CULTURE

DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

  • Tết – Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Varies each year – January to February)

  • Hung Kings Commemoration (10th day of the 3rd lunar month)

  • Buddha’s Birthday (15th April lunar month)

  • President Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday (19th of May)

  • National Liberation Day or Reunification Day (30th of April)

  • Labour Day (1st of May)

  • Mid-year Festival (5th May lunar month)

  • Vulan Buddhists pray for deceased (15th of July lunar month)

  • Remembrance Day (27th of July)

  • Trung Thu – Moon Festival (15th August lunar month)

  • National Day (2nd of September)

GREETINGS

  • People should always be greeted in order of age, with the oldest among the company being the first acknowledgment.

  • The Vietnamese are accustomed to shaking hands. Some Vietnamese might use two hands to shake by resting the left hand on top of the grasp with the other person's hand. Bowing the head while shaking hands indicates respect.

  • Elders should be greeted especially respectfully. One can hold both their hands while greeting. If they do not extend their hand, a respectful bow should be made instead. It is expected that the gaze of the younger person be lowered from the elder’s eyes during the greeting.

  • It is uncommon for Vietnamese women to shake hands with men or each other; therefore, wait for a woman to extend her hand first when greeting her.

  • It is more appropriate to verbally greet someone of the opposite sex and give a brief bow or nod.

  • People usually only hug to greet their relatives or very close friends.

  • Questions about someone’s family are appreciated during or after introductions.

COMMUNICATION

VERBAL

  • Indirect Communication: The Vietnamese are generally observed as being indirect verbal communicators, often understating themselves to reach their point. However, while there is less reliance on explicitly descriptive vocabulary, they give strong clues about their message through their surrounding posture, expression and tone of voice. In Vietnam, the context of conversations can also provide further meaning to their words, as there are well-established hierarchies between speakers in the Vietnamese language. For example, Vietnamese pronouns address the other person in a way that affectionately respects their relationship and status comparative to one’s self while delivering the message. However, this form of communication translates differently when spoken in English and can come across as quite a blunt approach to communication. Vietnamese people also usually express how they feel quite genuinely and honestly, which can similarly give the perception that they are speaking very frankly.

  • Language Style: In an effort to speak modestly, the Vietnamese have a tendency not to use very colourful expressions. For example, they may say they “like” something instead of “love” it, that they feel “bad” instead of “awful”, or that something is “good” instead of “amazing”. This kind of speech is considered more emotionally balanced. Furthermore, using very artful words can come across as being too exaggerated and insincere.

  • Refusals: A Vietnamese person’s preoccupation with saving face and politeness may see them avoid giving a flat ‘no’ or negative response, even when they disagree with you. Therefore, focus on hints of hesitation in terms of what is said, how it is said and with what body language. One can usually find the underlying meaning by asking open-ended questions.

  • Agreement: Consider that a ‘yes’ may be spoken to indicate “I hear you” or “I understand” rather than “I agree with what is said”.

  • Loud Voices: Speaking in a raised voice or shouting is generally seen as improper or uncivilized behavior, particularly when women do so. However, this is generally common behavior.

NON-VERBAL

  • Physical Contact: In Vietnam, it is not appropriate to touch strangers unless it is unavoidable. People also generally don’t hug one another or show any physical affection to the opposite gender in public. Avoid backslapping and putting your arm around someone's shoulder.

  • Pointing: Avoid pointing at people and things with your index finger; this is considered disrespectful. Use your open hand instead.

  • Beckoning: To beckon, use your open hand rather than your index finger. To use a single forefinger with the palm facing up has offensive and threatening connotations to adults and children.

  • Arms: It can be considered rude to stand with your hands on your hips or cross your arms when having a regular conversation with someone.

  • The Head: The head is considered the most sacred part of a person’s body. It is offensive to touch another person’s head or pass something over it. Forcing someone’s head to touch the ground would be an extremely disrespectful (and possibly unforgivable) act.

  • Feet: Feet are considered the lowliest or ‘dirtiest’ part of the body. Displaying the soles of one’s feet, resting them on tables, or exposing them to others is considered rude.

  • Expressions: The Vietnamese commonly show less emotion in their face as they communicate and often adopt a somber expression unless something clearly joyful is happening. Avoid interpreting this as unfriendly.

  • Eye Contact: It is respectful to defer eye contact away from those who are of the opposite gender, a higher status or older than you. However, direct eye contact is held and expected with one’s peers.

  • Smiling: Smiling can have many connotations in Vietnamese culture. It’s often done as a way to modestly acknowledge what another person is saying without seeming too over-enthusiastic. The Vietnamese may also smile or laugh quietly when talking about painful or awkward experiences. This is a way of non-verbally apologizing for the listener’s possible discomfort and diffusing it. Similarly, people may smile when embarrassed, apologetic, frustrated or nervous, so consider that a person smiling in a serious situation may not always be doing so out of happiness or pleasure.

  • Silence: Silence is an important and purposeful tool used in the communication style of most Asian countries. Pausing before giving a response indicates that someone has applied appropriate thought and consideration to the question. It reflects politeness and respect.

DO's & DON'Ts

  • Expect a Vietnamese person to politely protest or deflect compliments you give them in an effort to remain humble.

  • Make an effort to keep discussion harmonious and balanced.

  • Call Ho Chi Minh City “Saigon” in respect of southern Vietnamese and acknowledge that there are two flags – the communist flag (used on the global stage) and the flag of South Vietnam.

  • Try not to be offended if an older Vietnamese person makes frank comments or asks invasive questions about your personal life. Elders commonly enquire about people’s relationship statuses. This is generally accepted because of the age hierarchy.

  • It can be difficult to read Vietnamese emotions as some situations have predetermined reactions expected by cultural norms.

  • Allow a few moments of social conversation to pass before mentioning business.

  • To avoid the loss of face, a Vietnamese person may seek to resolve issues in the workplace indirectly. For example, they may use a third person to reject a proposal, ask for feedback or discuss problems.

  • When there is a point of tension or difficulty that can’t be resolved, Vietnamese businessmen sometimes resort to sitting in silence. This is their way of allowing the conversation to simmer back to harmony so that there is a clear space for a new topic of discussion. Westerners often find silence like this awkward. Try to resist the inclination to interrupt the silence or continue to push the problem.

  • Avoid profusely complimenting people or using very colorful language to praise something. This can often be interpreted as insincere and may actually cause people to lose face.

  • Don't assume that the Vietnamese have a natural alignment with China.

  • Avoid directly criticizing someone or pointing out his or her mistakes. This can quickly cause a Vietnamese to lose face.

  • Avoid publicly displaying signs of anger or passion, such as by raising your voice. This behavior is generally disapproved of.

  • Try not to interrupt or ‘fill in’ the silence if a Vietnamese person quietens during a conversation. Pausing before speaking usually has a purposeful meaning behind it.

  • Do not break any promises that you have already committed to, verbally or written. This can lead to a big loss of face and jeopardize a Vietnamese person’s trust and confidence in you.

  • Avoid asking personal questions that can seem invasive, such as “Are you married?”, “Why don’t you have children?” or “How much do you earn?”. Some Vietnamese can embarrass quickly if they don’t know how to deflect a question they’d rather not answer.

  • Do not assume that a Vietnamese person wants to talk about the American War. Broach the subject sensitively if genuinely interested. Moreover, avoid taking a position on the West’s involvement in the conflict and let them share their opinion.

  • Avoid referring to the North and South of the country as “two” Vietnams or asking your Vietnamese counterpart to explain how the divide arose. The subject is very touchy. It is best not to raise the politics surrounding the situation.