Vietnam: greetings, food, celebrations and working together

Vietnam at a glance

Vietnam is a country of about 100 million people stretching along the eastern coast of mainland Southeast Asia, from the Red River delta in the north to the Mekong delta in the south. Vietnamese is the national language, spoken by the Kinh majority, and 53 other officially recognised ethnic groups, among them the Tày, Hmong, Khmer and Cham, have their own languages and traditions. The north, the centre and the south differ in accent, climate and cooking, and Vietnamese families also live around the world, so customs vary between households and generations.

Greetings and first meetings

“Xin chào” is the general greeting. In practice people choose a word for “you” and “I” based on relative age and relationship, such as “anh” for an older man, “chị” for an older woman, “em” for someone younger, and “cô” or “chú” for a respected adult. Using these shows respect, but if unsure, “xin chào” followed by the person’s given name is welcome.

Vietnamese names put the family name first, and people are normally addressed by their given name with a title, so Nguyễn Văn An becomes “anh An” or “Mr An”. A handshake is common in business, often with a slight bow and sometimes with both hands, and women may prefer a nod. Wait for an older person to offer their hand, and greet the most senior person first.

Etiquette and everyday customs

Shoes are removed before entering a home, and often a temple, so wear socks you are happy to show. Pass and receive items, business cards and gifts with both hands, or with the right hand supported at the elbow. Avoid touching someone’s head, pointing with one finger and crossing arms in a way that may look defiant.

Dress modestly at pagodas, with covered shoulders and knees. Keep your voice calm, since showing anger in public causes loss of face for everyone. Elders are served first and greeted first, and it is polite to wait until they begin eating. Bring fruit, sweets or tea for a home visit. Tipping is appreciated rather than required.

Food and table manners

Phở, a rice-noodle soup with beef or chicken and fresh herbs, began in the north, while bún chả, grilled pork with noodles and herbs, is a Hanoi lunch. The centre is known for bún bò Huế and mì Quảng, usually spicier, and the south for cơm tấm, broken rice, and sweeter flavours. Gỏi cuốn, fresh rolls, bánh mì, the baguette sandwich, and bánh xèo, crisp pancakes, are widely loved.

Meals are shared: rice, soup, fish or meat and vegetables are placed in the centre, and each person takes small portions. Do not leave chopsticks upright in rice, which resembles incense at an altar, and do not pass food from chopstick to chopstick. Fish sauce, lime, chilli and herbs are added at the table. Vietnamese coffee, often with condensed milk, is a social ritual, and many families are vegetarian on certain lunar days, so ask first.

Major celebrations

Tết Nguyên Đán, the Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday. Families clean their homes, honour ancestors at the altar, share bánh chưng or bánh tét, and give red envelopes with good wishes. Tết Trung Thu, the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, brings lanterns, lion dances and mooncakes, and is especially a festival for families.

• Tết: the Vietnamese Lunar New Year
• Tết Trung Thu: Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival

National Day on 2 September, Reunification Day on 30 April and the Hùng Kings Commemoration are also public holidays. Dates for lunar festivals move each year.

Weddings

Vietnamese weddings may include a betrothal, a tea ceremony at the family altar and a large banquet. Our guest’s guide to a Vietnamese wedding explains what to wear, what to give and what to expect.

• How to attend a Vietnamese wedding: a guest’s guide

Working or studying with people from Vietnam

Vietnamese workplaces value harmony, respect for seniority and good relationships. A direct “no” can embarrass someone, so listen for softer signals such as “it will be difficult” or a pause, and give feedback privately. Titles and age shape who speaks first in meetings, and decisions may be made by senior leaders after discussion in the group.

Vietnam uses UTC+7 all year, with no daylight saving. The usual working week is Monday to Friday, and some employers work on Saturday mornings. Many offices pause for a lunch break, and a short rest is normal. Tết is the biggest closure, with several days off and many people travelling to their home provinces, so plan deliveries and deadlines well before it. Team lunches, birthday gifts and small tokens are valued ways to build trust.

Frequently asked questions

How do I address someone if I do not know the right word?

Say “xin chào” and use the person’s given name with “Mr” or “Ms”. People will gladly teach you the correct term.

Why not stick chopsticks upright in rice?

Upright sticks resemble incense offered at an altar for the dead, so it is seen as bad luck at the table.

What should I bring to someone’s home at Tết?

Fruit, sweets, tea or a decorated box of biscuits are common, and families give red envelopes with a little money to younger relatives.