Opening a business in Viet Nam: grand opening customs for foreign companies

A shop, restaurant or office in Viet Nam rarely just opens its doors. Most Vietnamese owners, and many foreign companies with Vietnamese staff, hold a grand opening with an offering ceremony, guests and flowers from partners. None of it is a legal requirement, but your staff, landlord and partners will notice how it is done.

Choosing the date and hour

Many owners choose an auspicious day and hour (ngày giờ hoàng đạo) from the lunar calendar, often matched to the owner’s year of birth. A Vietnamese colleague or your landlord can usually recommend someone who does this.
Some lunar days are widely avoided for new beginnings, notably the tam nương days: the 3rd, 7th, 13th, 18th, 22nd and 27th of the lunar month.
Many openings fall in the weeks after Tet, when businesses start the year afresh; book flowers and a lion dance team early for that period.

The offering ceremony

Before the doors open, the owner makes an offering (lễ cúng khai trương) to the God of Wealth and the Earth God (Thần Tài, Ông Địa), whose small altar sits near the entrance of many shops, especially in the south.
The tray usually holds roast pork, sticky rice, boiled chicken, a plate of five fruits, flowers, candles and incense. Many owners order the whole tray ready-made.
The owner or a senior Vietnamese staff member lights the incense and asks for good business; foreign managers are welcome to stand beside them and bow with the incense.
Afterwards the food is shared among the staff, which is part of the luck.

Lion dance and ribbon cutting

Shops, restaurants and showrooms often hire a lion dance team (múa lân), whose drums are believed to drive away bad luck and draw a crowd to the opening.
Offices and factories more often hold a short ceremony with guests, speeches and a ribbon cutting, followed by a meal.

Flower stands from partners

Partners, suppliers and friends send standing flower arrangements (kệ hoa, lẵng hoa khai trương) that line the entrance. The more stands outside, the more successful the opening looks, so they stay on display for a few days.
Bright colours carry the meaning: red and yellow for luck and prosperity, often sunflowers, roses and gerberas. Avoid all-white arrangements, which belong to funerals.
Each stand carries a ribbon with a wish and the sender’s name. Common wishes are “Chúc mừng khai trương” (congratulations on your opening), “Khai trương hồng phát” (may the opening bring prosperity) and “Vạn sự như ý” (may everything go as you wish).
Flowers should arrive before the ceremony, usually the same morning; give the florist the address and the hour.

See grand opening flower stands and opening flower baskets; we write the ribbon in Vietnamese and print your company name as you give it.

The first sale

Many owners care about the first customer of the opening day (mở hàng), believing it sets the tone for the year, so they hope the first sale goes smoothly, without haggling or returns.
Talk of losses, failure or bad luck is avoided on the day; congratulations and wishes for prosperity are what people expect to hear.

When a partner opens

Sending a flower stand with your company name is the standard gesture; see grand opening flowers.
For an office, a phalaenopsis orchid is a popular alternative because it keeps flowering for weeks.
If you attend, arrive on time, congratulate the owner and stay for the meal if you are invited.

More: Vietnamese etiquette and gift-giving.

More guides on living in Viet Nam

Customs differ between families, regions and generations; this page describes common practice, not rules.

Written by a florist in Ho Chi Minh City

This series is written by Flosa, a flower shop in Ho Chi Minh City that delivers to homes, offices and hotels across Viet Nam. For company orders see flowers for companies; for the holidays of your own community in Viet Nam see flower holidays in Viet Nam.

Page menu