GIFT-GIVING CUSTOMS IN VIETNAM

Gift giving is important in Vietnam because of the significance of interpersonal relationships in Vietnamese culture.

First and foremost, do not encourage corruption. There is a clear cut between gift-giving and bribery. Nevertheless, it is common in Vietnam for exchanging small gifts on certain occasions such as anniversary, Tet holiday... to express your respect, love, appreciation or gratitude.

Gift-giving customs depend on the context. If it is a private gift for one Vietnamese partner you should give the gift on a private occasion. If you have a gift for the whole office or company, you should give it after the business meeting with the whole office's employee.

Do not wrap a gift in black paper because this colour is unlucky and associated with funerals in Vietnam. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship.

Vietnamese may or may not open these gifts when they are received; leave the option to them. You will also receive gifts and should defer to your host as to whether you should open them when received or not. Regardless of when it is opened or what it is, profuse thanks are always appropriate.

GIFT-GIVING CUSTOMS IN VIETNAM

Gift giving is important in Vietnam because of the significance of interpersonal relationships in Vietnamese culture.

First and foremost, do not encourage corruption. There is a clear cut between gift-giving and bribery. Nevertheless, it is common in Vietnam for exchanging small gifts on certain occasions such as anniversary, Tet holiday... to express your respect, love, appreciation or gratitude.

Gift-giving customs depend on the context. If it is a private gift for one Vietnamese partner you should give the gift on a private occasion. If you have a gift for the whole office or company, you should give it after the business meeting with the whole office's employee.

Do not wrap a gift in black paper because this colour is unlucky and associated with funerals in Vietnam. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship.

Vietnamese may or may not open these gifts when they are received; leave the option to them. You will also receive gifts and should defer to your host as to whether you should open them when received or not. Regardless of when it is opened or what it is, profuse thanks are always appropriate.

GIFT-GIVING CUSTOMS IN VIETNAM

Gift giving is important in Vietnam because of the significance of interpersonal relationships in Vietnamese culture.

First and foremost, do not encourage corruption. There is a clear cut between gift-giving and bribery. Nevertheless, it is common in Vietnam for exchanging small gifts on certain occasions such as anniversary, Tet holiday... to express your respect, love, appreciation or gratitude.

Gift-giving customs depend on the context. If it is a private gift for one Vietnamese partner you should give the gift on a private occasion. If you have a gift for the whole office or company, you should give it after the business meeting with the whole office's employee.

Do not wrap a gift in black paper because this colour is unlucky and associated with funerals in Vietnam. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship.

Vietnamese may or may not open these gifts when they are received; leave the option to them. You will also receive gifts and should defer to your host as to whether you should open them when received or not. Regardless of when it is opened or what it is, profuse thanks are always appropriate.

GIFT-GIVING CUSTOMS IN VIETNAM

Gift giving is important in Vietnam because of the significance of interpersonal relationships in Vietnamese culture.

First and foremost, do not encourage corruption. There is a clear cut between gift-giving and bribery. Nevertheless, it is common in Vietnam for exchanging small gifts on certain occasions such as anniversary, Tet holiday... to express your respect, love, appreciation or gratitude.

Gift-giving customs depend on the context. If it is a private gift for one Vietnamese partner you should give the gift on a private occasion. If you have a gift for the whole office or company, you should give it after the business meeting with the whole office's employee.

Do not wrap a gift in black paper because this colour is unlucky and associated with funerals in Vietnam. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship.

Vietnamese may or may not open these gifts when they are received; leave the option to them. You will also receive gifts and should defer to your host as to whether you should open them when received or not. Regardless of when it is opened or what it is, profuse thanks are always appropriate.

GIFT-GIVING CUSTOMS IN VIETNAM

Gift giving is important in Vietnam because of the significance of interpersonal relationships in Vietnamese culture.

First and foremost, do not encourage corruption. There is a clear cut between gift-giving and bribery. Nevertheless, it is common in Vietnam for exchanging small gifts on certain occasions such as anniversary, Tet holiday... to express your respect, love, appreciation or gratitude.

Gift-giving customs depend on the context. If it is a private gift for one Vietnamese partner you should give the gift on a private occasion. If you have a gift for the whole office or company, you should give it after the business meeting with the whole office's employee.

Do not wrap a gift in black paper because this colour is unlucky and associated with funerals in Vietnam. Gifts that symbolize cutting such as scissors, knives and other sharp objects should be avoided because they mean the cutting of the relationship.

Vietnamese may or may not open these gifts when they are received; leave the option to them. You will also receive gifts and should defer to your host as to whether you should open them when received or not. Regardless of when it is opened or what it is, profuse thanks are always appropriate.

In Japan, take off your shoes at the entrance to all homes, and most businesses and hotels. Usually, a rack will be provided to store your shoes, and a pair of guest slippers will be put nearby; many Japanese bring a pair of indoor slippers just in case, though.

Never wear slippers when you need to step onto a tatami mat (used in most Japanese homes and hotels) and be careful to remove the toilet slippers waiting for you in the bathroom. It is extremely bad form, for example, to reenter the main room of a house wearing slippers that have been running across a dirty area.

