Home
Vietnam
PLAN MY VISIT
Vietnam Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Vietnam
  3. Travel Guides

Vietnamese Culture

Vietnam is a welcoming country with a conservative culture. You’ll meet lots of people eager to tell you about their lives, their traditions, and their religion. If you want to try out a few words of Vietnamese, you’ll be met with good-humored encouragement.

Flag of Vietnam

Team Anywhere Vietnam designs awesomeFamily,Couple, andSolo vacations.

Vietnamese culture varies across its three distinct regions. Southern Vietnamese people have a harder-partying reputation. During the Vietnamese war, more Americans were based in Ho Chi Minh City, and southern Vietnam is considered the more westernized part of Vietnam. Contrastingly, central and northern Vietnamese are known for being more conservative with their money and placing a greater emphasis on education.

Family Life

It’s common for adult children to remain at home until they get married. Even after children are married and have children, it’s typical for several generations of the family to live together under one roof. Families are typically quite close and parents expect a good deal of deference from their children.

Men and women typically have strong personal boundaries. Groups of friends are typically all male or all female. Their somewhat conservative culture makes dating a serious affair, and couples are unlikely to make public displays of affection.

Drinking and Party Culture

Drinking is popular, and you’ll see groups of men out drinking together, gathered around the low plastic tables outside of street food stalls. Nights out typically begin with coffee, continue to beer and shots (served alongside plenty of street food), and end with karaoke. You’ll hear shouts of “Mot, hai, ba, dzo!” which means “One, two, three, cheers!” Vietnamese have a saying about nights out: “Not drunk? Don’t go home.” It’s worth noting that the authorities have a more lax attitude about drinking and driving.

Being Polite

Manners are an important part of Vietnamese culture. It’s rare to hear raised voices or to see people in a serious argument. You’ll notice that merchants hand you your change or goods with two hands, or with one hand as the other hand touches the opposite elbow. This is considered more respectful than handing something over with one hand.

That being said, Vietnamese people are very frank. Friendly questions might include asking someone why they aren’t married yet, or to take note of someone’s weight. Vendors in Vietnam are likely to give you a hard sell. Shopkeepers will approach you as soon as you enter the store and urge you to examine all their wares. This is especially true in touristy places and in traditional “villages.” You can offer a firm “no thank you,” but expect to be met with persistence.

Superstitions

Vietnamese culture has many superstitions in common with Chinese culture, especially regarding numbers. According to the lunar calendar, some days are more auspicious than others, and it’s normal to consult a fortune teller before picking a date for an important date like a wedding.

Modesty and Dress

Women dress modestly, typically in long pants and loose-fitting shirts. This is the norm, especially in rural areas. If you visit a temple, keep in mind that short shorts and tank tops are discouraged. Policies differ depending on the temple, but some places simply ask that you rent a modest apron for a small fee.

Many professional women (hotel employees, secretaries, stewardesses) wear an ao dai as their uniform. This is a long, simple sheath worn over plain trousers. This became part of Vietnamese traditional dress in the 1930s, and has become a signature look for Vietnamese women.

Conical straw hats have gradually become a symbol of Vietnam. Called non las, these hats are the traditional headgear of Vietnamese peasants, and they are designed to keep their skin shielded from the strong sun. Besides non las, Vietnamese try to guard against the sun as much as possible, another reason for wearing long sleeves and pants even in the hot weather.

Art and MusicCrime and SafetyGovernment and EconomyHistory of VietnamHolidays and Festivals in VietnamReligion in VietnamSociety and DevelopmentStaying HealthyTrafficTransportVietnam Entry RequirementsVietnamese CultureVietnamese Food and DrinkWhen to Visit Vietnam
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 528 reviews
Trustpilot
Amazing holidays, the most helpful team of people!
Amazing travel company to work with. We have had two incredible family trips with to Costa Rica and Vietnam, travelling ...
Jan 06, 2020
– Caroline .
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
Great company
Great company! They’re more than helpful and they make your trip a time to remember. The customer service is in a class ...
Apr 26, 2019
– Johnny
Trustpilot Rating
Exceeded our expectations
Exceeded our expectations! The entire trip went smoothly, no worries! Every tour was exceptional! Every accommodation be...
Apr 11, 2019
– Judy
Trustpilot Rating
The trip was a once in a lifetime…
The trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Anywhere.com did an exceptional job of planning this trip. It couldn't h...
Mar 30, 2019
– Vickie B.
Trustpilot Rating
This service is outstanding
This service is outstanding. We had changes to be made, and they were done so with ease. All of the excursions and dri...
Mar 23, 2019
– Linda A
Trustpilot Rating
awesome company to deal with
awesome company to deal with. Everything they planned, including hotels and sightseeing tours, was wonderful. Every ve...
Mar 06, 2019
– Happy tra.
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend anywhere to anyone…
I would recommend anywhere to anyone traveling anywhere. I was treated exceptionally well with professionalism and kindn...
Feb 14, 2019
– Steven
Trustpilot Rating
This is our second vacation with…
This is our second vacation with Anywhere. As the first time, the use experience of the website was easy, our travel pla...
Feb 07, 2019
– Rosemary
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com is the best.
I would recommend Anywhere.com to anyone who is looking to travel to the destinations that they coordinate. I have been ...
Dec 17, 2018
– Robert
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere is fantastic
Anywhere is fantastic! Their team is easily accessible, their response time was quick, and they planned everything for m...
Aug 23, 2018
– Tiffany
Trustpilot Rating
Best vacation ever due to the excellent…
Best vacation ever due to the excellent planning and ability to just relax since EVERYTHING was handled.
Mar 01, 2018
– Christoph.
Trustpilot Rating
Vietnam Vacations
  • Islands
  • Caving
  • Beaches
  • Sapa
  • Ninh Binh
  • Halong Bay
  • Hanoi
  • Mekong Delta
  • Da Nang
  • Phong Nha Ke Bang
Vietnam Travel
  • Places to go
  • Things to do
  • Hotels
  • Maps
  • Getting around
  • Safety
ANYWHERE'S TOP SPOTS
  • Costa Rica
  • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
  • Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica Beaches
  • Machu Picchu, Peru
  • Cusco, Peru
  • Galapgos, Ecuador
  • Quito, Ecuador
  • Antigua, Guatemala
  • Ambergris Caye, Belize
  • Gladden Spit and Silk Caye, Belize
GET INSPIRED!
  • Our Safest Pick!
  • Family Vacations Made Easy
  • Best Tropical Beaches
  • Best Islands
  • Best Hot Springs
  • Cloudforests & Rainforests
  • Get into Nature
  • Mystical Destinations
  • Best Swimming Holes
  • Best Ruins
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy