Vietnam is an incredible place — full of stunning landscapes, rich culture, and some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. But like any country, it has its own set of social norms, unspoken rules, and small traps that can trip up tourists.
My name is Niall Mackay, the host of A Vietnam Podcast. I also founded Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and now besides podcasting, also help people produce their own show.
This episode will be about 10 things not to do in Vietnam. It will be full of real-life tips from long-term expats, locals, and travelers who’ve been here for years – including plenty of mistakes we’ve made ourselves.
Table of Contents
1. Don’t Hesitate When Crossing the Road in Vietnam – Expat Experiences
One of the very first lessons I learned after moving to Vietnam — and something every tourist needs to know — is how to cross the road without freaking out.
If you’ve ever visited or lived in Vietnam, you’ll know what I mean. The traffic here looks absolutely insane. Scooters coming from every direction, cars squeezing through tight spots, and nobody really stopping. But somehow, it all just works.
My Experience
When I first visited Vietnam with my partner, we were in Hanoi and had no idea how to cross the road. Rush hour hit and we froze on the pavement. Then, out of nowhere, I felt a hand on my back. A tiny Vietnamese man gave me a big smile and just pushed me into traffic. No joke. Baptism by motorbike.
Since then, I’ve learned to trust the flow of traffic. We’ve even crossed four-lane highways like it’s no big deal. But if I think back to my first week here, I totally understand why so many tourists hesitate — and why that’s actually the most dangerous thing to do.
If you’re visiting Vietnam and feel nervous about crossing the street, just remember:
- Walk slowly and steadily
- Don’t make sudden moves
- Make eye contact if you can
- And maybe… don’t slap anyone’s car.
Watch and Listen More: Saigon Traffic: The Unique Experience
2. Don’t Sit and Drink on Bui Vien Street
I’ve lived in Vietnam for years now, and if there’s one place I always tell people to walk through but not stop in, it’s Bui Vien Street — also known as Saigon’s backpacker area or “Party Street.”
It’s like standing between two massive speakers at a music festival, but the festival is every night and full of overpriced drinks, shady characters, and way too much neon.
If you actually want to enjoy a drink in Saigon, Bui Vien is not the place. Here’s why:
- You might get overcharged or pickpocketed.
- People will try to sell you all sorts of things (and I don’t just mean knockoff sunglasses).
- It’s crazy loud – like nightclub-level noise, but outside.
- If you’re looking for real Vietnamese nightlife, this isn’t it anymore.
Instead, I usually recommend people walk through it just for the experience — maybe spend five minutes checking out the madness — and then head somewhere better. There are loads of great spots in Saigon where you can relax, have a decent cocktail, and actually hear your friends talk.
3. Don’t Trust Random Grab Drivers
One of the most common things to avoid in Vietnam — especially if you’re new here — is hopping into a random taxi or getting into a Grab without double-checking the booking. It might seem convenient at first, but it can quickly turn into a frustrating (or expensive) experience.
Use the App — and Stick to It
I always tell people this: use Grab (or Gojek, or Be), but never agree to cancel the ride and pay in cash just because the driver asks.
A few months ago, our guest Krista shared a story about this exact situation. Her Grab driver took her phone, canceled the ride, and then tried to charge her a much higher price — in cash, of course. He didn’t want a bank transfer or anything official. Just cash. She ended up getting out of the car.
Honestly, she handled it like a pro, but imagine if it had been a first-time visitor, late at night, in an unfamiliar place. Not a good feeling.
What To Do: If there’s one simple rule to follow, it’s this: book your rides through the app, and don’t let the driver talk you out of it. If they try to cancel and suggest you pay cash, just say no and book another one.
4. Don’t Go to a Vietnamese Wedding Without Knowing What You’re Getting Into
Now this one might sound a bit odd, but trust me — it belongs on the list of things not to do in Vietnam: don’t accept an invite to a Vietnamese wedding unless you know what you’re getting yourself into.
I’m not saying don’t go at all. Vietnamese weddings are beautiful, lively, and full of good food and great people. But if you’re a foreigner, you need to be prepared — especially if it’s a wedding in the countryside.
