Visiting a Vietnamese Home: What to Keep in Mind
You are about to visit Vietnamese home but are not sure about the culture and customs here. This article will help you clarify that.
Visiting a Vietnamese Home: What to Keep in Mind
Are you a first-time international visitor to Vietnam? Do you have a thorough understanding of the manners and traditions of this place? Do not worry, this post about Vietnamese home will help you summarize the important things to remember when visiting them so that you may earn their respect by being a decent person.
Post contents
The Value Of Cultural Awareness While Visiting A Vietnamese Home
To prevent awkward situations, it is essential to learn about the religion and culture of a nation. The biggest nightmare for everyone is to unintentionally upset the natives. To guarantee that your vacation to Vietnam is as enjoyable as possible, familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of Vietnamese culture.
Things to keep in mind when visiting a Vietnamese house
Remember The Following When Visiting A Vietnamese Home
Below is a list of things you should know and keep in mind when visiting a Vietnamese house:
How To Dress Appropriately
The first thing you should consider is your attire when you go to a Vietnamese house to visit and meet family members. You should dress modestly and comfortably; a suit or other really formal attire is OK as long as it isn’t overly exposed.
It would be wonderful if you respected the culture and people of Vietnam by dressed properly, as most Vietnamese people are quite polite, open, and welcoming to tourists.
Moreover, you should not wear a hat when visiting a Vietnamese home. Because according to Vietnamese beliefs, wearing a hat in the house will make that person look shorter, as well as not be protected by their ancestors. This is related to some spiritual aspects that Vietnamese people often pass on to each other in daily life.
Respect the worship place in Vietnamese home
Visitors should use caution in places with altars or shrines whether staying in rural inns or touring residences. It is imperative that you take off your shoes in order to access these areas. Aside from that, you should refrain from touching or making love in places where there are altars or shrines.
Respect the worship area of Vietnamese people
Considering that Buddhism and Christianity are the two most common religions in Vietnam, almost every Vietnamese home will have a distinct place for worship. You should give your superiors a little bow when you travel by this area to demonstrate your respect. The altar is where family members honor their ancestors; it is a holy space, therefore be mindful of the cultures and beliefs of the locals.
The appropriate approach to greet in a Vietnamese home
A broad welcome that may be exchanged at any time of day or night, the conventional Vietnamese greeting lacks the distinction between day and night. It’s advisable to become familiar with the standard Vietnamese greetings for any situation, for example “Con chào cô” , “Con chào chú” ,… Good afternoon or good evening are not typically said by Vietnamese people, however they do say good morning frequently. To extend proper greetings, let keep this in mind.
Take off your shoes before entering the Vietnamese home
The first thing you should do when you arrive to Vietnamese home for the first time is take off your shoes before going inside. Families typically have the custom of removing shoes before entering the house.
It would be ideal if you maintained the Vietnamese home you visited tidy, as Vietnamese people have the practice of sweeping the house every morning. In contrast to the chaotic and dirty exterior, the inside of the house is regarded as a tidy and private space. As a result, before entering a Vietnamese home, you should remove your shoes and place them neatly outside.
It’s proper to take off your shoes before entering the house
Gifts Given When Visiting A Vietnamese Home
Vietnamese households love to give fruit and sweets as gifts because in Vietnamese tradition it represents wealth, health, and plenty. In addition, as tea is a nutritious beverage and is served to guests when they are staying at the house, it is also the most popular present for parents in the family. When visiting a Vietnamese house, refrain from gifting expensive gifts like jewelry, watches, and alcohol on the first encounter.
Dining Etiquette In A Vietnamese Meal
Eating and drinking is an essential part of your visit to a Vietnamese home. When dining, you should keep in mind the following manners to comply with the dining customs here. During meals, Vietnamese people will use chopsticks to pick up food and spoons to scoop up drinks. When eating, avoid using your bare hands to pick up or grasp food, and avoid tapping your chopsticks on the bowl.
In addition, before starting the meal, you also need to say an opening statement with the meaning of inviting the whole family to eat, in Vietnamese it is “Mời cả nhà ăn cơm” and at the same time wait for the elderly in the house to eat first.
How To Communicate And Behave In A Vietnamese Home
One way to show that one is cultured in Vietnam is to say “Cảm ơn” or “Xin lỗi” This is a courteous and civilized way to behave with others. These very fundamental communication guidelines might be helpful in fostering empathy. It also demonstrates how well you can pick up new skills and absorb cultural information.
You should be relaxed and cheerful when speaking with Vietnamese people; in particular, smiling will make you seem more approachable to them. For the duration of the meeting, refrain from discussing delicate subjects like politics, religion, or sex.
It is okay to give the host a complement when you are pleased with the meal or the style of decorating, for example. Conversely, though, avoid being overly direct in your criticism or expression of unfavorable feelings when faced with an issue that is not meeting your standards since this will create an unpleasant and hostile environment.
Vietnamese people will behave differently in each location according to their culture, thus it is imperative that you educate yourself before visiting a Vietnamese house.
Whatever the guiding principle may be, the most crucial factor while visiting a Vietnamese home is the genuineness of visitors, as the material of the HOUSING SAIGON page has served to highlight. Savor the fantastic journeys in this safest nation, guys!