Greetings

Here are some tips that you should know when you visit Vietnam or meet vietnamese:

1. In Vietnam they don’t shake hands with the opposite sex. Or with with the old people or women unless they offer their hand first.

2. To show more respect Vietnam people slightly bow the head and/or put the hands in front of the chest.

3. Vietnamese women are more tendency to bow their head slightly than to shake hands. (Even with other women)

4. They never exchange cheek-kisses.

5. Waving hand motions are only used by adults to call little children, not to say hello or call someone over

6. The Vietnamese people greet the head of a family or an older person first, then the younger ones.

Chào anh Hello

Chị khỏe không? How are you?

Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn I'm fine, thank you.

Tôi tên Tanja My name is Tanja.

Hân hạnh được biết chị Nice to meet you.

Tạm biệt Goodbye

Anh có nói tiếng Anh không? Do you speak English?

Có, tôi nói tiếng Anh. Yes, I speak English.

Không, tôi không nói tiếng Anh. No,I don't speak English.

These are some words that may be used in the first meeting, and also you can listen to Vietnamese sentences by clicking on the play button.

When greeting someone, say “xin chao” (seen chow).

The Vietnamese are delighted if a Westerner can properly say “xin chao”