700 Guests and 700 Toasts
My guest James recently had a Vietnamese wedding. It was massive — about 700 guests — and he had to speak to every single one of them. That meant hundreds of handshakes, conversations, and of course… cheers.
In Vietnamese culture, especially at weddings, it’s normal to go from table to table doing a quick “một, hai, ba, dzô!” (1, 2, 3, cheers!) with everyone. It’s fun at first — but if you’re doing it all night, it turns into a drinking marathon. They do one or two shots. You do hundreds.
The thing is, saying “no” to a drink in these settings can come across as rude. It’s a big part of the culture.
If you’re going to a Vietnamese wedding or any kind of big local gathering, go with a plan:
- Always keep ice in your beer — it helps water it down over time.
- Sip slowly and fake a few “cheers” if you need to.
- Don’t be afraid to smile, nod, and sit one out if you’re reaching your limit.
- And most of all — don’t show up thinking you’ll only be there for one drink.
5. Don’t Haggle Everywhere
Another big one on my list of things not to do in Vietnam is the art of haggling — or rather, where not to haggle. When you visit Vietnam, you might think that every market is a place to negotiate, but that’s just not the case.
I’ve seen plenty of tourists trying to haggle everywhere, even outside of markets that are meant for it. Of course, you shouldn’t.
Know Where to Negotiate
The key takeaway from my experience is simple: only haggle where it’s expected. Stick to markets like Ben Thanh Market or other tourist-friendly zones designed for bargaining. There, haggling is part of the fun, and both sellers and buyers understand the game.
Outside of these areas, many vendors have set prices that reflect local value. Even in markets, sometimes you’ll find that government-designated sellers have fixed prices.
Some more unwritten rules: The EXPAT SECRET Nobody Tells You About!
6. Don’t Use Hand Signals Without Knowing the Culture
In fact, some signs that are perfectly normal (or even polite) back home can be offensive, confusing, or just plain weird in Vietnamese culture.
Crossed Fingers = Not Good Luck
Let’s start with something simple — crossing your fingers. In many Western countries, this is a harmless gesture that means “good luck.” But in Vietnam? Not so much.
Krista brought this up on the podcast, and it turns out that here, it can be seen as… well… inappropriate. Let’s just say some people think it resembles female anatomy. We joked about it, obviously, because we’re children at heart — but yeah, not a gesture you want to be throwing around without context.
“Come Here” — Not That Way!
Another one that surprised me early on was the way people gestured for someone to come over. In the West, we might wave our hand inward, palm up — like, “Hey, come here.” But in Vietnam, that’s actually considered rude.
Locals usually do it with the palm facing down, almost brushing the air. The first time I saw someone do this to me, I thought they were shooing me away! But here, that’s the polite way to call someone over.
Pointing: Use Your Whole Hand
Here’s another quick one: don’t point with one finger. In Vietnam, it’s more polite to use your entire hand when pointing at something or someone. It feels a bit formal at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.
James mentioned that in the Philippines, people point with their lips — like a little chin flick to indicate direction. While Vietnam doesn’t do the lip point, it’s still a place where subtle body language really matters. A relaxed hand gesture goes a long way.
7. Don’t Stick Your Chopsticks Upright in Your Bowl
One of the lesser-known but super important things not to do in Vietnam is this: never leave your chopsticks sticking upright in your bowl. It might seem like a small thing, especially if you’re just pausing to take a sip or finish your meal, but it carries a lot of meaning here — and not the good kind.
I didn’t know this when I first arrived. Like many Westerners, I naturally thought it was fine to leave my utensils resting in the bowl. I mean, we do it with spoons or forks all the time. But in Vietnam, sticking chopsticks upright in rice or any food is seen as a bad omen. It’s actually linked to funeral rituals, where incense sticks are placed upright in rice as offerings to the dead.
Don’t Pass Food Chopstick-to-Chopstick Either
This next one’s a bit niche, but it’s worth knowing: don’t pass food directly from your chopsticks to someone else’s.
