Vietnam Culture of Taboos – DOs & DON’Ts

Vietnam is well-known for its breath-taking landscapes and distinct culture, appealing to thousands of tourists every year. The Vietnamese are also extremely superstitious, therefore, they have lots of taboos. They always appreciate tourists trying to obey their customs. Below are some typical taboos Ecohost would like to give you to make your trip to Vietnam a culturally enriching experience.

Vietnam Culture Taboos – Don’ts

• Never wear shorts, dresses, skirts or tops with bare shoulders to the Temples and Pagodas
• Do not use one hand when offering something to older people or higher status than you. It shows your rudeness.
• Never take a photo of 3 people, you can take photo 1, 2 or more than 3. Vietnamese people believe that it will be unlucky if you take a shot in a group of 3.
• Do not compliment on a little baby. Their parents will feel unpleasant if you forget to say “trộm vía” before leaving a good comment on their babies.
• Do not take any shots without asking for permission.
• Never sit until shown where to sit. The oldest people will sit first.
• Do not forget to take the shoes off when entering a Vietnamese’s
• Do not give anything black, yellow flowers or chrysanthemums as a gift to Vietnamese. Because they believe that they are spent on the dead.
• Do not push Vietnamese into an embarrassing situation. The concept of “saving face” is so important in the social relationship.
• Do not show off. The Vietnamese are always modest and humble.
• Do not wear colorful clothes for a funeral.
• Avoid breaking the mirror because something bad is going to happen.
• Do not chew noisily when eating.

Vietnam Culture Taboos – Dos

• Bargain for anything in Vietnam except for buying in a supermarket or restaurant
• Do learn how to use chopsticks. Remember to finish everything on the plates or bowls and put them on the top of rice bowl after finishing your meals.
• Do keep your valuable things such as cash, credit card, jewelry, etc in a safe place.
• Change money from a reliable moneychanger such as banks or Ha Trung
• Pay all debts before the Lunar New Year’s Eve.