Vietnam Religious Practices Guide for Expats

Published on May 4, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Traveling to Vietnam, with its mosaic of beliefs and traditions, offers expatriates a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich and diverse spiritual world. Through this guide, we invite you to explore the local religious practices that shape daily life in this fascinating country.

Whether you encounter Buddhism, Taoist customs, or ancestral rituals, understanding these essential cultural practices will help you better integrate into the local community and enrich your personal experience.

Immerse yourself in ancient temples, attend colorful festivals, and discover how history and spirituality intertwine to form the unique identity of modern Vietnam.

Major Religious Practices in Vietnam

Main Religions Practiced in Vietnam

Important Religious Festivals and Their Celebration

• Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year): the most important festival, a blend of Buddhist, Confucian, and ancestor worship rites. House cleaning, offerings, visits to pagodas, family reunions, floral decorations, and fireworks.
• Mid-Autumn Festival: celebrated by children with lanterns, lion dances, moon offerings, and mooncakes on family altars.
• Vesak (Buddha’s birthday): processions, meditations, pagoda decorations, and flower offerings.
• Christmas and Easter: midnight masses, street and church decorations, nativity scenes, concerts.
• Death anniversaries (giỗ): family gatherings, meals, and offerings on the ancestor altar.

Non-Institutional Traditional Beliefs and Practices

• Animism and folk beliefs: respect for nature spirits, local genies (thành hoàng), superstitions related to auspicious/inauspicious days, protective and luck rituals.
• Consulting fortune tellers, astrologers, and using feng shui to harmonize domestic and professional life.
• Central role of ancestor worship in daily life, seen as a moral duty and a source of blessings.

Religious Diversity and Tolerance

Vietnam is characterized by great religious diversity, where major religions coexist peacefully.

Most Vietnamese practice a syncretism of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and local cults, which fosters tolerance and mutual respect.

Religious communities collaborate during major festivals and share many rites, promoting social cohesion.

Religious minorities (Protestants, Muslims, Caodaists, Hoa Hao…) are recognized, and their festivals are respected locally.

Key Takeaways for Expatriates

Respecting domestic altars, family rites, and traditional festivals is essential for integrating and showing consideration for Vietnamese culture.

Participating in or attending festivals (especially Tet) is an excellent way to discover Vietnamese hospitality and spirituality.

Religious diversity is a pillar of national identity, and tolerance toward all beliefs is valued in daily life.

Vietnamese spirituality is lived primarily within the family, through daily rites and community conviviality, far more than through exclusive membership in an organized religion.

Good to know:

In Vietnam, Buddhism is omnipresent in daily life, influencing architecture and family values, while ancestor worship incorporates practices like offerings during Tet and Vu Lan festivals, reflecting deep respect for past generations. Catholic, Taoist, and Confucian celebrations coexist harmoniously with local beliefs, illustrating religious diversity and tolerance, marked by festive events such as Christmas and the Lunar New Year.

The Impact of Religious Festivals on Expatriates’ Daily Lives

Influence on Expatriates’ Daily Lives

• Official public holidays: Some festivals (Tet, National Day, Christmas in certain areas) lead to the closure of government offices, banks, schools, and many businesses. Expatriates must anticipate service interruptions, sometimes lasting several days.
• Modified work hours: Most companies close or reduce activity during Tet. Some expatriates report that even international services or embassies may operate at a reduced pace.
• Transportation and public services: Before and after Tet, train stations, airports, and bus stations are crowded, as millions of Vietnamese travel to reunite with their families. It is common to book well in advance.
• Local events: Parades, shows, fireworks, special markets, and street decorations create a festive atmosphere, but also unusual traffic jams.

Tết Nguyên Đán: Importance and Impact

• Tet is the most anticipated festival, comparable to a combination of Christmas and Western New Year.
• During this period, daily life comes to a halt: most shops close, including supermarkets and restaurants, sometimes for a week.
• Expatriates may feel temporary isolation, especially if they have no family or local ties, but they are often invited to share meals or ceremonies with Vietnamese colleagues or neighbors.
• Social interactions strengthen: exchanging gifts, wishes of happiness, visiting friends and families.

Examples of Adaptations or Opportunities for Expatriates

• Necessary adaptations:
  • Plan shopping and travel before closures.
  • Anticipate delays for any administrative procedures or deliveries.
  • Accept the reduction in professional activity and use this time to travel or rest.
• Unique opportunities:
  • Participate in traditional meals (bánh chưng, bánh tét).
  • Take part in purification ceremonies or prayers at temples.
  • Discover local customs (offerings, traditional games).
  • Build closer ties with the local community through exchanging wishes and gifts.

