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Non-Verbal Greetings

• It is polite to stand up and greet those you respect, especially if they are older.
• People should be greeted in order of age, with the oldest person being acknowledged first.
• If someone doesn’t initiate a greeting, it may be because they are older and waiting for you to greet them first.
• Men typically greet one another with a handshake accompanied by a small nod.
• In formal situations, people may shake with both hands to show respect, placing the left hand on top of the handshake.
• Women typically greet others with a brief bow or polite nod of acknowledgement. It is best to wait for a woman to extend her hand first before offering a handshake.
• In cities, younger Vietnamese often shake hands with people of both genders.
• Lower your gaze when greeting someone older or of higher status. If they do not extend their hand, bow respectfully instead of offering a handshake. This is also the appropriate greeting for Buddhist monks and nuns.¹
• Bowing the head during greetings is a sign of deference and respect. The bow should come from the shoulders and be deeper for those of higher status.
• People in rural areas of Vietnam may greet each other with a traditional bow, clasping their hands above the waist.
• Hugging is usually reserved for close friends or relatives.

Verbal Greetings

• Vietnamese people typically address each other using the person’s given name combined with an honorific title. This is the appropriate form of address for both formal and informal greetings. The specific pronoun used is usually a term of familial kinship determined by the age, gender, and social status of the person being addressed. See Addressing Others in Naming for more information.
• People often ask “Bao nhiêu tuổi?” (‘How old are you?’) when first meeting someone. This is not considered rude, as knowing the age helps to use the correct pronouns.
• The most common and polite greeting is “Xin chào” (‘Hello’), which can be used to greet people of any status.
• It is common to get someone’s attention by saying “O’i” (Hey). This is a perfectly polite way to beckon someone over or greet someone casually in Vietnam.
• After initial greetings, it is common to ask “Khỏe không?” (‘Are you healthy?’), which is similar to asking ‘How are you?’.
• Questions about someone’s family are appreciated during or after introductions.