have in every way moved on (if not having forgotten).
Vietnam embraces many eastern religions including Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism as well as ancestor worship, Cao Daism and the western religions. Common though are eastern traditions of respect and an awareness and respect of such local traditions is essential.
Always avoid pointing your feet at people when sitting or sat down and do not extend your legs so that people have to step over them. No-one should not be patted or touched on the head as the head is much revered as the seat of a person’s spirit. Respect should be shown to all images of the Buddha and again here the feet should not be pointed towards any Buddha image.
As ever in Asia dress should be modest in cities, towns and villages with knee length shorts for both sexes and for women T.shirts rather than bare shoulders and strappy tops. Shoes are always removed when entering homes. The above dress code is essential when visiting temples.
Beach resorts have more relaxed standards of dress though topless or nude bathing is not acceptable anywhere in Vietnam.
The palm-together greeting common in Asia is occasionally used but the handshake is now perhaps more common. As with many Asian nations the Vietnamese loathe to raise their voices and lose control; the concept of retaining face is essential and losing ones temper is seen as embarrassing as you lose face in doing so. Try to remain calm under all circumstances.