Traders who've done well often tell me they want to look at something real in Vietnam: a factory, a property project, a company to back. Most have read that Vietnam is "relationship-driven" and don't know what that means on a Tuesday morning in District 1. I'm Vietnamese, our team arranges these visits, and this is what I'd tell you in the car on the way in.
How do you greet people at a business meeting in Vietnam?
Shake hands gently with a slight nod, starting with the most senior person, and hand over your business card with both hands, text facing them. When you receive a card, take it with both hands, read it, and put it on the table in front of you, not straight into a pocket.
Wait to be introduced, and wait for a woman to offer her hand first if you're not sure. Vietnamese names run family name first, so Nguyen Van An is Mr An, not Mr Nguyen. In a first meeting, "Mr An" is right. Once you've shared a meal, people may switch to "anh" (older brother) or "chi" (older sister) with your first name, which is a good sign. Bring plenty of cards; they're still exchanged at almost every first meeting.
Who leads the conversation in a Vietnamese meeting?
The most senior person on each side. Vietnamese companies are hierarchical, so match seniority: if you send a junior analyst to meet a chairman, the meeting is polite and goes nowhere. Speak to the senior person even when a younger colleague is translating.
Seating follows rank too; let your host show you where to sit. Expect the first part of the meeting to be about you, your family, your trip and your impressions of Vietnam. It isn't small talk to them. It's the meeting. Business comes up when the senior host brings it up.
What are the main dos and don'ts of business in Vietnam?
Be patient, modest and indirect. Don't push for a decision in the room, don't criticise anyone in front of their team, and don't treat a polite "yes" as a signed agreement.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Use two hands for cards, gifts and documents | Pass things with one hand or toss them across the table |
| Arrive on time; expect the host to be a few minutes late | Show impatience if a meeting starts late |
| Dress conservatively: suit or smart shirt, covered shoulders | Wear shorts or very casual clothes to an office or factory |
| Disagree privately, through your adviser or interpreter | Correct or embarrass someone in front of their colleagues |
| Confirm what was agreed in writing afterwards | Take "yes, yes" as a commitment |
| Accept tea and food when offered | Refuse hospitality outright |
| Follow up on Zalo within a day or two | Rely only on email and wait weeks |
"Saving face" (giữ thể diện) is the idea under most of these. A direct "no" is rare, so listen for "we'll study it", "it's difficult" or a change of subject. Those usually mean no, or not yet.
What should I know about business dinners and drinking?
Dinners are where trust is built, and you'll be invited to one. The host orders and pays; toasts are frequent and everyone drinks together, with the classic "mot, hai, ba, dzo!" (one, two, three, cheers). You can drink lightly, but join the toasts.
- Let the host serve first and wait for the most senior person to start eating.
- Toast with two hands on your glass, holding it a little lower than a senior person's when you clink.
- It's fine to pace yourself. Say you have an early flight or a late call; a trader with a New York session is a perfectly good excuse.
- Reciprocate later. Host a dinner of your own on a future visit.
Should I bring a gift to a business meeting in Vietnam?
A small, good-quality gift from your home country is appreciated at a first meeting with a senior person: food, a nicely packaged local product, or something with your company's name. Give it with both hands; it usually won't be opened in front of you.
Avoid anything that looks like an inducement. Keep it modest. Gifts are also expected around Tet, when companies exchange baskets with partners. Steer away from sets of four, clocks and sharp objects, which carry unlucky associations for some people.
When is the best time of year for business trips to Vietnam?
March to May and September to early December are the easiest. Avoid roughly two weeks either side of Tet, the Lunar New Year (6 February 2027), when offices close or slow right down, and the 30 April to 1 May and 2 September public holidays.
Weather matters for site visits too: Hanoi is cool and dry from November, Saigon is dry from December to April, and the central coast has its heaviest rain from October to December. For investors who also trade, Vietnam's time zone helps: meetings in the morning, London from 15:00 and New York from 20:00 in winter. Our forex hours in Vietnam guide has the full table.
How do I follow up after a meeting in Vietnam?
Send a short thank-you within a day, ideally on Zalo, Vietnam's main messaging app, which most business people use more than email. Summarise what you discussed and the next step, and copy your adviser.
Install Zalo before you arrive; you'll be asked for it at the end of meetings. Put anything that matters in writing, then in a contract reviewed by a licensed Vietnamese lawyer. We coordinate travel and introductions only, never investment advice, and we introduce guests to licensed legal and tax advisers for the rest. If you're coming for meetings rather than tourism, check that your entry fits the purpose; our e-visa guide covers the basics.
FAQ
How do you exchange business cards in Vietnam?
Give and receive cards with both hands, text facing the other person. Read the card you receive, then place it on the table in front of you during the meeting rather than putting it straight into a pocket.
How do I address someone in a business meeting in Vietnam?
Use Mr or Ms with the person's given name, which comes last: Nguyen Van An is Mr An. After you know each other, people may use "anh" (older brother) or "chi" (older sister) with the first name.
Is it rude to say no in Vietnam?
A blunt no can cause loss of face, so Vietnamese counterparts often avoid it. Phrases like "we will study it" or "it is difficult" usually mean no or not yet. Raise disagreements privately, through an adviser or interpreter.
What messaging app do Vietnamese businesses use?
Zalo. Most Vietnamese business people use it more than email or WhatsApp, and you will often be asked for your Zalo at the end of a meeting. Install it before you travel.
When should I avoid doing business in Vietnam?
Avoid about two weeks either side of Tet, the Lunar New Year, which falls on 6 February 2027. Offices close or slow down. The 30 April and 1 May holidays and National Day on 2 September also shut most offices.
The bottom line
Match seniority, use two hands, let the first meeting be about trust, join the dinner, and put the real agreement in writing with a licensed adviser. Vietnam rewards people who come back a second time.
Next: plan the meals with our Vietnamese food guide for traders, or see how money works in Vietnam.