Travellers to Vietnam may notice some surprising and rather unique habits that are practised by the locals; these traditions are commonplace, yet will draw the attention of visitors and add to the charm of an adventure here.
Dressing in pyjamas
Whilst many of us enjoy wearing soft, comfortable pyjamas at home for nighttime, in Vietnam, they are commonly worn in public settings, especially by women. Of course, this isn’t because they didn’t have the time or take the trouble to wear more dressy clothing! Rather, various types of stylish pyjamas happen to be a popular choice of fashion in this nation.
Playing classic English songs
The Vietnamese often play well-known classic English songs originally created by bands like ABBA on occasions like weddings, anniversaries, New Year’s Eve, and other holidays. Rather than opt for more contemporary tunes, it is the popular tried and tested classics that are commonly played. Whether you are staying beside the sea at properties like Avani Quy Nhon Resort and enjoying the many fun things to do in Quy Nhon or exploring the bustling cities, keep an ear out to hear some ‘golden oldies’ being played.
Smoking bamboo pipes
Generally, smoking is commonplace in Vietnam, and a rather unusual and interesting variation of this practice is smoking bamboo pipes or thuoc lao. In this practice, leaves of the plant Nicotiana rustica, a highly potent form of tobacco, are smoked in a long pipe. Interestingly, in a traditional setting, smoking a bamboo pipe is a communal experience, with the pipe being passed around usually once a meal is complete.
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Customised phone numbers
In the culture of Vietnam, many locals have a penchant for lucky numbers. Certain numbers are considered to be lucky, whilst others are thought to be unlucky. Accordingly, it is believed that certain digit combinations in phone numbers bring good luck, and therefore some Vietnamese go to great lengths to obtain such numbers.