Vietnam etiquette: temple dress, the Mausoleum, shoes, tipping and bargaining

Cover your shoulders and knees at temples, pagodas and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and take off your hat and shoes when asked. Tipping isn’t expected. Bargaining is normal at markets, so agree the price before you buy.

Where are you going?

• A temple or pagoda: wear sleeves to the elbow and trousers or a skirt that covers the knee, and take off your hat. Some places also ask you to remove your shoes.1Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn Signs outside often give the dress code.2GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)gov.uk
• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: cover your shoulders and knees.3Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel Leave large bags at the storage counters and take off your hat. Inside, keep silent, keep your hands out of your pockets and don’t touch the walls. Photos, filming and sketching are banned inside, and so are professional cameras.4VnExpress International, January 2025 (opens in a new tab)e.vnexpress.net For opening days, see Hanoi.
• Someone’s home: take your shoes off just outside the door. Bring fruit, cake, biscuits or flowers, never anything black, and don’t step over the altars some families keep at ground level.5Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• A market: bargaining is common. Check prices at a few stalls before you agree.6Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel Shop in the afternoon: a first sale of the day that falls through is bad luck for the seller.7Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• A restaurant, spa or tour: tipping isn’t expected in restaurants and cafes, but it is appreciated. It’s becoming more common for private guides and at beauty salons,8Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel and at spas.9Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• The beach: keep swimwear for the beach or your resort, and men shouldn’t go shirtless in public.10Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• An economy sleeper bus: your shoes go in the plastic bag provided.11VnExpress International, November 2023 (opens in a new tab)e.vnexpress.net

Whatever you do

1. Pack a shawl or large scarf to cover up at temples in summer.12Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn
2. Carry photo ID. A printed copy of your passport photo page and visa is accepted.13GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)gov.uk
3. Ask before you photograph people.14Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
4. Pass things with your right hand or both hands, and don’t point at people or pat their heads or backs.15Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
5. Keep your cool. Avoid loud arguments and making a scene.16Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel

If it doesn’t go to plan

• Not dressed for a temple? Wrap a large cloth or shawl over your shoulders and legs.17Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn
• Charged more than the listed price? Point to the price. Selling above a listed price can cost a seller 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 VND. In 2025, Ben Thanh Market suspended a stall that did it and ordered a refund.18Tuoi Tre News, July 2025 (opens in a new tab)news.tuoitre.vn See staying safe.
• Nowhere to leave your shoes at a temple? Carry them with you; just don’t wear them inside.19Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel

In temples and pagodas

• Don’t point at statues or touch offerings. If you bring an offering, make it fresh flowers or fruit.20Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn
• Light one stick of incense, not a bundle.21Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn
• Put money in the donation box, not on a statue’s lap.22Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn
• Wait your turn at the altar, and don’t walk between people kneeling there and a procession.23Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn
• Obey no-photo signs, and ask before filming a ritual.24Viet Nam News, March 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn

Photos and drones

• Don’t take photos near military bases.25GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)gov.uk
• Register a drone and get a flight permit before you fly it. Registration alone doesn’t let you fly.26Viet Nam News, August 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn Flying without a permit costs 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND, unauthorised aerial photos or video 8,000,000 to 9,000,000 VND, and your drone can be confiscated.27Dan Tri, June 2026 (opens in a new tab)dtinews.dantri.com.vn