What You Can Learn from Dating a Vietnamese

Being in a relationship with a Vietnamese could bring you valuable insights about the intriguing culture, traditions, cuisines, and lifestyle of the locals. Here are some things that you can learn when dating a Vietnamese.

Vietnamese Greeting Culture

Comparing to western countries, the greeting culture of the Vietnamese tend to be more complex in communication. While in English-speaking countries, using first names is a norm, but names are limitedly used by Vietnamese families. Vietnamese only use the name to address those of lower status or younger in the family.

In fact, when dating a Vietnamese, you should present yourself well in front of your love's family members, especially the parents, when visiting her or his house for the first greeting. So it would be considered impolite and impertinent if you call their parents, grandparents or even brothers or sisters directly by their first names in the first greeting. Conversely, her or his parent will be greatly impressed if you, who are foreign trying to use the vocative like “Chao Bac”, “ Chao Chu”, “Chao Co”, etc. These mean hello uncle or aunt, depending on their gender.

Learn more:

Vietnamese vocative and simple phrases

Vietnamese Greeting

Vietnamese Non-verbal Communication

Vietnamese Cuisine

When dating a Vietnamese, you would be lucky to have the best chances to discover delicious dishes, both street foods and traditional foods. Most Vietnamese women generally like cooking at home, so if your girlfriend is Vietnamese, you are likely to enjoy home-cooked Vietnamese dishes daily.

Vietnamese Drinking Culture

Dating a Vietnamese is not really just dating her or him, but you are expected to hang out with the family members on many occasions, simply because Vietnamese live in extended families. Since Vietnamese like to gather socially, be prepared to be familiar with some Vietnamese beer or coffee when everyone meets up. 

Family Relationships

In Vietnam, most people choose to live with their parents until they get married. Even when they get married, the couples are more likely to move and live with the husband’s family if the husband is the only or eldest son. There might even be two or three generations living under the same roof. To keep the bonds in a family, everybody usually has a meal together, especially at dinner.

You can learn more about Vietnamese family values to be understanding about the culture and avoid conflicts where necessary. 

Other Tips for Dating a Vietnamese

• Know the general dos and don'ts in Vietnamese culture on respecting the elders
• You will be asked blatantly on personal information like age and income, even at first meetings
• Affectionate gestures, especially in public and in the first few dates, are not common 
• The meet up with Vietnamese parents is important as they may expect you to be moving toward a serious relationship when you are introduced

You may also want to know about Vietnamese wedding rituals.

Summary on What You Can Learn from Dating a Vietnamese

By dating a Vietnamese, you can learn about the culture, cuisines, and family relationships and values.

Read more information on the Vietnamese culture and Vietnam travel information for other insights.