Vietnamese Greetings:
- For official purposes, customs in Vietnam dictate that people generally use the English Mr. or Ms. before the title or the title and the first name. They also use the Vietnamese word ‘Thua’, which stands for ‘please’, to add a note of reverence.
- We give more importance to our family name and put it first, then our middle name and finally their first name.
- True to the conservative traditions in Vietnam, the Vietnamese are absolutely averse to any kind of physical contact in public, especially among the opposite sex. Hence they do not generally shake hands but bow down a little to greet each other. At times they also join there hands and sometimes an elderly person touches a child’s head.

Language of Vietnam:
The language of Vietnam is ‘Vietnamese’ which is extremely different from English, not only in its pronunciations but also in grammar. However, our language is very melodious as we have monosyllabic words only, each with six different tones. The tone of the word can entirely change its connotation. The Vietnamese have three fundamental dialects, all very similar to one another and hence can be comprehended by most Vietnamese. The second most popular language in Vietnam is English.

Social Behavior in Vietnam:
The Vietnamese are very modest and courteous people. These are reflected in the Vietnamese customs and traditions. We have an extremely simple lifestyle and that reflects in our social communication and in our manners of interaction with each other.
- Talking loudly or using too much of body movement, especially when interacting with women is considered impolite.
- Do not beckon anyone with hand or fingers pointed vertically. If people have to use their hand then they use their entire hand with fingers placed downward.
- Traditionally Vietnamese generally do not observe birthdays, but influence from the west has changed this custom a bit. Marriages and funerals are chief rituals that too performed in a very formal manner.
- Since Vietnamese are very humble they hate boasting and if they are commended for anything then they simply smile modestly.
- Takes promises very seriously.
- On a social outing with friends, the bill is paid by the host.
- Do not drink in public as it is considered a social shame, but drinking is quite common among the men. Equally prevalent is smoking, even women smoke at times but it is considered to be vulgar if they smoke in public.
- Vietnamese are very sentimental about our ancestors and an insult to them is a serious disrespect.

Vietnamese Marriage:
The bond of marriage is considered sacred among the Vietnamese and people strongly believe in the play of fate where choosing a mate for marriage is concerned.
- The traditional age for marriage is between 18 to 25 for girls and 20 to 39 for boys.
- Vietnamese usually have arranged marriages, that is mates chosen by the family but the bride and groom is also given the right to voice their opinion.
- After marriage the wife lives in the husband’s family and there she is supposed to do all the household chores as instructed by the mother-in-law.

Vietnamese Family Structure: Vietnamese customs and traditions give the highest importance to the familial structure. The family is considered a social unit in Vietnam.
- People live in large patriarchal joint families, with four generations residing together.
- The man in the family takes care of the external world while the women are responsible for the matters of the house.
- Children live with parents till the time of their marriage.
- Children also look after their aged parents until death.

Vietnam lives by its people and our simplicity and the Vietnamese customs and traditions are a reflection of our straightforwardness.