Cultural Differences to Know Before Expatriating to Vietnam

Published on May 4, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Expatriating to Vietnam is an adventure that increasingly appeals to people seeking both cultural and professional change. However, before embarking on this enriching experience, it is crucial to learn about the cultural subtleties that shape this fascinating country.

Indeed, Vietnam has a rich historical tradition and a set of social codes that can surprise newcomers. From respect for elders to the way business is conducted, including the small nuances of communication, every aspect of daily life reveals fundamental differences that it is essential to understand in order to integrate harmoniously and succeed in your expatriation.

Understanding the Nuances of Vietnamese Social Norms

Vietnamese social norms are deeply rooted in respect and politeness. Formal greetings play a crucial role in building relationships, notably through head bows and handshakes. When meeting someone, it is common to say Xin chào (hello) while smiling and slightly bowing your head. In more formal situations, a slight bow of the body can be added to show respect.

Shared meals are also an essential component of social interactions. They foster conviviality and strengthen bonds between people. During a meal, it is important to show respect to elders by offering them the best portions or giving them the seat of honor at the table.

The Vietnamese concept of “face” is crucial in personal and professional relationships. It involves maintaining the dignity and honor of oneself and others. This means avoiding open conflicts and preserving the other person’s positive image.

Gifts play an important role in maintaining relationships. They are often given during visits or holidays to show appreciation and respect.

Examples of Social Norms in Vietnam

• Formal Greetings: Using expressions like Xin chào with a head bow to show respect.
• Shared Meals: Offering the best portions to elders or giving them the seat of honor at the table.
• Respect for Elders: Prioritizing greetings towards elderly people and treating them with respect.
• Concept of “Face”: Avoiding open conflicts to preserve the dignity and honor of others.
• Gifts: Giving gifts during visits or holidays to strengthen relationships.

Comparative Table of Greetings

Greeting	Context	Translation
Xin chào	Formal/Informal	Hello
Chào buổi sáng	Morning	Good morning
Chào anh/chị	Respectful	Hello older brother/sister
Xin chào ông/bà	Very Respectful	Hello sir/madam

Anecdote

For example, during a family meal, a young Vietnamese adult will make sure to serve dishes to the elders before serving themselves, thus showing respect for tradition and family hierarchy. Similarly, during a professional meeting, a slight nod and a firm but respectful handshake are essential for establishing a good relationship.

Discovering Vietnam’s Unique Traditions and Customs

Vietnam’s unique traditions and customs that might surprise an expatriate

Tết (Vietnamese New Year)

• It is the most important holiday in the country, marking the transition to the new lunar year.
• Families clean their homes, decorate with peach or apricot blossoms, prepare traditional dishes like bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), pay homage to ancestors with offerings, and visit temples and pagodas.
• The streets are lively with flower markets, firecrackers (in regions where allowed), lion dances, and traditional games.
• Children receive red envelopes (lì xì) containing lucky money.
• For several days, most businesses close and families gather, sometimes spanning multiple generations.

Other Cultural Celebrations

• Dragon Boat Festival: colorful boat races, especially in the south.
• Lantern Festival in Hoi An: the city lights up with thousands of silk lanterns on the river.
• Weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies, and village festivals are all occasions for rituals and conviviality.

Festival	Period	Main Features
Tết (New Year)	January/February	Offerings, reunions, decorations
Lantern Festival	Full moon, various	Floating lanterns, wishes
Dragon Boat	May/June	Nautical races

Greetings and Social Relationships

• Greetings are generally discreet: a smile, a slight nod, or a handshake (more formal).
• Avoid touching the head, considered sacred, especially with children.
• It is common to use family titles (older brother, aunt, etc.) even outside the family circle, as a sign of respect.
• Vietnamese people avoid direct confrontation and value “not losing face” (maintaining dignity in public).

Meals and Hospitality

• Chopsticks are used for all meals, even for the most unexpected dishes, which can surprise an expatriate.
• It is frowned upon to stick chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice, as it evokes funeral offerings.
• During a meal, it is polite to wait for the oldest person to start before serving yourself.
• Meals are times for sharing: you pick from the common dishes placed in the center of the table.
• Refusing an invitation to share a meal or a drink can be perceived as a lack of respect.
• Expressions of gratitude are often less demonstrative than in the West, but hospitality is omnipresent.

