Vietnam
Vietnam etiquette and culture: dos, don'ts and local customs
Do: greet with a slight bow or nod, hand over money and cards with both hands, remove shoes when entering a home or temple, and stay calm and smile in any dispute. Don't: touch heads, point feet at people or altars, or lose your temper in public. Dress modestly at pagodas; tipping is not expected but rounding up is normal.
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GuideVietnam
Key facts
- Greeting
- Nod or slight bow; handshake with men, wait for a woman to offer first
- Money and gifts
- Pass with both hands; receiving with one hand is casual, two is polite
- Temples and pagodas
- Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes at the threshold, don't point at statues
- Tipping
- Not expected; round up bills, tip spa and tour staff (parent country facts)
- Photography
- Ask before photographing people, especially in minority villages; some sites ban cameras
- Saving face
- Avoid public anger or direct criticism; a smile and quiet voice resolve most problems
- Bargaining
- Expected at markets, not in shops with fixed prices; keep it light
- Cash
- Đồng (VND); notes ₫1,000–₫500,000, no coins in use (parent country facts)
Summary by passport, month and cost
Etiquette itself costs nothing, but the practical side — a modest outfit for temples, a small cash float for tips, a phrasebook app — is where money goes. The table below covers the three things readers ask about most: what your passport changes, when to go, and what the trip costs.
| Factor | What it means for etiquette and culture | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia passports | Same social rules apply; English is common in tourist areas | Visa rules differ by passport — check the visa page |
| ASEAN passports | Visa-free entry for most member states | Check current rules before booking |
| Best months for temple visits | Oct–Apr in the north, Feb–Aug in the centre, Dec–Apr in the south | Avoid Tết for closed sites and busy transport |
| Tết (Lunar New Year) | Many shops and stalls close; don't schedule temple-heavy trips | Dates shift each year — check |
| Daily budget, budget travel | ₫800,000–₫1,500,000 (about $30–60) per day | 2026 estimate |
| Daily budget, mid-range | ₫2,000,000–₫4,000,000 (about $80–160) per day | 2026 estimate |
| Temple entry | Often free or a small donation; some sites charge ₫30,000–₫100,000 | 2026 estimate, check at the gate |
| Tip for a spa treatment or guide | ₫50,000–₫200,000 is generous | 2026 estimate |
Prices are 2026 estimates; confirm locally.
Step by step: what to do in practice
Start with the greeting. A nod or slight bow works everywhere; a handshake is fine with men, and with women it is polite to wait until they offer. Use both hands when giving or receiving money, business cards, gifts or a drink — one hand is casual, two signals respect. Address people as anh (older man), chị (older woman), em (younger person) if you know the words; otherwise Mr or Ms plus the first name is fine.
- Greet with a nod or slight bow; wait for a woman to offer a handshake.
- Pass money, cards and gifts with both hands.
- Remove shoes before entering a home, and at the threshold of many temples.
- Dress modestly at pagodas: shoulders and knees covered, hat off inside.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in ethnic-minority villages.
- Keep your voice level and smile in disputes; public anger loses face for both sides.
- Bargain at markets, not in fixed-price shops; keep it friendly.
- Round up the bill or leave small notes for spa and tour staff.
Notes and things that trip people up
The head is the highest part of the body and the feet the lowest, so don't touch an adult's head and don't point your feet at people, altars or statues. When sitting on the floor at a temple or home, tuck your feet to the side. Don't step over someone sitting or lying down; walk around.
- Don't touch heads or pass objects over someone's head.
- Don't point feet at people, altars or Buddha statues.
- Don't step over a person sitting on the floor.
- Don't lose your temper in public; it is read as a loss of face.
- Don't photograph military sites, police or border areas.
- Don't wear shoes inside a temple or a private home.
- Don't assume a smile means agreement — it can also mean 'I'd rather not say'.
| Situation | Local norm | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting someone older | Age is respected | Use anh/chị or Mr/Ms; let them speak first |
| Being offered tea or food | Refusing outright can seem cold | Accept, or take a small amount |
| Money at a market | Bargaining is normal | Offer about 60–70% and meet in the middle |
| Temple visit | Modest dress, quiet voice | Cover up, remove shoes, don't point |
| Disagreement with a driver or vendor | Face-saving matters | Stay calm, smile, negotiate quietly |
| Photographing people | Consent is expected | Ask first; offer to send the photo |
FAQ
Questions people ask
What should I know about etiquette and culture in Vietnam?
Greet with a nod or slight bow, pass things with both hands, remove shoes at temples and homes, dress modestly at pagodas, and stay calm in any dispute. Don't touch heads, point feet at people or altars, or lose your temper in public. Tipping is not expected but rounding up is normal.
How much does it cost?
Etiquette costs nothing. Practical extras: temple entry is often free or ₫30,000–₫100,000, a spa or guide tip is ₫50,000–₫200,000, and a budget day runs ₫800,000–₫1,500,000 (about $30–60). All 2026 estimates.
When should I plan for it?
Any month works, but avoid Tết (Lunar New Year) for temple-heavy trips — many sites and stalls close and transport is packed. Best weather: Oct–Apr north, Feb–Aug centre, Dec–Apr south.
Is tipping expected in Vietnam?
No. Rounding up a bill or leaving small notes for spa and tour staff is appreciated but not required. Restaurants and taxis do not expect a set percentage.
Can I bargain in Vietnam?
Yes at markets and with some drivers, not in shops with fixed prices. Offer around 60–70% and meet in the middle. Keep it light and friendly; losing your temper ends the deal badly.
What should I wear at temples?
Cover shoulders and knees, remove your hat and shoes at the threshold, and keep your voice down. A light scarf or long-sleeved shirt in your day bag solves most cases.
Is it rude to refuse food or tea?
A flat refusal can seem cold. Accept, or take a small amount and thank them. If you have allergies or dietary needs, explain simply and offer an alternative.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVietnam National Authority of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage – Vietnam