Culture & Customs
Tourism has become an important and established industry in Vietnam over the last decade and most visitors usually have a very enjoyable experience in their interactions with the Vietnamese people. That said, like any country Vietnam has a diverse population so it can pay to be informed about what you might expect from the local population when visiting their country.
Generally speaking, the Vietnamese people are very friendly and hospitable to foreign visitors. Around the major cities, the prevalence of tourism means that locals are well acquainted with travelers and will make you feel welcome. In the more remote and rural areas however, local people are not always accustomed to the sight of foreigners and may stare at you in harmless fascination. The best response is to always stay happy and smile or wave, and you will usually receive the same in return.
When purchasing goods outside of large department stores, bartering is an expected part of the transaction. Foreigners will generally be quoted a higher price than local people on the expectation that some haggling will occur. How much prices are reduced depends on how skilled you are at the process, however a reduction of at least around 10% can usually be expected.
Tipping is not usually expected, and can often be already factored into the price you are charged. However if you choose to tip, it will certainly be appreciated by staff working in low-paid employment.
The predominant religions are Buddhism, Christianity and Catholicism.
One aspect of traveling in Vietnam that can occasionally cause problems for visitors is the persistence of some street sellers, vendors or taxi drivers determined to make a sale. This can sometimes be interpreted as a personal indignity by visitors, however it is usually just a case of a trader trying to succeed in a very competitive market. If you are followed along a street or through a market by an unwanted seller, simply keep reiterating that you are not interested. Losing your temper is the worst thing you can do and will only leave you appearing arrogant and inconsiderate. Stay happy, be respectful and enjoy the experience for what it is.
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