What happens when someone dies in Vietnam?

When someone dies in Vietnam, the body is moved to a local hospital mortuary for identification and a mandatory, police-involved postmortem (for foreigners). The process involves significant paperwork for burial, cremation, or repatriation, often requiring assistance from the Embassy/Consulate. Traditional rituals, including intense mourning, white funeral clothing, and specific Buddhist customs, are central, often involving a 3-year mourning period.

What happens if a foreigner dies in Vietnam?

Under Vietnamese law, the family should contact the Embassy or Consulate to obtain a Diplomatic Note detailing the family's request regarding the disposition of remains (burial/cremate/shipment). An autopsy is required for foreigners who die in Vietnam, if the death was of a suspicious nature.

What do Vietnamese do when someone dies?

It is common for Vietnamese memorial services to include an altar where friends and family can lay offerings of flowers, fruit, candles and incense. In fact, incense burning is a prominent part of Vietnamese funerals.

How does inheritance work in Vietnam?

676 of the Vietnamese Civil Code (CC) stipulates that assets shall be distributed to heirs at law in the following order of priority: The first level of heirs comprises: spouses, biological parents, adoptive parents, offspring and adopted children of the deceased; the second level of heirs comprises: grandparents and ...

What is punishable by death in Vietnam?

Capital punishment is most often used to sanction drug-related offences, followed by corruption, black-market and violent crimes. Vietnam has some of the harshest drug laws in the world. A 1997 law made possession or smuggling of 100g or more of heroin, or 5 kilograms or more of opium, punishable by death.

7 interesting things about funerals in Vietnam 🇻🇳

Are condoms illegal in Vietnam?

High-quality condoms are available in commercial markets in most urban areas. Travelers whose practices put them at high risk for HIV infection should discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis with their primary care and travel medicine providers (see Sex and Travel). Commercial sex work is illegal in Vietnam.

What does middle finger mean in Vietnam?

However, this hand gesture in Vietnam has a totally different meaning. Actually, it's considered as bad as the middle finger in Western cultures, and refers to a female body part. If you cross your fingers or raise your middle finger towards somebody, they'll find it rude and disrespectful.

How long is a funeral in Vietnam?

Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events and involve several elaborate rituals. Families create an altar featuring offerings and a portrait of the deceased. They often keep their loved one at home after their death for anywhere ranging from three days to a month.

What is the 3 day ritual after death?

The 3rd day post-death procedure in Hindu funeral customs involves rituals and ceremonies to honor the departed soul and facilitate their spiritual journey. Asthi (ashes) are collected and placed in a sacred vessel, symbolizing the soul's transition to the spiritual realm.

Do they cremate in Vietnam?

Although Buddhists usually cremate their dead in Vietnam it is more traditional to be buried. One tradition central to Vietnamese life (and death) is geomancy (feng shui) and the position of the grave is very important for family fortunes – if the wrong spot is chosen bad luck may descend on the family.

What is the 40 day rule after death?

The "40-day rule after death" refers to traditions in Eastern Christianity and other cultures where the soul's journey after death involves significant events or trials, culminating on the 40th day, symbolizing transformation, judgment preparation, or a final farewell before the soul's ultimate destination, with rituals often held on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days. While significant in Orthodox Christianity, with the soul visiting familiar places and experiencing spiritual revelations, similar cultural commemorations exist in some Muslim and Hindu communities, though Islamic scholars often view specific 40th-day rituals as cultural rather than strictly religious, emphasizing continuous prayer.
 

What are the unspoken rules in Vietnam?

Unspoken rules in Vietnam emphasize respect, harmony, and modesty, requiring visitors to remove shoes indoors, dress conservatively (especially at religious sites), stay calm in public (avoiding loud confrontation), and show respect for elders. Key etiquette includes mastering chopsticks (don't pass food, stick them upright), accepting offers of food/drink gracefully, using both hands for transactions, and understanding that public affection is generally frowned upon.
 

How long can a British citizen live in Vietnam?

If you want to stay longer than 45 days, you can: book with a travel agent in Vietnam and ask them to apply for a visa pre-approval letter – your agent will tell you when to collect your visa from the embassy. apply for other visa types from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK.

How much is 1 pound to a dong?

£ 1 GBP = ₫ 35236.8239 VND

Last updated Monday, 19 January 2026 13:53. Rates shown are interbank rates. eurochange rates will differ.

What is considered wealthy in Vietnam?

In particular, there has been a steady increase in Vietnamese high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs). Specifically, the benchmark for HNIs is accumulating a net worth of over USD 1 million. In contrast, the benchmark for UHNIs is having a net worth of over USD 30 million.

Is it okay to wear red in Vietnam?

Delicate suits and jackets are recommended, especially when you have to visit your friend's houses during the festival. We recommend you to pack some red clothes or jackets as this colour is considered as the appearance of luckiness according to Vietnamese culture.

Are bed bugs common in Vietnam?

Bed bugs are not only in Vietnam but also other Asian, African countries. These pests are most often encountered in budget hostels, older guesthouses, shared dormitories, and occasionally even in hotels with insufficient pest control.

Is it rude to cross your fingers in Vietnam?

In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude, especially to another person. Referring to female genitals, it is comparable to the middle finger in American culture. In German-speaking countries, as well as Sweden and Latvia, the gesture is a sign of lying. Instead, wishing for luck is gestured by holding one's thumbs.

Is eye contact disrespectful in Vietnam?

Vietnamese people typically avoid direct eye contact and may gaze downward when talking. Avoiding eye contact demonstrates respect to elders, people of higher status or of the opposite sex. Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude, especially when done by women.

Is it rude to cross your legs in Vietnam?

So showing your feet can be interpreted as disrespect or insult. You should therefore avoid crossing your legs, placing your feet on a table or chair, or directing the soles of your feet towards a person, a religious image or an altar. This is considered extremely disrespectful.

Why is the middle finger vulgar?

The middle finger gesture was used in ancient times as a symbol of sexual intercourse, in a manner meant to degrade, intimidate, and threaten the individual receiving the gesture.