• Tet Festival (Lunar New Year) – The biggest holiday in Vietnam, Tet is a time for family reunions, ancestor worship, and celebrating with fireworks, special foods, and red envelopes (li xi) for good luck.

• Buddhism & Religion – While Vietnam is officially a secular state, many people practice Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and ancestor worship. Temples and pagodas are common throughout the country.

• Traditional Clothing – The Ao Dai, a long, flowing tunic worn over pants, is Vietnam’s national dress, often worn on formal occasions and by women in professional settings.

• Vietnamese Language & Names – Vietnamese is a tonal language with six different tones, meaning the same word can have different meanings based on pronunciation. Most Vietnamese names start with Nguyen, the most common surname.

• Tea & Coffee Culture – Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee producers. Egg coffee (cà phê trứng) and Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) are popular. Tea is also widely consumed, especially in social and business settings.

• Street Food & Dining Etiquette – Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its balance of flavors. Chopsticks are commonly used, and it’s polite to wait for the eldest person to start eating before you do.

• Bargaining Culture – Haggling is common in markets and small shops, but it should be done politely and with a smile.

• Motorbike Nation – Vietnam has millions of motorbikes, which dominate the streets. It’s a key part of daily life, used for transport, deliveries, and even carrying entire families at once!

Vietnamise Cuisine

• Pho (Phở) – A famous noodle soup with beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà), served with fresh herbs and lime.

• Banh Mi (Bánh Mì) – A crispy baguette sandwich filled with meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs, influenced by French colonialism.

• Goi Cuon (Gỏi Cuốn) – Fresh spring rolls made with shrimp, herbs, and vermicelli, wrapped in rice paper and dipped in peanut sauce.

• Bun Cha (Bún Chả) – Grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a sweet-savory dipping sauce, a specialty of Hanoi.

• Cao Lau – A unique noodle dish from Hoi An, made with chewy noodles, pork, and fresh greens in a flavorful broth.

• Com Tam (Cơm Tấm) – "Broken rice" served with grilled pork, pickled vegetables, and a fried egg.

• Bo La Lot (Bò Lá Lốt) – Grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves, packed with smoky flavors.

• Hu Tieu (Hủ Tiếu) – A southern-style noodle soup, often with pork, shrimp, and a light broth.

• Cha Ca La Vong (Chả Cá Lã Vọng) – A Hanoi specialty of turmeric-marinated fish, stir-fried with dill and served with vermicelli.

• Mi Quang (Mì Quảng) – A central Vietnam noodle dish with shrimp, pork, peanuts, and a small amount of broth.

• Ca Phe Trung (Cà Phê Trứng) – Egg coffee, a unique Hanoi specialty made with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk.

• Ca Phe Sua Da (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) – Strong Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk.

• Tra Da (Trà Đá) – Iced tea, commonly served for free in restaurants.

• Tra Sen (Trà Sen) – Lotus tea, a delicate and fragrant tea made by infusing green tea leaves with lotus flowers.

• Nuoc Mia (Nước Mía) – Fresh sugarcane juice, a popular street drink.

• Ruou Nep (Rượu Nếp) – Vietnamese sticky rice wine, often enjoyed in rural areas.