Vietnam is not only about the vast golden rice fields or the magnificent Ha Long Bay. The most outstanding feature is the warm and hospitable Vietnamese people who are the subjects creating unique cultural beauty and tasty foods for tourists.
1. Who are the Vietnamese people?
The Vietnamese people are a community of more than 101 million people belonging to 54 ethnic groups living on the S-shaped strip of land, stretching from Mong Cai to Ca Mau Cape, from the mountains to the plains and islands. Among them, the Kinh ethnic group is the majority, often living in the plains, while the ethnic minorities mainly reside in the northern mountainous areas and the Central Highlands.
If you want to explore Vietnam’s cultural diversity, plan to visit the mountains, plains, big cities, and remote villages. The multi-region itinerary will help you deeply understand the people and cultural beauty here.
Ethnic diversity also creates linguistic richness in the local communities. Each community has its own language, but Vietnamese is the most common language used by 85% of the population. Therefore, Vietnamese is chosen as the official language in Vietnamese administrative documents.
👉 You can refer to the article about the Vietnamese language to better understand it.
2. Outstanding personality traits of Vietnamese people
Each Vietnamese person has their own personality, but they also share many similarities, contributing to creating a unique culture and lifestyle.
Here are the most outstanding characteristics:
2.1. Hospitality and friendliness
Vietnamese people are famous for their hospitality. When visiting a Vietnamese family, you will always be warmly welcomed, even if you may not understand each other’s language. Familiar gestures such as offering water, inviting food, and even preparing more delicious dishes or a few cans of beer to entertain guests clearly show their sincerity.
If someone in the family knows English, they are willing to act as a bridge to help you communicate efficiently and feel more comfortable.
Also, you want to explore the surrounding village. In that case, someone will happily invite you on a motorbike to take you through each small alley.
Friendliness is shown not only in the family but also in public places.
- When shopping at a grocery store, even if they don’t know your language, the seller will still happily use gestures to guide you in choosing the correct item.
- When asking for directions, you will receive enthusiastic instructions that can sometimes confuse you because so many people want to help.
This friendliness has created a unique culture where people are always ready to support each other. In the countryside, people can get to know each other quite well even if they are 5 km away – they know what you do for a living, your family life, and your relationships. This is a special bond in the Vietnamese community.
2.2. Resilient and hardworking
Vietnamese people are famous for their resilient and hardworking spirit. Having endured many historical events, they never give up in the face of difficulties but are always steadfast and determined to overcome challenges. No matter how harsh the circumstances, they persistently pursue their goals and are dedicated to their work.
Stories of this perseverance can be found everywhere.
- There are images of parents working hard in the fields, enduring the sun and rain to raise their children, giving them the opportunity to study fully and become useful people.
- There are images of mothers wandering around the streets selling lottery tickets, saving every penny so that their children can continue to go to school.
- Behind a cart full of fruit in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the dream of a better future for a small family.
Although life is full of challenges, they always strive tirelessly, wishing to overcome difficulties and build a brighter tomorrow.
2.3. Promoting family values
Although society is developing rapidly and culture is increasingly intertwined with the world, family values still hold an important position in Vietnamese life.
Family is not only the foundation of each individual but also the source of sustainable development. Many family temples are preserved, even built more spaciously, clearly demonstrating the tradition of valuing family and lineage.
Therefore, filial piety towards parents and grandparents is always highly valued. Taking care of parents when they are old or organizing ancestral worship ceremonies is not only a responsibility but also an indispensable part of the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.
If you have the opportunity to visit Vietnam, you may accidentally attend an ancestral worship ceremony or anniversary. At that time, you will feel the connection in the extended family. The close family relationships may surprise you, such as a 30-year-old person calling a 5-year-old child “Uncle” (Cậu) or an old man with a cane still calling a younger person “Older Brother” (Anh). This is the typical family culture of Vietnamese people.
2.4. Modesty and gentleness
Although some Vietnamese people are sometimes hot-tempered, most communicate politely, influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism. These two foundations contribute to forming a gentle and respectful speaking style, especially with international friends. They always try to create a happy atmosphere, avoiding direct conflicts.
Therefore, the locals often speak tactfully and prefer to reconcile and avoid harsh reactions. They prefer subtle expressions, sometimes somewhat flowery, as in the proverb:
“Words do not cost money,
Choose your words carefully to please each other.”
