What is considered rude in Vietnamese culture?

Vietnamese people typically avoid direct eye contact and may gaze downward when talking. Avoiding eye contact demonstrates respect to elders, people of higher status or of the opposite sex. Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude, especially when done by women.
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What things are offensive in Vietnam?

Common taboos in Vietnam

Avoid hugging, holding hands, and especially kissing in public. Even touching a member of the opposite sex is looked down upon. Modesty: It is important to keep your body covered. Avoid overly short shorts and revealing shirts.
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How do Vietnamese show affection?

Men and women do not show affection in public. However, members of the same sex may hold hands while walking. Always use both hands when passing an object to another person. Touching children on the head is only done by parents, grandparents, etc.
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What are the five most important values of Vietnamese culture?

Vietnamese cultural values emphasize the importance of family and community. Its core values, which embrace the principles of Confucianism, are harmony, duty, honor, respect, education and allegiance to the family.
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What are some taboos in Vietnamese culture?

Public Behavior Taboos

Avoid public displays of affection with a person of the opposite sex. Do not wear revealing swimwear such as bikinis. Do not take photos of three people. Do not take photos of military installations or anything to do with the military or the police.
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You're being RUDE in Vietnam and YOU DON'T KNOW IT!



What is forbidden in Vietnam?

Some things that are illegal in Vietnam include Gambling, Prostitution, Drug Use and Distribution, and Pornography. Vietnamese law is built based on the long-standing culture and the characteristics of the local Vietnamese lifestyle.
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Do and don'ts in Vietnam culture?

The Vietnamese people value humility, restraint, and modesty. Avoid being boastful or showing off wealth. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon so try to avoid touching people of the opposite sex. Dress conservatively and keep your body covered.
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How do you show respect to Vietnamese?

The Vietnamese consider the following respectful:
  1. Bowing is a greeting and shows great respect.
  2. Nodding is used as another way to say hello and yes.
  3. Avoiding eye contact shows respect to older people or to people of the opposite sex.
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What is considered most respectful in Vietnamese culture?

Bow your head to pay respect to the temple and the Buddha statues inside. Wear appropriate clothing – you will need to cover their chest and shoulders. If you are wearing a dress, make sure it hangs lower than your knees.
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Is marriage important in Vietnamese culture?

The ceremony is significant in Vietnamese culture, as marriage is not only viewed as a union of two people, but also the union of two families." Nguyen also explains that historically there was an additional pre-engagement step known as Dạm Ngõ that would take place.
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Do Vietnamese like eye contact?

Vietnamese people typically avoid direct eye contact and may gaze downward when talking. Avoiding eye contact demonstrates respect to elders, people of higher status or of the opposite sex. Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude, especially when done by women.
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What are the 5 characteristics of Vietnamese?

An overview of five main characteristics of Vietnamese culture shows that the core qualities or values of Vietnamese are senses of patriotism, national pride, humanity, community and sophistication.
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What are Vietnamese family values?

For Vietnamese families, the highest standard of family happiness is affection, gratitude, attachment, and mutual support. Vietnamese people, regardless of their whereabouts, age, and position, are family-oriented, thirsting for love and sharing.
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What is disrespectful to Vietnamese?

To common Vietnamese people, too much make-up, brightly painted nails, heavy tattoos, too much jewelry will create an impression that you're not a decent, educated kind of people, or rather, a trọc phú (an empty-headed rich person). It is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public.
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What are some weird laws in Vietnam?

  • TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOS, DRAW at some places are not allowed. ...
  • LARGE CROWD in which you can get caught up in the moment. ...
  • MOTORBIKE can not drive more than two people or bulky items. ...
  • DRINKING AGE is 18. ...
  • DO NOT DRIVE AFTER DRINKING. ...
  • SPEAKING AGAINST Vietnam, government and Communist Party may bring problems.
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Is crossing your fingers Offensive in Vietnam?

In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude, especially to another person. Referring to female genitals, it is comparable to the middle finger in American culture. In German-speaking countries and also Sweden and Latvia the gesture is a sign of lying. Instead, wishing for luck is gestured by holding thumbs.
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What gifts do Vietnamese like?

Vietnamese Gifts Etiquettes
  • Wine is one of the most popular gifts in Vietnam.
  • Gift combo is a favorite gift in Vietnam.
  • Nice mooncake sets at full moon festival.
  • Fresh fruits such as pomelos, strawberries, grapes are very popular in Vietnam.
  • Gift toys to children, they can also gift toys on first birthday anniversary.
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How do you apologize to a Vietnamese person?

Tôi chân thành xin lỗi.

I sincerely apologize. If you feel strongly about your apology, this is another slightly more formal phrase to use.
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Is slurping rude in Vietnam?

Yet in Vietnam, it is considered impolite if you chew food with your mouth open, or slurp loudly from your spoon. If chewing with open mouth is your habit, try to reduce the noise as much as possible. Soon you'll find that habit be gone, and you can enjoy your delicious meal in a polite silence.
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What hand gestures are offensive in Vietnam?

Palm down when you call someone over

The usual gesture to call people over — open hand, palm up — is considered rude in Vietnam. It's how people call for dogs here. To show respect, point your palm face down instead. And you also shouldn't call someone over when they're older than you.
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How do you show gratitude in Vietnam?

Cám ơn is the standard way of saying thank you in Vietnamese, especially in Southern Vietnam. In Northern Vietnam, you may hear cảm ơn instead, with a different accent mark, as thank you. Just know that there is no difference in terms of meaning. The word cảm means "to feel", whereas the word ơn means "favor".
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What should I be careful of in Vietnam?

What are the common security risks in Vietnam?
  • Petty crime. As a victim of petty crime in Vietnam, I can confirm that it is something that you need to be wary of throughout the country. ...
  • Scammers and opportunists. ...
  • Corruption. ...
  • Road accidents. ...
  • Lack of rural healthcare. ...
  • Typhoons and storms. ...
  • Earthquakes. ...
  • Subscribe to CloseCircle.
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Is there a dress code in Vietnam?

There is no law for a dress code in Vietnam per se, and Vietnamese have grown totally accustomed to seeing visiting tourists who dress in ways that they normally wouldn't in public.
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What superstitions do the Vietnamese follow?

Vietnamese superstitions to know
  • No sweeping the house or taking out the trash on the first day of the lunar new year.
  • Dining-related superstitions.
  • No eating eggs before exams.
  • Children wearing hats indoors will not grow tall.
  • If a dragonfly bites your belly button, you learn how to swim.
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