5 cultural differences TEFL teachers need to know about Vietnam

A perennially popular TEFL destination, Vietnam is a fascinating country to live and work in. Featuring both colossal cities and beautiful countryside, fascinating history and modernist fashion, the contrasts of Vietnam make it an adventurer’s dream. As futuristic as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are in places, there’s also immense respect for the distant past - must-see attractions include the Temple of Literature, built in 1070, and the Imperial City.

From a teaching perspective, Vietnam has a lot to offer. The demand for English teachers is significant, the salaries can be considerable, and the cost of living is relatively low. Thousands of TEFL teachers move to Vietnam every year, finding the adventure they craved, but also friendly communities of teachers from all over the world. 

Before these TEFL teachers move, however, what should they know about life in Vietnam? What cultural differences and etiquette rules are vital to understand before you head over?

Well, like we did for Japan and South Korea , we’re going to tell you about the 5 biggest cultural differences you’ll need to get used to in Vietnam, so you can settle in and thrive in one of the most popular English teaching destinations on the planet.

1. Chopstick rules

Like anywhere you’ll travel to, the discourse around dinner time is hotly debated and particular to every country. Vietnam has its own rules and traditions, and they’re essential to fitting in. 

Firstly, before we get to the specifics of chopstick use, this is crucial: it’s really offensive to leave anything on your plate. Whether you’re in a restaurant or someone’s home, leaving food uneaten is disrespectful.

Now, onto the chopsticks themselves. Don’t leave your chopstick pointing straight upwards. Why? Well, chopsticks resemble incense sticks , which are burned during funerals. Clearly, evoking funerals during meals is offensive. 

While you’re holding your chopsticks, it can be seen as rude or dismissive to “play” with them, hitting the table or clicking your bowl. Also, finishing your meal with your chopsticks left in a ‘V’ shape can be seen as a bad omen.

Again, like everywhere else, eating etiquette is important. Learn the basics, and your hosts will be grateful. 

2. Students take education seriously

Now, this isn’t to say that people around the world, from all walks of life, don’t take education seriously. Nor is it to say that Vietnamese people can’t relax and have a laugh - more on that later. When it comes to education, though, Vietnamese students don’t mess about.

When you’re teaching English in Vietnam , expect your students to work hard . English language proficiency is immensely valuable and it’s a compulsory subject in schools. There’s a robust tourism sector in Vietnam and so English can provide career opportunities and it can lead to study in English-language educational institutions around the world. 

Schooling is incredibly competitive, and kids in Vietnam have considerable workloads. Your instinct might be to express surprise at their schedule - the additional English classes in the evenings, the extra-curricular activities, the early starts and late finishes, but it’s more respectful if you don’t. For getting into higher education, all of these endeavours are crucial.

Parents will also have high expectations for their children and you, as their teacher. So, when you’re in the classroom, it’s all business. 

3. Vietnamese people have a great sense of humour

So far, you might’ve got a sense - through chopsticks and education - that Vietnamese people are very straight-laced and humourless. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Though saving face is important, and not humiliating others is important, some things are just funny. If someone trips over, for example, expect a Vietnamese person to laugh. Everyday slapstick antics are a source of great humour in Vietnam, and people are expected to be able to have a laugh at themselves in the right circumstances.

The Vietnamese style of humour is quite frank, even though they’re not the most confrontational people. As long as your jokes don’t cross a boundary into being too personal, you’re expected to have a joke with colleagues, friends and even strangers in Vietnam.

4. That said…

There are some subjects that Vietnamese people won’t joke about, and there is etiquette to be observed around military matters.

For one thing, don’t joke about the Vietnam War . A brutal, drawn-out conflict, there really isn’t any humour to be mined from this, nor the years of French colonial rule. Especially, that is, if you’re not from Vietnam. Now, this seems pretty obvious, but there are modern applications to this unwritten rule that you need to know about.

You’ll likely see military installations, representations of political figures and the like while you travel around Vietnam. Around the world, war memorials and statues to prominent historical figures are, of course, common. Generally, though, we’d advise you don’t take any photos, especially of representations of Ho Chi Minh or General Vo Nguyen Ap . Usually, there’ll be a sign telling you photos are prohibited for certain monuments, but it’s best not to take pictures anyway.

5. Body cues

We’ll finish our cultural guide to Vietnam with some important body cues:

• When you point, use your entire hand: it’s considered especially rude to point using a single finger
• Take your shoes off: before you enter someone’s house or a temple, take your shoes off. Public buildings will have specific instructions, but in terms of people’s homes, it’s expected that you do this.
• Keeping your shoulders covered is the norm: in general, people dress very modestly in Vietnam. 
• Don’t touch anyone on the head: the head is considered the sacred point of someone’s body . This is called ‘Kwan’, and is a tenet of Buddhism.
• PDA is a no-no : The phrase “get a room!” is very 90s, but it applies here. Kissing in public is seen as very disrespectful to those around you.

Now you’re ready!

Vietnam really is a fascinating, beautiful country, and a fantastic place for TEFL teachers to find jobs . Though its etiquette rules can make it appear a little stuffy from an outsider’s perspective, its reverence for tradition is matched with a great deal of levity and a real desire to avoid confrontation. Essentially, nobody wants to have any issue with you, and they want you to feel welcome!

Knowing the basics goes a long, long way. We’ve met teachers who’ve thrived in Vietnam , and though it can take a while to adjust, there are plenty of TEFL teachers who never want to live anywhere else. 

If you’re interested in teaching English in Asia more broadly, read our comprehensive guide !

Interested in teaching English in Vietnam, Japan, South Korea or from the comfort of your own home? Start a TEFL course today with the most accredited provider on the planet!