Respectful Participation and Positive Impact

• Observe and respect rituals (remove shoes in temples, wear appropriate clothing, do not touch offerings without invitation).
• Ask Vietnamese colleagues for advice on expected behaviors.
• Express wishes of happiness (“Chúc Mừng Năm Mới”) during Tet.
• This involvement fosters integration, the development of social networks, and a better understanding of Vietnamese values, such as family, solidarity, and gratitude.

Expatriate Testimonials and Anecdotes

A French expatriate in Hanoi explains he was surprised by the near-total closure of the city during Tet but was warmly invited by his neighbor to share the family meal:

“It was an opportunity to discover traditional dishes and exchange about our cultures. Since then, every year, we exchange gifts during this period.”

A Canadian expatriate in Ho Chi Minh City recounts:

“The first year, I felt a bit lonely during Tet, but I took advantage of the calm to explore the city, which was nearly empty. In the following years, I planned ahead by organizing gatherings with other expatriates and Vietnamese colleagues.”

A British teacher testifies:

“Vu Lan helped me understand the importance of filial piety in Vietnam. I was invited to participate in a ceremony at the temple, which helped me gain the trust and friendship of my colleagues.”

Participating in religious festivals is both a logistical challenge and a tremendous opportunity for integration and cultural discovery for expatriates in Vietnam.

Good to know:

During Tết Nguyên Đán, many businesses close for several days, giving expatriates the chance to discover unique traditions such as giving li xi (red envelopes). Participating in festivities like the Mid-Autumn Festival, by sharing mooncakes, can foster better social and cultural integration.

Behaviors and Adaptations Needed During Celebrations

To integrate harmoniously into Vietnamese celebrations, it is crucial to understand and respect local religious practices, especially Buddhist and Taoist rituals and ancestor worship. Here are some key elements to consider:

Local Religious Practices

Festivals and Celebrations

Here are some important festivals and expected behaviors:

Tips for Interacting with Locals

Greetings and Mistakes to Avoid

By respecting these customs and integrating respectfully, you can fully enjoy Vietnamese celebrations while strengthening bonds with locals.

Good to know:

During celebrations like Tết Nguyên Đán or Vu Lan, dress modestly and avoid pointing your feet toward altars; greet with a slight nod and avoid sensitive topics during conversations.

Religious Freedom and Resources for Expatriates

Legal Framework for Freedom of Worship in Vietnam

The right to freedom of belief and religion has been enshrined in successive Vietnamese Constitutions since 1946, with explicit recognition in those of 1992 and, more recently, 2013. Article 24 of the 2013 Constitution states that “everyone has the right to freedom of belief and religion, to follow or not follow a religion. Religions are equal before the law.” The State commits to respecting, protecting, and guaranteeing this right, including for non-citizens.

The Law on Beliefs and Religions (2016) details this constitutional framework: it defines the rights of individuals (private or collective practice), religious organizations (registration, activities), as well as the obligations of authorities (protection of places of worship, religious property). However, the public exercise of worship must comply with Vietnamese laws; any activity deemed contrary to public order or using religion for illegal purposes is prohibited.

Dominant Religions and Local Attitude

Vietnam is a multi-religious country where Buddhism (majority), Christianity (mainly Catholicism), Caodaism, Hoa Haoism, Islam (minority), as well as various traditional animist practices coexist. In 2021, the country officially recognized 43 religious organizations grouping approximately 27 million followers – nearly a third of the population.

Religions are considered an integral part of the “national unity bloc”: they coexist peacefully under the principle of equality before the law. Authorities generally encourage a tolerant climate as long as practices remain in accordance with national laws.

Most Vietnamese adopt a pragmatic attitude toward religious diversity: there is mutual respect between local communities as well as toward expatriates practicing their faith differently. However, certain ethnic minorities or unrecognized groups may encounter more administrative obstacles to freely practicing their worship.

Expatriate Religious Communities

Several expatriate communities openly practice their faith in Vietnam:

These communities organize mass/celebrations/native language classes for children/adults according to specific needs – sometimes with logistical support from embassies/consulates or local partners if additional temporary infrastructure is needed for specific events like Christmas/Easter/Ramadan, etc.).

Concrete Examples

Good to know:

The Vietnamese Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, but in practice, some restrictions may apply; dominant religions include Buddhism and Catholicism, and expatriates can join religious support groups and attend open places of worship like Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral or Buddhist temples. To overcome potential challenges, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with local laws and participate in religious communities such as groups on social networks or cultural centers to find suitable resources and advice.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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