Vietnamese values and communication style

Vietnamese Value System

"Has been deeply affected by Confucianism, introduced from China during a thousand years of Chinese rule" (Pham, n.d ).

It has four basic components:

"Allegiance to the family and country
Reputation
Love of learning
Respect for others" (Pham, n.d )

Allegiance to the family and country

"Keep the family at the center of one’s life
Citizens are taught from anarly age to forget their own interests for the sake of the country" (Pham, n.d )

Other Values

Reputation

"Is referred to as “a fragrant name” and is more precious than anything else in the world. There is a Vietnamese proverb:“After death, a tiger leaves behind his skin, a man leaves his reputation” (Pham, n.d ).

Love of learning

"The Vietnamese common man has a great love of knowledge and learning. They also conceive that knowledge(tài) and virtue (đức) are two complementary aspects of the ideal man" (Pham, n.d ).

Respect for others

"The concept of respect is paramount in the family. There are different words to address persons, according to their age and gender. In society, respect is based on position, status and age" (Pham, n.d ).

Vietnamese must consider many things in communication and conversation

"Direct eye contact is encouraged while communicating

Children are taught to think deeply before they speak

Disagreeing with an authoritative speaker is considered the same as challenging the senior person’s social status

A smile is appropriate as a response to an expression such as “Thank you” or “I am sorry”.

When a person pays a compliment to another person, a “thank you” is not expected in return. Instead, the recipient will acknowledge it with a smile" (Pham, n.d )

Vietnamese values and communication style

"Direct eye contact is encouraged while communicating

Children are taught to think deeply before they speak

Disagreeing with an authoritative speaker is considered the same as challenging the senior person’s social status

A smile is appropriate as a response to an expression such as “Thank you” or “I am sorry”.

When a person pays a compliment to another person, a “thank you” is not expected in return. Instead, the recipient will acknowledge it with a smile" (Pham, n.d )