Dress Habits and Unexpected Behaviors

• It is common to see women going out in pajamas, especially in rural areas, to run errands or take a walk, which can disconcert foreigners.
• Wearing the nón lá (conical hat) and áo dài (traditional tunic) during festivals, ceremonies, or at school is a symbol of cultural pride.
• Modesty is valued: long clothing, restrained gestures in public.

Examples of Disconcerting Cultural Interactions

• During a meeting, it is rare to receive direct compliments; Vietnamese people prefer modest expressions.
• An expatriate may be surprised to receive questions considered personal (age, marital status), which here are signs of interest, not indiscretion.
• Giving or receiving an object is preferably done with both hands, especially if it is something important.

Cultural Taboos to Know

• Never point your finger at someone or call someone by curling your finger (obscene gesture).
• Do not touch people’s heads.
• Avoid openly discussing political topics or criticizing ancestors or religion.
• Do not offer watches or handkerchiefs as gifts, as they are associated with separation or mourning.
• Showing the soles of your feet or placing your feet on a chair/table is considered rude.

Influence of Religion and Spiritual Beliefs

• Buddhism, Taoism, and especially ancestor worship shape daily life: home altars, regular offerings, family rituals.
• Spirituality influences important decisions (marriages, buying a house, travel) through consultations with astrologers or monks.
• Pagodas and temples are places for socializing and reflection.
• Vietnamese people often believe in protective spirits of places, auspicious and inauspicious days, and the importance of luck.

Traditional Objects and Arts

• Water puppets, lacquerware, ceramics, silk lanterns, silver jewelry are part of daily life and celebrations.
• The arts are omnipresent during festivals: imperial music, lion dances, calligraphy.

Key takeaway: Vietnam is a country where attachment to traditions, respect for elders, discretion in exchanges, and the role of spirituality structure social life. For an expatriate, understanding and respecting these codes is essential to avoid misunderstandings and integrate harmoniously.

Avoiding Common Cultural Mistakes in Vietnam

Common Cultural Mistakes to Avoid in Vietnam

Greetings and Respect

• Always greet with a smile and a slight bow of the head, especially towards elders or superiors.
• Smiling is a sign of friendliness and respect, even in delicate situations.
• Avoid shaking hands firmly or hugging, unless the other person initiates the gesture.
• It is frowned upon to interrupt an older person or use a directive tone.

Removing Shoes

• It is imperative to remove your shoes before entering a Vietnamese home, a temple, or sometimes certain offices.
• Keeping shoes on indoors is considered disrespectful.

Hierarchy and Professional Interactions

• Vietnamese society values hierarchy, strongly influenced by Confucianism.
• It is appropriate to address the oldest or highest-ranking person first during meetings.
• Humility and discretion are appreciated; it is better to avoid putting yourself forward.
• Avoid contradicting or criticizing someone in public to avoid causing them to lose face.

Gift Giving

• Giving a gift is common when invited to dinner, for family gatherings, or celebrations.
• Avoid white or black wrapping paper, as they are associated with mourning and funerals.
• Prefer red or gold paper, symbols of luck and prosperity.
• Always give and receive a gift with both hands.

Practice to Avoid	Why?	Respectful Alternative
White/black gift wrap	Symbolizes mourning or death	Red or gold paper
Keeping shoes on	Perceived as unhygienic and disrespectful	Remove shoes systematically
Greeting without a smile	Interpreted as coldness or rudeness	Smile and bow your head
Interrupting an elder	Lack of respect for hierarchy	Wait your turn to speak
Criticizing in public	Causes loss of face, offends honor	Prefer discretion

Cultural Taboos

• Expressing strong emotions (anger, agitation, arguing) in public is very frowned upon.
• Vietnamese people value self-control and social harmony.
• Sensitive topics to absolutely avoid in conversations: politics, religion, recent history, controversial subjects related to war or the government.
• Sarcastic or mocking humor can be misinterpreted.

Other Surprising Customs

• Wearing pajamas in the street is common for women, especially in rural areas.
• All meals are eaten with chopsticks, including snacks or desserts.
• Ancestor worship holds an essential place, with family altars in every home.

Key takeaway:

To integrate and avoid faux pas, it is essential to show humility, discretion, and respect for hierarchy, while adapting to local codes of politeness and traditions.

Never underestimate the importance of small gestures: a smile, a bow of the head, or the choice of gift wrap are powerful signs of respect and cultural integration.