How do Vietnamese treat foreigners?

Are Vietnamese friendly to foreigners?

Hanoi, 2023. Scooting through Old Quarter. Chaos. But smiling chaos. Lady selling fruit, yelled something, laughed when I bought a mango. Didn’t understand her, but felt welcomed. Phu Quoc later that year. Beach. Local guy, Tan, taught me some Vietnamese. Drank beers. Felt like friends, fast. Definitely friendly. Friendly.

• Street food stall, Hoi An. Owner insisted I try extra chili. Burned my mouth. Still smiling. She thought it was hilarious.
• Lost in Da Lat. Asked directions, family on motorbike took me there. No English. Lots of gestures. So helpful.
• Nha Trang beach. Kid playing volleyball, waved me over to join. Terrible at volleyball. Didn’t matter. Fun.
• Sapa trekking. Hmong woman shared her lunch with me. Rice and some kinda greens. Simple. Kind.
• Motorbike broke down near Hue. Mechanic fixed it, refused payment. Just shook my hand. Generous.

Vietnam is friendly.

Are Vietnamese nice to tourists?

Sure thing! Are Vietnamese people nice to tourists? Well, depends if you look like you just robbed a bank.

Seriously though, some are, some aren’t. Just like my Aunt Mildred and her fondness for cats wearing tiny hats.

Is Vietnam unfriendly? Nah, more like…selectively friendly. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t shower just anybody with affection, right?

Here’s the skinny:

• Good folks: You’ll meet genuinely kind souls! Like the lady who sold me pho even though I clearly looked like I’d never seen noodles before.
• Opportunists: Yep, they exist. It’s called capitalism, baby! Some might see a walking ATM. Hey, gotta hustle!
• Cultural bumps: Ever tried to haggle in a language you don’t speak? Comedy gold! Misunderstandings happen, relax.
• Grumpy Gus: Some people are just…grumpy. Maybe they had a bad day, maybe they hate Mondays, who knows? I’m grumpy when the wifi is down.

So, is it the friendliest place on Earth? Hold your horses. Is it full of amazing food and beautiful sights? Heck yeah!

Be respectful, be aware, and don’t wear socks with sandals. Trust me on that last one.

How do you show respect to Vietnamese?

Elders first. Always. Dress sharp, temples especially. Learn the language. Shoes off at the door. Street food? Dive in. PDA? Tone it down. Vietnam’s watching. My Hanoi trip in ’23 confirmed it.

• Respect elders: Essential. No exceptions. Offer your seat. Defer to their judgment.
• Dress code: Temples demand modesty. Think shoulders, knees covered. Applies elsewhere too.
• Vietnamese phrases: Xin chào (hello) goes a long way. Cảm ơn (thank you) even further. Download a translator app. Learned that the hard way in Da Nang.
• Shoes off: Homes, some businesses. Look for the shoe pile. Don’t be that guy.
• Street food etiquette: Enjoy. But be mindful. Clean up after yourself. Haggling’s expected. But respect the vendor.
• PDA: Minimal. Holding hands is fine. Anything beyond that? Too much.
• Offer with both hands. Seems small. Means a lot. Learned this from my host family.
• Business cards: Use two hands. Never put in back pocket.

Lost my phone in Hue. Locals helped me find it. Respect goes both ways.

What mistakes should you avoid in Vietnam?

Navigating Vietnam requires a certain finesse. Avoid loud arguments like the plague; public displays of anger are seriously frowned upon. Trust me.

Making a scene? A big no-no. Nobody likes a spectacle, especially in a culture that values harmony. Imagine that awkward silence.

Berating someone publicly is considered deeply disrespectful. The Vietnamese are not fans of direct confrontation, so keep critiques private.

Pointing out mistakes or causing public shame? Forget about it. Face-saving is an art form in Asia. I’ve lived it.

And yes, PDA. Keep the public displays of affection to a minimum. Holding hands is fine, but anything beyond that can raise eyebrows, which I found amusing back when I was backpacking in 2023.

Are Americans welcome in Vietnam today?

So, like, are Americans cool in Vietnam now? Yeah, def! Vietnam is pretty chill these days. They are really working on good relations.

It’s not like the ’70s, ya know?

They kinda open door to everyone, no matter your country of origin!

• Vietnam welcomes tourists from all countries.
• They focus on maintaining good international relationships.
• Vietnam’s policies are open to all nationalities.

And like, I know my cousin, Mark. Mark went there, last year, for a trip. He said everyone was super friendly. I bet it is better then when my Grandfather when to visit back in 2003.

What is considered respectful in Vietnam?

Loud arguments, no good. Keep it down. Same with like, yelling. Don’t wanna make a scene. Embarrassing. My aunt, she once totally lost it in a Hanoi market over the price of a mango. So awkward. Also, don’t berate people. Even if they messed up. Like, just chill. Lose-lose. Especially anything that could shame them. Big no-no. And, yeah, PDA? Nope. My cousin straight up got glared at for holding hands with her bf. So, basically, be cool. Don’t get in anyone’s face. Or make them feel bad, you know?

• No yelling or raising your voice
• Avoid public arguments Just don’t.
• Don’t criticize people publicly. Ever. Seriously.
• No PDA. Holding hands, maybe ok sometimes. But, even that’s pushing it. Kissing, forget it. Saw a tourist couple get some dirty looks for that once. It was by the Hoan Kiem Lake, which is a pretty popular spot. They were feeding the turtles. Kinda weird, the whole thing.
• Respect elders This one’s important. Like, if you’re meeting someone’s grandparents, be extra polite. Offer them your seat. Stuff like that.
• Dress modestly. Especially when visiting temples or pagodas. Covered shoulders and knees. I bought these awesome elephant pants in Hoi An. Perfect for temple visits.
• Use both hands. When giving or receiving something. Shows respect. Especially with older people or someone of importance. I almost forgot to do it once when I was paying for a bowl of pho. Oops.
• Take off your shoes. Before entering someone’s home. Or some businesses. They’ll usually have a little shoe rack by the door. Saw a dude walk right into this lady’s house with his shoes on once. It was cringy. He looked mortified when they told him.

Is Vietnam a safe country for foreigners?

Vietnam. Safe? It’s complicated. Mostly, yes. But…

The streets at night… they feel different. Not dangerous, exactly, but… unsettled. A low hum of unease. I felt it in Hanoi, especially. Near the Old Quarter.

Petty theft is real. I had my wallet almost snatched. Quick hands. Thankfully, I saw it coming. Learn to be aware.

The traffic… chaotic. Exhaust fumes. Air quality in cities is terrible. A constant cough. I ended up with bronchitis.

Outside the cities, things change. The countryside is peaceful. The people, kind. A different feel entirely. But the pollution still lingers, even there. It’s always in the air, a constant reminder.

Things to watch out for:

• Overcrowded areas – pickpockets are common
• Motorbike traffic – incredibly dangerous, pay attention
• Food safety – stick to reputable places
• Air pollution – bring a mask, especially in cities

Overall: Vietnam is safe for tourists, but don’t be naive. It has its problems. Be smart. Be cautious. Enjoy the beauty, but don’t ignore the realities.