When traveling to Vietnam, you should avoid arguing. Vietnamese people try to keep away from negative opinions about confrontations, regardless of who is right or wrong. Therefore, maintaining a moderate attitude will help your trip go smoothly and create a good impression on the locals.
2.5. Optimistic and practical
You can easily see smiles on the faces of workers – from farmers in the fields to street vendors to those meticulously wrapping Banh Chung.
Despite the hardship, they still find joy in their work. They tell unfinished stories to relieve stress or cheerfully ask you, “Where are you from?” “What’s your name?” when they see you stop to observe their work. These short conversations help them feel more comfortable and forget their fatigue.
Vietnamese people are also very practical. They think and act based on real conditions, taking advantage of what is available instead of dreaming far-fetched dreams. In small-scale production, they prioritize simple solutions suitable for economic circumstances rather than investing in modern technology.
Even when working under challenging conditions – sun, rain, lack of materials, or supporting means – they are not discouraged. Their perseverance and adaptability help them make the best use of existing resources, achieving the highest efficiency in their work.
3. Traditional and modern perspectives
Vietnamese people have many interesting cultural aspects, the most prominent of which are respect for people, especially older people, and hierarchy in the family and society.
- Hierarchy in the family is formed from kinship relationships and has been maintained for many generations.
- Hierarchy in society is based on recognizing individual contributions to the community.
Although not mentioned often, Confucianism still profoundly influences Vietnamese life, reflected in traditional values.
However, the younger generation’s mark of globalization is increasingly evident. Most of them speak English and are proficient in social media and technology.
In particular, Generation Z (born in 1995 and later) is gradually changing its concept of work – they seek a balance between work and life instead of working hard like their previous generations.
This is a transition period between tradition and modernity. Therefore, on every trip to Vietnam, you will feel the mixture of the old and the new, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Hai Phong, where the explosion of the Internet and technology was early.
4. Daily life of Vietnamese people: A realistic view of Vietnam
Life in Vietnam today has various cultural colors, creating diversity everywhere.
Here are some groups of people you can easily encounter in daily life:
4.1. A day in the life of a Vietnamese student
6:30 am: A new day begins!
Students quickly wake up, prepare a simple breakfast – maybe a crispy loaf of bread, a hot package of sticky rice, or a bowl of fragrant pho – and then rush to school.
In the city, many children are taken by their parents on motorbikes. At the same time, in the countryside, the image of groups of students cycling on village roads becomes familiar.
7:00 am: The official school day begins.
Each lesson lasts about 45 minutes, with a break of 5 to 15 minutes. During recess, students can chat with friends, snack on snacks such as mixed rice paper and spicy rice cakes, or drink cool milk tea.
11:00 am: After the morning class, many students are picked up by their parents to go home.
However, in some schools – especially private kindergartens and primary schools – students study all day, including lunch and afternoon.
11:00 – 1:00 pm: This is lunch and break time.
Students usually eat at home for half-day sections or in the school canteen for entire days. In high-quality private schools in the city, meals are often guaranteed to be nutritious and have a rich menu.
However, in many schools in rural and mountainous areas, where conditions are limited, students’ lunches may be simpler, mainly rice with vegetables and a little meat or fish.
1:00 pm: Afternoon classes begin, lasting about 3-4 hours.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: School ends!
For students who study all day, school usually ends at 4 pm, but in some schools with two-session classes, classes may end at 5 pm.
After school, many students attend extra classes or sports clubs or go home to do homework before enjoying their free time in the evening.
9:00 – 11:00 pm is the time to get ready for bed.
Preschoolers and elementary school students usually go to bed early, around 9 pm. However, middle and high school students often stay up late, many of whom may study or entertain themselves until 11 pm before bed.
In general, Vietnamese students have busy schedules, but besides studying, they still have time to play, chat online, watch movies, or hang out with friends. This is also an indispensable part of modern life for young Vietnamese people.
4.2. A day in the life of a worker
Workers’ schedules often overlap with students’. According to state regulations, basic working hours are 8 hours, from 7 am to 5 pm, with a lunch break from 11 am to 1:00 pm.
A typical day’s schedule for common workers:
6:00 am: Wake up, take care of personal hygiene, prepare breakfast, and take care of children (if you have a family).
6:30 – 6:45 am: Get on a motorbike and weave through traffic to work. Some companies far from the city center have shuttle buses to pick up and drop off employees.
7:00 am: Start the workday. Some people take the opportunity to sip a cup of coffee before going to work, especially if the company starts later than 7:30 or 8:00 am.
