Security
Do pay attention to your belongings when walking inner city, especially during the evening or night. Hanoi is considered a safe city compared to some other cities in the region. However, Vietnamese says ‘prevention is better than protection’.

Food and beverage
Do not drink water directly from water taps even from those in your hotels, as the water filtration system in Vietnam is still not at a satisfactory level.

Do clean and peel fruits when you buy them from markets.

Do ask for fork, knifes and spoons from restaurant if needed: it’s not considered improper not to use the chopsticks.

Working with Vietnamese people
Do present your hand and give a small bow when introducing yourself to Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people, in general, do not hug or kiss when meeting each other.

Do give your name card to Vietnamese people with two hands, showing the right text side up for your counterpart. Receive the name card of your counterpart with due attention, study the name, and if needed ask how to pronounce. Always present your card first to the most senior person present, but do present your card to all your counterparts. Vietnamese people do appreciate that.

Do call Vietnamese people with their first name; it should be the last part of their full name (i.e. Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, so call him Mr. Hai).

Do not be surprised when Vietnamese are smiling or laughing, even if you do feel that the circumstance is not funny at all. It is a habit of Vietnamese to smile and laugh! It could mean that they are genuinely happy, but it could also show embarrassment. It, however, does not imply that they are laughing at you.

Do not expect Vietnamese people to open gifts that you have just given to them. However, they would appreciate it if you open their gift and show your interest in it.

Do not touch the head of any of your Vietnamese contacts, even if you know them well, or use your feet to show something. It is considered very improper and impolite.

Do show up exactly on the agreed time either for dinner or working meetings. In this respect, Vietnamese are punctual to the minute.

Exchange money
Do go to the exchange bureau of Vietnamese or foreign banks during working hours to change your money. The most acceptable foreign currency to change is US dollar. The exchange rate as of May 1, 2006: 1 EUR = 20,780 VND.

Do get money from ATM machines, but only Vietnamese Dong is available. In the 2 major towns, Hanoi and HoChiMinh City, an increasing number of ATM machines are installed.

Medical service
Do call the French International Hospital (in Hanoi: tel. 04 5740740; in HoChiMinh City: tel. 08 4113333), or International SOS (in Hanoi: tel.04 9340666; in HoChiMinh City: tel. 08 8298424) if you have serious problem with your health.

Shopping
Do bargain or ask the shopkeepers to reduce the price if they can. You can pay them in US dollar.

Transportation
Do take a taxi when travelling inner city. Most of the taxi drivers are expected to speak a little English. However, show them the address of the place you want to go to, since the Vietnamese language has 6 different accents, making it possible to pronounce one word in six different ways, having six different meanings. The taxi fare for the first 1,5 kilometres is VND 11,000. You can pay in Vietnamese Dong or in US dollar. Drivers, as well as waiters at the hotels or restaurants, do not expect a tip from you.

Do not make use of taxi-motorbikes (xe om), since you will not be offered a safety-helmet.

Do expect to hear honking all the time when travelling inner city due to motorbikes and cars.