Many customs are rooted in both the Confucian respect for education, family, and elders, and the Taoist desire to avoid conflict. Vietnamese tend to be very polite, avoid talking about feelings, and are stoic.
Names, Naming
Traditionally, Vietnamese people list their family name first, then their middle name, with their first (given) name listed as last. Family members use different given names (first names aren't passed down), and the name reflects some meaning. Most names can be used for either gender. Many in the U.S. have adopted Western customs of naming or if naturalized, may adopt Western names. Each family member has a designated kinship term, and these are used when family members address one another.
Birthdates are written as follows: Day/Month/Year. For example, May 14, 1993 would be written: 14/5/93.
Status, Role, Prestige
Vietnamese culture is concerned more with status (obtained with age and education) than with wealth. If one were to rank them in their importance, education would likely come first, followed by age and then wealth.
Thua (meaning please) is added in front of the honorific name to show respect to elders. To show respect, more traditionally minded Vietnamese will bow their heads to a superior or elder. The depth of the bow is not a factor.
In Vietnam, professions that are high status include doctor, priest, and teacher.
Greetings
To address people formally, use Mr. or Ms. or a title plus the first name. There are also several other honorific forms when addressing people of different relationships in Vietnamese, but they are not used in English.
Many may greet by bowing slightly. Usually, elders or higher ranking people are greeted first (the family head).
This language learning tool features videos of native speakers saying phrases of courtesy in nine languages, including Vietnamese. Phrases of greeting, introduction, acknowledgment, departure and for emergency situations in a clinical setting can be played at a normal speed and at a learning speed. The goal of this tool is to provide a jumping-off point for developing rapport in the interpreted health encounter.
Displays of Respect
To avoid confrontation or disrespect, many will not vocalize disagreement.
Praising someone profusely is often regarded as flattery, and sometimes even mockery. Most people are very modest and deflect praise.
Insults to elders or ancestors are very serious and often lead to severed social ties.
General Etiquette
Many will smile easily and often, regardless of the underlying emotion, so a smile cannot automatically be interpreted as happiness or agreement.
Vietnamese often laugh in situations that other cultures may find inappropriate. This laughter is not intended as ridicule.
Breaking a promise can be a serious violation of social expectation. It is very difficult to re-establish a lost confidence.
When inviting a friend on an outing, the person who offers the invitation usually offers to pay to the bill.
During social gatherings, Vietnamese will often arrive late so as not to appear overly enthusiastic. However, they are punctual to appointments in professional settings.
When giving gifts, often the giver minimizes the value of the item, even though it may be great. The recipient of a gift is expected to display significant gratitude that sometimes lasts a lifetime. Some may be reluctant to accept a gift because of the burden of gratitude. Vietnamese may refuse a gift on the first offer, even if they intend to accept it, so as not to appear greedy.
Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude, especially when done by women.
Summoning a person with a hand or finger in the upright position is reserved only for animals or inferior people. Between two equal people it is a provocation. To summon a person, the entire hand with the fingers facing down is the only appropriate hand signal.
Subject: Vietnamese Cultural Profile 
Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:23 am