11:00 am– 1:00 pm: Lunch and meal break. Street food is popular for many workers who live far from home because it is quick and convenient. After lunch, they often drink coffee, check TikTok, or find a place in the company to take a nap for a few minutes.
1:00 – 5:00 pm: Continue working as usual.
5:00 pm: Finish work. Those with young children often go to school to pick them up, while others spend time relaxing or working extra.
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Bedtime for workers. Most workers go to bed around 9 pm – 10 pm. However, in big cities with a thriving nightlife or tourism industry, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Nha Trang, life is still bustling until late at night.
In general, workers live according to a fixed schedule every day. For those with children, balancing work and childcare makes life more hectic at the modern pace.
4.3. A day for the elderly
Life is leisurely for those aged 60 and over but still have familiar daily activities.
5:00 – 5:30 am: Wake up and exercise.
In the countryside, in winter, many people have the habit of lighting a stove and boiling water to make hot tea to warm their bodies before going out.
In the city, older people often exercise in groups in the neighborhood, parks, or around Hoan Kiem Lake, creating a bustling scene in the early morning mist.
7:00 am: Have breakfast and socialize. They can sip a cup of tea or coffee together, chatting animatedly about life.
8:00 am: Some people go to the market and prepare lunch, while others stay home to take care of their grandchildren.
10:00 – 1:00 pm: Cook, eat, and take a nap.
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Enjoy their time as they like.
Some people read books, watch the news, and chat with friends, while others go to the temple to pray to Buddha to find peace of mind.
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Older adults in Vietnam often go to bed early.
Older adults in Vietnam often go to bed early. At 8 pm, many places in the countryside are quiet, and there is no more noise. Meanwhile, older people in the city can sleep a little later, around 9 pm.
The life of the elderly is simple but still meaningful, with small joys shared with friends, family, and familiar habits.
5. How Vietnamese people communicate
Vietnamese people have their own way of communicating and behaving, creating unique features for international tourists.
5.1. Greetings – Common ways to show politeness:
- Unlike in other countries, Vietnamese people do not greet each other with “Good morning!” “Good afternoon!” or “Good evening!” Instead, they often say, “Hello!”
- To show politeness, add a title or name, for example: “Hello brother/sister/brother/aunt!” or “Hello Hung/Ngoc!”
- When meeting again after a while, they can say: “Long time no see!” or more intimately: “Long time, long time!”
- In addition to words, Vietnamese people often shake hands and bow slightly to show respect when greeting.
5.2. Communication style
Vietnamese people often use euphemisms or indirect ways to show politeness, which can make the conversation take a long time to start.
In business meetings, people spend a lot of time on small talk that is not directly related to work. It is also a way to better understand each other about life and thoughts outside of work.
Vietnamese culture has a saying, “A piece of betel leaves for the beginning of a conversation,” which shows an indirect way of starting a conversation.
Nowadays, instead of a piece of betel leaves like in the past, the locals often start a conversation with a cup of coffee or tea before getting to the main content.
If you are a tourist, don’t be surprised when locals start a conversation with you with sentences like: “You are so handsome/pretty!”, “Is the food delicious?” or “Do you drink coffee, too?”. That is a sign that they want to talk to you. If you are friendly and open-minded, don’t hesitate to connect – it can be an excellent opportunity to socialize!
5.3. Gift giving in Vietnamese culture
The habit of giving gifts to each other of all ages and in many different situations has become the beauty of Vietnamese people.
In the countryside, gifts are often simple but meaningful, such as sweet potatoes, bitter melons, or tomatoes – all from the home garden.
In the city, people often give small gifts to show their care, such as a rose for a lover, some chocolate bars for children, or some fruit and cakes when visiting a friend’s house.
Money is often used instead of gifts on important occasions such as weddings or housewarmings. This is considered a way to contribute to helping the young couple build their future or support the homeowner in covering the costs of the parties.
However, you need to be careful when giving gifts to people working in government agencies. A great value gift can be misunderstood as a bribe and cause trouble.
Therefore, gift-giving is often favored in families between close friends and relatives. It is always the best way to show concern and emotional connection.
6. Vietnamese people’s future aspirations
6.1. Aspiration for innovation and education
The Vietnamese always nurture the dream of a bright future. This is demonstrated through hard work, a progressive spirit, and the ability to access new technology, especially among young people. They constantly strive to develop themselves and contribute to the country’s progress.