James explained this on the podcast, and it honestly blew my mind. In Vietnamese funeral traditions, the bones of the deceased are sometimes passed between chopsticks during cremation ceremonies. So when two people pass food directly chopstick-to-chopstick, it unintentionally mimics that ritual.
8. Don’t Overreact if Locals Touch or Hold Your Children
So, here’s another one to add to your list of things not to do in Vietnam: don’t get angry or defensive if a local shows love to your child.
Vietnamese love children
Paul shared a great story about this on the podcast. On his very first day in Vietnam, he saw a woman — a total stranger — walk up to his friend’s 5-year-old daughter and just lift her up and hold her. She wasn’t being weird or creepy. It was a genuine gesture of affection. But coming from a Western background, it looked completely shocking at first.
I’ve experienced the same thing. My sister visited Vietnam with her 18-month-old daughter, and while I was working one morning, she went out for breakfast. I got a photo on my phone — a smiling Vietnamese woman holding the baby in the café. My sister just laughed and said, “The staff love her. They’re all taking turns cuddling her.”
Pinching Baby Bums for Luck?
Yep, this is a thing. Paul mentioned another local tradition I’d never heard before: apparently, some people will squeeze or pinch a baby’s bottom for luck — something to do with health and prosperity. He told this to a Canadian friend before he became a dad, and months later, the guy came back like, “It happened! Someone pinched my baby’s bum!” It’s weirdly sweet when you know the intention behind it.
9. Don’t Take “Free” Photos with Street Vendors’ Props
If you’re wandering around Vietnam, especially in tourist hotspots like Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Independence Palace in Saigon, you’ll probably spot locals with bamboo baskets, giant snakes, or even iguanas — and they’ll offer you a “free” photo opportunity.
Here’s the deal: it’s not free.
You’re walking by, minding your own business, and someone with a traditional fruit basket or a colorful shoulder pole (known as a “quang gánh”) gives you a big smile and gestures for you to try it on. “Take a photo!” they’ll say. It seems harmless and friendly.
In some spots, especially in busy tourist areas, people will walk around with snakes or big lizards (like iguanas). They might plop them on your shoulder or hand you the leash without warning, making it seem like a quirky, fun experience. But just like the fruit sellers — as soon as the photo is taken, they’ll demand payment.
Then, as soon as you’ve taken the picture, they ask for money — sometimes nicely, sometimes not so much. Suddenly it’s “50,000 VND,” “100,000 VND,” or even more if you look extra touristy.
The tip: If someone offers you something “for free” in a touristy area — a photo, a hat, a snake, whatever — assume there’s a cost. Unless you’re happy to pay (and sometimes a quick 10K-20K tip is totally fair), it’s better to politely smile and walk away.
10. Don’t Record Traffic with Your Phone Out
If you’re a tourist in Vietnam, it’s totally normal to be fascinated by the traffic — it’s absolute chaos in the best way. Scooters were everywhere, cars weaving in and out, and people were carrying all sorts of stuff on their bikes. It’s wild. But here’s one of those small but important things not to do in Vietnam:
Don’t stand on a street corner filming the traffic with your phone out like a tourist billboard.
Vietnam is a very safe country. Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), especially, feels safer than most big cities I’ve lived in or visited. Violent crime is rare. People are friendly. But like any busy place, there’s still opportunistic theft — and your smartphone held out at arm’s length is an easy target.
And that’s the thing — most phone theft here is opportunistic, not targeted. Nobody’s stalking you. But if you’re distracted, holding out your device in a busy area, it only takes one second for someone to zip past on a bike and grab it.
Conclusion – Things not to do in Vietnam
Most Vietnamese people are incredibly patient with foreigners and happy to help. But if you make the effort to avoid these common mistakes — like filming traffic with your phone out, haggling in the wrong places, or sticking chopsticks in your rice — you’ll stand out for all the right reasons.
In the end, these tips aren’t about being perfect. They’re just about being aware, respectful, and open-minded.
Follow for more stories and tips for living and traveling in Vietnam.