VIETNAM

LANGUAGE

* English is not widely spoken in Vietnam, so it is advisable to check whether someone will be on hand to translate for you before visiting the country on business. Most large companies or any firm regularly involved in international trade will employ staff who can converse in English.

* If you intend to distribute written information in Vietnam, it would be prudent to prepare Vietnamese translations of this material beforehand. It is not necessary to reprint colour brochures in Vietnamese text but simple word-processed translations will be very useful. This gesture may be interpreted as a sign of your company's commitment to trading in Vietnam. Often the primary decision-maker in a Vietnamese organisation is not the English speaker with whom you are dealing. If you have Vietnamese language information about your company for senior management to examine, they may feel more comfortable about dealing with you.

BUSINESS ATTIRE

* The climate in Vietnam can be very hot all year round, so it is advisable to make allowances for this when selecting your business wardrobe. Probably the most suitable business attire is a lightweight tropical suit for both men and women or smart trousers with a collar and tie for men, or a skirt and blouse for women.

INTRODUCTIONS

* Always carry business cards when visiting Vietnam and distribute them at every business meeting.

* When giving or receiving cards, do so with both hands as a sign of respect and always take a few seconds to study any cards handed to you. Never place a person*s card immediately into your pocket without first studying it intently. Such a gesture would be considered dismissive and rude.

* Vietnamese names list the surname last, so when referring to a Vietnamese person, use their last name, prefixed by the appropriate term of reference. Hence Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet should be referred to as Mr Kiet.

MONEY

* The official Vietnamese unit of currency is the dong. When visiting Vietnam, it is advisable to carry a supply of US dollars in both large and small denominations. Use large bills for standard currency conversions and small bills for emergency purchases, taxis etc. US dollars have become an unofficial second currency in Vietnam and are essential if you intend to spend a lengthy period of time in the country. Travellers' cheques in $US can be exchanged at certain banks.

* If you intend travelling to regional or rural centres around Vietnam, try to finalise all financial transactions before setting off.

* Tipping is not customary in Vietnam.

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

* Post offices in major cities are open from 7.30 am until 7.30 pm.

* If your hotel lacks a fax, telex or telegraph service, Vietnamese post offices can provide these services at a reasonable price.

* Vietnamese telecommunications charges are among the highest in the world. The most convenient way to make an international telephone call is to use the services provided by most major hotels.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

* Vietnam's two main points of entry by air are Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi.

* Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat international airport is located approximately seven kilometres from the city*s downtown area. Allow around $US7 for the taxi fare into town.

* In Hanoi, the international airport is situated around 35 kilometres to the north of the city. The trip usually takes 45-50 minutes and costs approximately $US15 in a taxi.

* Always agree on the price of taxis before getting into the car in Vietnam. It is almost always necessary to bargain. Transport can be booked through a hotel.

GIFTS

* Never wrap gifts in black or white paper, as such colours are considered inauspicious in Vietnam. Green and red are widely associated with wealth and prosperity and are the most suitable colours for gift-wrapping.

* Never give knives or scissors, as these objects can be considered aggressive.

* Never give someone a gift which contains a set of six or 10 objects as these numbers are considered as unlucky in Vietnam.

GENERAL

* If taken to a temple, always remove your shoes before entering. If you are invited to a person*s home, check to see if they remove their shoes when inside and, if they do, it is advisable to do the same.

* Never point the bottoms of your feet towards any person or image of Buddhist statues. The feet are regarded as the least holy part of the body and this gesture is seen as disrespectful. Never touch a Buddhist person on the head, not even small children, as the head is considered the most sacred part of the body.

* When dining in a Vietnamese restaurant, never leave your chopsticks sticking out of your rice bowl, as this resembles sticks of incense burned for the dead, and is considered a very inauspicious death sign.

Return to Asia Pulse's Guide to Business Etiquette in Asia

Return to our Page Added July 8, 1998