Internet technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are being strongly embraced, reflecting the Vietnamese people’s great aspiration to connect with the world and constantly innovate.
Education is also one of the top priorities. Parents are willing to invest heavily in their children’s education, hoping the next generation will have a better life thanks to new knowledge.
Since then, the spirit of respecting teachers has become a cultural beauty, expressed through proverbs such as: “Without a teacher, you cannot succeed” or “If you want to cross the river, build a bridge; if you want your children to study well, love the teacher.”
Therefore, November 20th is chosen every year as Vietnamese Teachers’ Day – an occasion to show gratitude to teachers and honor those who have devoted themselves to the cause of education.
6.2. Desire to get rich
The entrepreneurial spirit spreads throughout Vietnam, from bustling cities to peaceful villages. Small business models, including private shops, restaurants, hotels, spas, and grocery stores, are easily found everywhere.
Notably, on crowded streets, the ground floors of most houses are used for trading. People trade all kinds of goods, from clothes and shoes to luxury items such as high-end watches and jewelry.
This reflects the strong desire of Vietnamese people to get rich. Not only do they want to improve their personal lives, but they also contribute to creating jobs and promoting the development of the private economy, affirming the spirit of autonomy in business.
6.3. Future aspirations
For many Vietnamese born before 1995 (before Generation Z), success is often assessed through material assets, such as owning many houses, expensive cars, or a large company.
Although there is no specific research, Generation Z’s job search trend shows a different perspective on success. They prioritize jobs that match their abilities and interests and are willing to quit if they feel too tired or unmotivated. This is significantly different from previous generations, who are willing to work tirelessly and sometimes accept trading off work-life balance for wealth.
Although it is too early to confirm which approach is better, the mindset of work-life balance is becoming increasingly popular among young Vietnamese people.
With flexibility and agility, Generation Z will hopefully bring positive changes, creating momentum to boost the economy and open up a promising future.
7. FAQs about the Vietnamese people
7.1. Common Physical Characteristics of Vietnamese People
Vietnamese people generally have a slim physique, with an average height of:
- Women: Around 160 cm
- Men: Around 165-170 cm
Their skin tones range from light yellow to tan, and they are often affected by sun exposure. While tanned skin is common, fair skin is highly valued, especially among women, who often take extra care to maintain a lighter complexion.
7.2. What Do Vietnamese People Eat Daily?
Rice is a staple in Vietnamese meals, and the country produces and exports it significantly. It can be eaten plain or made into other popular foods like vermicelli and pho. However, vermicelli and pho are not everyday family meals—they are usually enjoyed as unique dishes, often for breakfast.
A typical family meal includes rice, a vegetable soup, and a main dish like braised meat or fish.
7.3. Are Vietnamese People Humorous?
It depends on the situation and profession. Manual workers tend to be very humorous, using jokes to relieve stress. On the other hand, office workers and government employees are usually severe, especially in professional settings. If you’re handling paperwork or official matters, it’s best to avoid making jokes.
7.4. Do Vietnamese People Pry Into Private Lives?
Yes, it’s common for Vietnamese people to ask personal questions, such as:
- How old are you?
- Are you married?
- What’s your job and salary?
- How many children do you have?
They often see these questions as a way of showing care and curiosity rather than being intrusive. If you prefer not to answer, a polite smile and a vague response can help you avoid the topic. You can also say, “That’s personal,” with a lighthearted laugh to signal your boundaries.
7.5. Is It Easy to Make Friends with a Vietnamese Person?
Yes! Vietnamese people are warm and hospitable, making it easy to form friendships. Sometimes, sharing a drink or a meal is enough to start a lasting bond.
However, be mindful of relationships that develop too quickly or seem too good to be true—they could be a sign of a scam. It’s always best to stay cautious while embracing new friendships.
8. Lasting thoughts
The Vietnamese people are famous for their warmth and hospitality. They are always ready to welcome international visitors to explore the country’s natural beauty, culture, and people.
Meeting local people and Vietnamese families or accompanying a local tour guide will help you better understand native life and people.
Instead of visiting popular tourist attractions or eating at tourist restaurants, try walking around the less-known streets or exploring the peaceful countryside. Visit local eateries, observe how people cook, and enjoy traditional dishes – you will love Vietnamese culture even more.
If you can visit Hue City, do not miss the Hue Street Food Tour to discover famous local restaurants and enjoy unique dishes that are hard to find in other cities.
We are always ready to support you. Let us know when you come to Vietnam or visit Hue!
