9 Cultural Etiquette in Hanoi: Do’s and Don’ts for Foreign Visitors

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is known for its food, culture and the people. Cultural Etiquette in Hanoi is essential to Vietnam tourism has skyrocketed and during the first six months of 2025, the tourist count visiting Hanoi reached approximately 15 million. It is increasing about 10% every year.

If you are also looking forward to visit this beautiful city, here are some basics that can make your travel smooth and better.

9 Cultural Etiquette in Hanoi

1. Dress modestly at temples and pagodas

   During your visit to temples and pagodas, don’t wear a short dress that exposes your legs or chest as it shows disrespect to their culture and considered inappropriate in sacred places. While the younger generation may be more chill about the dress but older generation remain traditional and may view revealing dress as disrespect. Wearing modest dress not only shows cultural sensitivity but also appreciates your effort to care about their traditions.

   Also read: Is Hanoi a Good Place to Live

2. Respect Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

   It sounds absurd to some people but Vietnamese culture has huge respect to their national leader Ho Chi Minh who played a pivotal role in the independence of Vietnam. Younger generation refer Ho Chi Minh as Uncle Ho. Taking photos or talking loudly inside the Mausoleum is not allowed and seen as highly disrespectful. So, Dress well and follow the instructions of the security guards. It will show your respect towards Vietnamese history.

3. Use both hands

   In Vietnamese culture giving and receiving with both hands whether its money or gift or anything else is a sign of respect. When you are in a market and buying something, giving the money with both hands and receiving the product with both hands will show a kind of respect to their culture. It is also a sign of active person so giving and receiving with both hands show how attentive you are. While locals may not always expect foreigners to follow these customs but doing so will surprise them and they will definitely appreciate your efforts.

4. Greeting with bow or handshake

   Whenever you are in Hanoi and meeting with the Vietnamese people that is similar to your age then a handshake is fine but if you are greeting an elder person in Hanoi, a slight bow accompanied by “Xin chào” (hello) communicates respect and openness to their cultural traditions. Vietnamese don’t like to display affection publicly like kissing or hugging. Try to respect their culture and avoid such contact with your partner publicly. While modern cities like HCM may be more chill due to modern influence. But in Hanoi it is not normal to kiss or hug in public.

5. Remove shoes while entering pagodas and local houses

   Taking off shoes while entering homes and temples is a norm in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is a display of respect to their culture. Vietnamese people mostly keep their altars on the ground level so ignoring them or stepping on them is a huge disrespect. But in hotels and public building, it is acceptable to wear shoes. So, always remove your shoes when entering local’s home or pagoda unless you are told otherwise.

6. Respect their festivals

   TET is a festival that marks the arrival of spring and Lunar New Year. It holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning to Vietnamese. On this festival Vietnamese clean their houses symbolizes removing bad luck from the previous year. They also pray for their ancestors and visit their families and friends often living in countryside.

7. Don’t take photographs without taking permission

   Hanoi is so picturesque but taking photo of Vietnamese people without asking is an invasion of privacy, especially elders, street vendors or locals at work. So, asking before clicking photo won’t violate the privacy. In suburbs of Hanoi, people may not be comfortable.

8. Learn proper greeting in Vietnamese language

   In Hanoi’s touristy places, English is spoken by most people but older generations and street vendors may not be that much comfortable, so it can be a little tricky while shopping or buying something. Learning a few Vietnamese phrases will give you edge to explore Hanoi the better way. Learning how to count in Vietnamese will helps you to bargain better. Practicing with right pronunciation to say “Xin chào” (hello), “Cảm ơn” (thank you), or “Tạm biệt” (goodbye) show your efforts, which locals truly appreciate.

9. Tip wisely, it will make a real difference

   Tipping is common in touristy places but not if you are exploring Hanoi suburbs or off-the-beaten-path. Giving tip for their service is a mindful gesture. As mostly students are working part-time in the restaurants. Mostly students come from countryside to the cities to study and they pay their tuition fee by themselves so it will make a real difference.

    

   Learn more: Hanoi Tourism and Culture