Unlike in western cultures, the Japanese bath is used after you have washed and rinsed and feel like soaking in extra-hot water for 10, 20, 30 minutes. If you happen to be invited into a Japanese household, you will be given the honour of using the bath first, usually before dinner. Be extra careful so as not to dirty the water in any way because of its importance.

Marriage and family are very important in Viet Nam. In the countryside, parents often arrange marriages; divorce remains uncommon, though is more frequent in cities. In traditional Vietnamese families, roles are rigid. The man of the house is primarily responsible for the family's economic well-being. Older children help to look after younger siblings. Discipline is viewed as a parental duty.

The woman of the house looks after her parents, husband and children. In rural areas, women also do much agricultural work. Vietnamese women live by the "four virtues”: hard work, beauty, refined speech and excellent conduct.

The Vietnamese attach great importance to two traditional family obligations: to care for their parents in their old age and to worship them after death. In each Vietnamese family, there is at least one altar on which there are pictures of their ancestors. Family members worship their ancestors because they think parents after death will go to live in another world and this altar is the place where the ancestors' souls live in. As a result, every day Vietnamese people lay flowers or sometimes fruits on the altar for the belief that those ancestors will enjoy them.

Marriage and family are very important in Viet Nam. In the countryside, parents often arrange marriages; divorce remains uncommon, though is more frequent in cities. In traditional Vietnamese families, roles are rigid. The man of the house is primarily responsible for the family's economic well-being. Older children help to look after younger siblings. Discipline is viewed as a parental duty.

The woman of the house looks after her parents, husband and children. In rural areas, women also do much agricultural work. Vietnamese women live by the "four virtues”: hard work, beauty, refined speech and excellent conduct.

The Vietnamese attach great importance to two traditional family obligations: to care for their parents in their old age and to worship them after death. In each Vietnamese family, there is at least one altar on which there are pictures of their ancestors. Family members worship their ancestors because they think parents after death will go to live in another world and this altar is the place where the ancestors' souls live in. As a result, every day Vietnamese people lay flowers or sometimes fruits on the altar for the belief that those ancestors will enjoy them.

When they (1)_______ you a gift, the Vietnamese will usually speak lightly about it. Even though it is an expensive gift, they may pretend it is of no great monetary value.

(2) _______ 4,000 years of civilization, the Vietnamese are proud people who like to recite to a myth that they are descendants of an angel and a dragon.

If you happen to be in their homes at mealtime, the Vietnamese will probably (3)_________ you to sit down and share whatever food is available. Let them know that you enjoy their food is one way to successfully (4) ________ a better relationship with them.

When they invite you to their homes for a meal, celebration, or special occasion, some (5) ________ - usually food, fruits, chocolate or liquors - should be offered to the host's family.

When they (1)_______ you a gift, the Vietnamese will usually speak lightly about it. Even though it is an expensive gift, they may pretend it is of no great monetary value.

(2) _______ 4,000 years of civilization, the Vietnamese are proud people who like to recite to a myth that they are descendants of an angel and a dragon.

If you happen to be in their homes at mealtime, the Vietnamese will probably (3)_________ you to sit down and share whatever food is available. Let them know that you enjoy their food is one way to successfully (4) ________ a better relationship with them.

When they invite you to their homes for a meal, celebration, or special occasion, some (5) ________ - usually food, fruits, chocolate or liquors - should be offered to the host's family.

When they (1)_______ you a gift, the Vietnamese will usually speak lightly about it. Even though it is an expensive gift, they may pretend it is of no great monetary value.

(2) _______ 4,000 years of civilization, the Vietnamese are proud people who like to recite to a myth that they are descendants of an angel and a dragon.

If you happen to be in their homes at mealtime, the Vietnamese will probably (3)_________ you to sit down and share whatever food is available. Let them know that you enjoy their food is one way to successfully (4) ________ a better relationship with them.

When they invite you to their homes for a meal, celebration, or special occasion, some (5) ________ - usually food, fruits, chocolate or liquors - should be offered to the host's family.

When they (1)_______ you a gift, the Vietnamese will usually speak lightly about it. Even though it is an expensive gift, they may pretend it is of no great monetary value.

(2) _______ 4,000 years of civilization, the Vietnamese are proud people who like to recite to a myth that they are descendants of an angel and a dragon.

If you happen to be in their homes at mealtime, the Vietnamese will probably (3)_________ you to sit down and share whatever food is available. Let them know that you enjoy their food is one way to successfully (4) ________ a better relationship with them.

When they invite you to their homes for a meal, celebration, or special occasion, some (5) ________ - usually food, fruits, chocolate or liquors - should be offered to the host's family.

When they (1)_______ you a gift, the Vietnamese will usually speak lightly about it. Even though it is an expensive gift, they may pretend it is of no great monetary value.

(2) _______ 4,000 years of civilization, the Vietnamese are proud people who like to recite to a myth that they are descendants of an angel and a dragon.

If you happen to be in their homes at mealtime, the Vietnamese will probably (3)_________ you to sit down and share whatever food is available. Let them know that you enjoy their food is one way to successfully (4) ________ a better relationship with them.

When they invite you to their homes for a meal, celebration, or special occasion, some (5) ________ - usually food, fruits, chocolate or liquors - should be offered to the host's family.