11 Things NOT to do in Vietnam 

These things NOT to do in Vietnam cover all the do’s and don’t for your first visit to this diverse, fascinating but at times, challenging country.

Vietnam is a country of breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage which attracts travelers from all corners of the globe and continues to intrigue and thrill them even after numerous visits.

After decades of war and political oppression, the nation has overcome many hurdles to become a destination that will enchant even the most jaded of all holidaymakers.

However, if you are traveling to Vietnam on a group tour or a tailor-made trip with some reputed tour company like TransIndus Holidays, there are several things to avoid to make sure you have a harmonious and respectful trip.

Things NOT to do in Vietnam

Don’t disrespect religious sites  

Dress respectfully when visiting Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, or Confucian places of worship and any other religious building by covering up your legs and upper arms. You may even have to take off your hat and shoes to enter.

Never try touching anybody on the head, especially a baby or a child, and avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards another person or to any Buddhist statue as they are both seen as signs of disrespect in Buddhist culture.

When planning 2 days in Hanoi, you will find yourself visiting plenty of temples, so just make sure to be aware of the rules and expectations.

Don’t go overboard when displaying affection in public 

Public displays of affection are viewed as inappropriate in Vietnam, so it is best to shun intimate physical contact such as hugging, kissing or even holding hands in public. This includes when you are relaxing on the best beaches in Vietnam too.

Like many other Asians, the Vietnamese too are very conservative and view displays of affection in public as something that sends a negative impression in their eyes and hence find it unacceptable.

Don’t buy bottled water without checking the seal

To make a fast bucket, the locals have been known to refill used bottles of mineral water with tap water and sell it to unwary travelers as a fresh bottle of water.

To avoid this, buy your mineral water only from reputable dealers after checking the seals thoroughly.A properly filled bottle of water will always safeguard you from any threatening infection from consuming tap water.

Don’t be afraid to bargain 

Almost all retail outlets and shopping centers do not have a uniform price tag on the items they tend to sell and try to extract as much as they can from the buyer. Knowing some basic background on the common local words like “how much” or “too expensive” can help when negotiating the price.

Make sure to be polite in your conversation and the way you interact with the shop owners as the more respect you show the better the bargain may be. The best way is to begin with a 50% discount and haggle to around 75% if possible.

Don’t miss out on the street food 

The Vietnamese are extremely passionate about their cuisine, especially their street food which is a hit with locals who throng the food stalls in the markets and streets throughout the day. This is the best way to eat all the incredible ethnic dishes of the country.

There are plenty of amazing restaurants in Hanoi, but trying the street food in the city is a must. One of the must-have dishes in Vietnam is Pho, a mix of noodles simmered in bone broth. Some other Street food dishes to try are:

• Banh Mi– A baguette stuffed with meat 

• Bun Cha– Noodles with BBQ pork patties 

• Banh Cuon- Rolls of steamed rice stuffed with 

Don’t offend local customs and traditions 

When visiting Vietnam, show respect and admiration for the local customs, like dressing modestly when visiting religious places and removing shoes before entering a temple or pagoda or anyone’s home as a sign of reverence.

The locals show a lot of respect to their elders, therefore it is important to adopt a polite demeanor and show respectful behavior when in their company.

Don’t forget the basic etiquette 

• When giving or receiving objects, do so with both hands together 
• Women are not allowed to touch a Buddhist monk. In case they wish to pass on an object it is best to do so either wrapped in tissue paper or pass it through another male.
• Feet are considered to be the dirtiest part of the body, especially the soles, which should never be pointed towards another person and one should adopt a posture to avoid this.
• It is considered poor manners and uncivilized for women to smoke cigarettes in public places.
• Offering food when going to meet someone, especially if you are in the southern part of Vietnam, is considered good manners. However, this is a token gesture as the person accepting it will always politely decline.
• The Vietnamese are extremely punctual and expect the same standard from others as well.

Don’t display over-confidence 

Humility is the essence of Vietnamese culture, hence avoid looking over-confident. When visiting Vietnam, avoid the habit of standing with your arms crossed or standing with hands on your hips 

Never flaunt your money or valuables and refrain from criticizing others as it is considered disrespectful. Always show high respect to anyone older than you. In case you are wearing a hat, remove it when speaking to someone older.

Don’t refuse a gift

Giving a gift in Vietnam is seen as a sign of respect and refusal is considered even more offensive. If by any chance you are presented with a gift, accept it graciously, but refrain from opening it in front of anyone.

Vietnamese expect that you will open the gift when you are alone. When visiting someone’s house, it is expected that you will carry a gift in some bright wrapping paper.

Don’t forget table manners 

Vietnamese enjoy sharing a meal, not only among the family but with friends and visitors as well.It infuses joy and laughter after a hard day of work and is an important part of their tradition and culture.

Follow these appropriate table manners when invited for a meal by a Vietnamese family:

• Wait till everyone is seated
• Finish all the food on your plate before taking another helping 
• Pass dishes using both hands
• Cover your mouth when using a toothpick 
• Finish the meal at the same time as others do.
• Vietnamese use chopsticks as the main way to eat, so practice eating with chopsticks before you accept the invitation.

Don’t lose your temper 

No matter what, never lose your temper when interacting with the locals. The Vietnamese, in general, are non-confrontational even when their rights are infringed upon. This happens now and then but they never flip out or start screaming, even when driving.

Losing your temper is seen as a sign of wanting to save face and the person you are confronting with also loses face and things can escalate quickly. Leave your inflated ego at home and just go with the flow.

Things to Know Before you go to Vietnam

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