Vietnamese etiquette and gift-giving: a guide for foreigners

Most Vietnamese hosts forgive a foreigner's small mistakes, but a few gestures show respect immediately. This guide covers the situations where foreigners most often wonder what to bring and how to behave.

Visiting a Vietnamese home

Bring something small: fruit, sweets, tea or flowers. A fruit basket is a safe choice for older relatives.
Greet the oldest person first, and take your shoes off if your hosts do.
Give and receive gifts, cups and business cards with both hands.
At the table, wait for the eldest to start, and let your host serve you.

Weddings

The usual gift is cash in an envelope (phong bì), placed in the box at the reception.
Guests who cannot attend often send flowers or a gift instead; see wedding flowers.
Dress neatly, and ask the couple or a Vietnamese colleague if there is a dress code.

Funerals

Condolence money is given in a plain envelope, and companies or friends often send a funeral wreath with a ribbon carrying their name; see funeral wreaths.
White and yellow flowers such as chrysanthemums and lilies are the usual colours; avoid bright red.
Wear dark or plain clothes and follow the family's lead at the altar.

Tet (Lunar New Year)

Lucky money (lì xì) is given in red envelopes, usually in new banknotes, to children and older relatives.
Visiting during the first days of Tet, bring fruit, sweets or flowers; peach blossom is typical in the north and yellow apricot blossom in the south.
Many families avoid arguments, sweeping the house and talking about bad luck during the first days.

Business: openings and partners

When a partner opens a shop or office, the custom is a congratulatory flower stand with a ribbon naming your company; see grand opening flowers.
On International Women's Day (8 March) and Vietnamese Women's Day (20 October) many companies give flowers to their female staff and partners.
Orchids are a popular long-lasting gift for an office; see phalaenopsis orchids.

What not to give

Knives and scissors, which many people link to cutting a relationship.
Handkerchiefs, which are linked to tears and farewells.
Funeral colours (all-white or yellow-white bouquets) for happy occasions.

More about flower meanings and colours in Vietnamese flower customs.

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.

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