Greeting

In Vietnam, handshakes are the most common way to greet someone, mainly between men. If you're introduced to a woman, wait to see if she offers her hand first. If she doesn't, a polite nod in her direction is the right move.

Women visiting Vietnam for business should remember that local men usually won't initiate a handshake—it's just not part of their culture.

If you're meeting a group of Vietnamese colleagues, start by greeting the person with the highest rank or position. It’s a sign of respect and shows you understand local customs.

Status is important in Vietnamese business culture. A person’s role, seniority, or age can affect things like who gets greeted first or who enters a meeting room first.

During a handshake, a Vietnamese businessman might place his left hand on top of your right hand and give a gentle shake. It’s a sign that he really values the chance to meet or work with you.

As your relationship grows and becomes more friendly, don’t be surprised if greetings become warmer—like a quick hug or an air kiss (cheek-to-cheek, without actually touching).

Introduction

Vietnamese names usually have several parts. For example: Nguyen Thi Yen Thu. The family name comes first—in this case, Nguyen. Thi is a common middle name that typically indicates the person is female. Yen Thu is the given name, which can be one or two words. People are usually addressed by the last part of their given name—so, in this case, Thu.

The male equivalent of Thi is Van. For example: Vu Van Viet Hung. In this case, Hung is usually the name you’d use when addressing him. That said, it’s not a strict rule—sometimes Vietnamese people prefer to be called by both parts of their given name, especially if it’s a common one like Anh, which can be male or female.

In Vietnamese business culture, it’s respectful to use professional titles or positions during conversations—if the person has one. Otherwise, English titles like Mr, Mrs, or Miss are used, usually with the given name, not the family name. So, you’d say Mr Hung or Mrs Thu, not Mrs Nguyen or Mr Vu. If Mr Hung is a director, for example, you’d say Mr Director Hung.

Women in Vietnam usually keep their maiden names after marriage. So, if Nguyen Thi Minh Khai marries Ngo Van Hung, her name stays Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. When addressing her formally, you'd say Mrs Khai.

Exchange of Business Cards

Exchanging business cards is an important part of introductions and networking in Vietnam. Besides your name, job title, company name, and contact details, it’s also common to include any academic degrees, professional titles, or honors you may have.

It’s a good idea to have your business cards printed in two languages—your native language (or English) on one side, and Vietnamese on the other. This shows respect for your Vietnamese counterpart and helps avoid any confusion, especially around job titles or other positions.

When giving someone your business card, hold it with both hands, with the Vietnamese side facing up. When receiving a card, also take it with both hands, take a moment to look at it carefully, and then either place it neatly on the table in front of you or put it into a business card holder.

Small Talk: Overview

Building and maintaining relationships is important in Vietnamese business culture—especially when it comes to working with foreign partners. So, don’t rush through the small talk. Taking time for casual conversation shows that you value the relationship.

Vietnamese people generally don’t draw a sharp line between personal and professional life like people often do in the U.S. or parts of Europe. So asking about someone’s health or their family is seen as a kind and respectful gesture, not as prying.

Don’t be surprised—or offended—if your Vietnamese colleague asks you something like where you were yesterday or how old you are. Even comments that might feel a bit personal are usually just friendly curiosity, not meant to cross boundaries.

During conversations, Vietnamese people use body language and gestures quite sparingly. Showing strong emotions or being too expressive in a business setting isn’t usually encouraged.

Preferred Topics

Family – and by that, it usually means the extended family, including relatives and even close family friends.

Mutual acquaintances, if you have any – always a good connection point.

Hobbies, personal interests, and travel – people enjoy talking about what they like to do outside of work.

Local cuisine – food is a great topic and often leads to warm, engaging conversations.

Current events and daily news.

Taboo Topics

Politics is the number one sensitive topic—best to steer clear of it altogether.

Insulting or making negative remarks about others, even in a subtle or joking way, is not appreciated.

Criticizing the Vietnamese government or the Communist Party, especially in front of your Vietnamese colleagues, is a major no-no and can be taken very badly.

Personal Space

During conversations, people—both men and women—typically stand about an arm’s length apart.

In general, physical contact or touching (other than a handshake) isn’t really welcomed or appropriate.

Communication Specifics

In Vietnamese culture, the concept of "face" (also “losing face” or “saving face”) is very important. "Face" refers to a person's reputation, public image, and how they’re perceived by others. Someone can "lose face" if they’re criticized, contradicted, or embarrassed in front of others.

For many Vietnamese people, especially those from the north, maintaining their own face and helping others save face is a key part of communication. They always try to avoid open conflict. That’s why they tend to speak carefully, stick to neutral language, and may talk “around” a topic rather than address it directly. Southern Vietnamese tend to be a bit more direct in their communication.

When interacting with Vietnamese partners, it’s important to pay close attention to verbal and nonverbal cues. One example is the word “Yes.” In Vietnamese conversation, "yes" often means "I understand" or "I am listening", rather than “I agree” or “I will do it.” Because of the importance of saving face, your counterpart might avoid saying "No" directly—even if they don’t actually agree.

As you build business relationships, keep these communication nuances in mind. If you’re in a sensitive situation or unsure about someone’s real position, it can be helpful to “revisit the topic later”, maybe rephrasing the question or coming at it from a different angle.

It’s not just individuals who have face—companies do too. Negative comments or bad press about a company can damage its reputation. So even when talking about competitors, it’s best to avoid saying anything that could come across as disrespectful or damaging.

Compliments, praise, and respectful remarks help create a positive image and support the company’s “face”.

People in northern Vietnam generally place a stronger emphasis on building close relationships as part of doing business. Southerners, while also valuing relationships, are typically more practical and straightforward in their approach.