Vietnam

Customs and Traditions

 

National Motto:

‘Independence, freedom and happiness’

 

Public and religious holidays:

January 1st, April 30 - Saigon Liberation Day

May 1 - Labor Day

September 2 - National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Vietnamese festival on the Lunar New Year - Tet Nguyen Dan (4 days off)

Tet feast is celebrated in January or February. Time off from work begins on the last day of old year and lasts for the next three days of the Lunar New Year.

 

Family:

Traditional Vietnamese family is multigenerational, the hierarchy according to gender and age is in force. According to its rules children have to be subordinated to their parents, they cannot undermine their sentences. Another rule is that wives have to be devoted to their husbands. Inconceivable thing to do would be putting grandparents into nursing homes, as it would be a disgrace to the whole family, and their members would be considered as the ones who do not have any respect for their ancestor.

 

Wedding Traditions:

This great event is very carefully planned. All of the omens and signs are analyzed to select auspicious date for both newlyweds, providing them a happy future. When the solemn day finally comes, early in the morning bride expects her fiance’s mother, who arrives with a gift in the company of several relatives. To this day, it is mostly betel - refreshing, but also enhancing the excitement drink is made from leaves of pepper, spices, catechu palm seeds and lime milk. It stains the teeth black, and saliva red. According to tradition, the mother of the groom must formally ask the girl's parents for permission for marriage of her son and their daughter.

In Vietnam, areca nuts as well as betel leaves are symbols of love.

 

New Year in Vietnam:

In Vietnam, the New Year is known as Tet, which means to connect bamboo stems, that symbolizes next stage of life. Date of this festival is moving because it is determined according to the lunar calendar. The main celebration of Tet starts on the first new moon, which falls between the tenth of January and mid-February. Immediately after dark the streets become empty, because everyone is preparing for "an Tet," which is eating the last dinner of the year. It is a special time of unification not only between families, but it is also an opportunity to meet with the dead, this is why before dinner sacrifices are offered on altars of the ancestors. The gifts may vary depending on the region of residence, family wealth or preferences of the ancestors, but usually people light incenses, put glasses of liquor, cups of tea, fresh flowers and bowls of water.

 

Behavior of Vietnamese people:

1.Eye contact:

Vietnamese do not usually look into the eyes of his or her interlocutor. It is not because of shyness, but because of an old tradition – you do not look straight into the eyes of senior people or those who you want to show respect.

 

2. Smiling:

Smiles of Vietnamese people often cause misunderstanding among foreigners, or lead to awkward situations. The point is that in many Far Eastern nations smiling is a sign of fear, regret or shame. The Vietnamese people‘s smile can often be an expression of politeness, but it could also mean skepticism, misunderstanding or lack of acceptance.

 

3. Emotions:

Loud arguments and heated discussions are not accepted among the Vietnamese people. Well-behaved Vietnamese people can control emotions. This is why the noisy behavior of foreigners meets always with a great disapproval.

 

4. ‘Beating around the bush’

In a conversation Vietnamese people rarely go straight to the purpose of the dialogue; such conduct would show no tact and delicacy. Simplicity is appreciated in the Western world, but not in Vietnam. The Vietnamese do not like to say "no" and often answer "yes", even though the answer should be negative.

 

Greetings:

Most of the inhabitants of large cities do not have a traditional greeting. However, at official ceremonies, religious ceremonies, as well as in the provinces, there is still a habit of putting your hands - like a prayer gesture - and saying hello with a slight bow. The custom of shaking hands has long been considered barbaric, only the influence of Western culture led to its acceptance. Men can shake hands and make a common formula of greeting: "How are you?", while women usually avoid such gestures. Therefore, do not pull out hand first to Vietnamese woman, but patiently wait for her reaction.

 

Introducing yourself:

While introducing themsleves Western cultures say his/her name and title or position held, for the Vietnamese people it is awkward and inappropriate behavior - they believe that this kind of information should not be mentioned in public.

Vietnamese rarely show up first, unless specifically requested. They usually behave very modestly. The Vietnamese should be addressed as "Mr / Mrs", until they do ask you to address them by name. However those holding government posts or holding advanced degrees or military, should be addressed using their titles: Doctor, General, Minister, etc.

 

Etiquette and other customs:

The most important national sport of the Vietnamese people is beating records for the greatest absurdity on two wheels (6 people on one scooter, dead ox in the back seat of the scooter, fridge with freezer in the back seat of the scooter, 50 hens in a cage in the back seat of the scooter, six people plus ox plus fridge freezer plus 50 hens on a scooter, etc.).

There is almost no etiquette and the amount of cultural "do's and don't do‘s" is really small. Since Vietnam began to develop economically and concentrated on the development of tourism, much has changed. Tourists are no longer such attractions as ever, although in the province foreigners can still meet with keen interest. While in Vietnam, you have to prepare for the hospitality, which can quickly turn into obsession. Vietnam is also a country where the prices of many goods and services is negotiable. It is worth remembering and get to know local prices and always be ready to bargain.

 

Things you should never do:

• Waving hand at someone or pointing finger, which is an extreme discourtesy

• If you need to gesture to draw someone's attention, you need to outstretch your hand with the palm facing down - palm facing up means showing superiority over other person.

• Touching someone's head is clearly perceived as a threat to a person, and even his family. The head is the abode of the spirit of man

• Touching Vietnamese‘s shoulder also shouldn’t be done, as according to the belief it is the seat of the spirit-guardian, who should not be disturbed