How To Behave Well In Vietnam – Do’s and Don’ts

 When in a foreign country, it is often said that it’s best to behave as the locals do if you want to integrate and not ruffle any feathers. Vietnam is a fairly popular tourist destination in Asia, and, as a result, sees quite a lot of tourists annually. Therefore the locals are used to foreigners to a certain extent and will make exceptions and allowances for them, it’s still best to make sure that you know what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable so that you can enjoy a pleasant stay.

Image via Anantara Quy Nhon Villas

Step One – Watch What you Wear in Places of Worship

This is a common one across Asia and in many other parts of the world as well. Whenever you step out of your luxury resorts in Vietnam the likes of Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, make sure you dress appropriately, especially if you plan on visiting any religious sites. On the day that you’ve set aside to explore temples or pagodas, make sure that you wear appropriately conservative clothing so that you show respect for the local customs. This means avoiding items of clothing such as shorts and short dresses and skirts, as they expose too much skin by local standards and are not considered appropriate attire to be worn inside religious places. The same goes for blouses that show too much skin. One tip for the ladies is to carry a shawl or scarf with them inside their bags. This way, if they are wearing a tank, spaghetti-strap, or crop tops, they can always cover their torso and upper arms temporarily with the scarf or shawl while they explore the temples. And once they exit the place of worship, they can be free to remove it and place it back in their bag.

Step Two – Don’t Bring out the Cigarettes Just Anywhere

Like other parts of the world, Vietnam has also placed restrictions on where people can smoke in order to respect the rights and health of the general public. So, just like you would probably do back home, make sure to keep an eye out for no-smoking signs before you whip out your cigarette and lighter. If you’re not sure what the rule is at a particular spot you’re at, it’s always advisable to ask the owner of the establishment or one of the staff that works there first, if it’s a smoking zone or not. And in general, to be cautious, it’s better to just assume that in most public spaces that smoking is banned unless there’s a specially designated area for it.

Step Three – Respect your Elders at the Table

As with many other Asian cultures, the Vietnamese place a lot of importance on social hierarchy, especially in terms of age. Elders are to be respected at all times and deferred to. And this applies during mealtimes as well. If you have the privilege of being invited over to dine with a local family during your explorations of the country, make sure to watch the actions of the older people on the table and take your cue from them. Generally, the local custom is to wait for the oldest of the dining party to commence eating. Once they have started, then it’s fine for everyone else to start digging into their meals as well. 

Step Four – Whip out Your Camera with Caution

While you’re on holiday in a foreign country, it can be almost a reflex to whip out your camera or camera phone and start clicking away photos or recording anything you find interesting. However, do keep in mind that it’s not always fun for the people who end up being involuntarily captured in your photos or who become the unwilling stars of your shots. When you’re taking pictures in public, whether it’s in the city or a rural area, try to keep others out of your shots and videos. Or if you do want them in there, see if you can get their consent first. It’s the polite thing to do.