What Not To Wear in Vietnam! ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

What Not To Wear in Vietnam!

Replies: 15 - Last Post: 02-Mar-2007 15:16 Last Post By: ffionhughes

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Posted
01-Mar-2007 12:30
by: ffionhughes

Posts: 2
Registered: 01/03/07

What Not To Wear in Vietnam!

Hi guys,

I'm a woman travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia and am really not sure what clothes to pack for my trip!

I've Googled this topic and found some conflicting information...

Some sites mention that women shouldn't really wear shorts and vest tops - are we therefore talking shoulders covered and skirts / shorts down to the knee (or lower)?? I'm not really one for t-shirts and would prefer vest tops provided this was not deemed disrespectful to the locals!

Cheers for your help

Ffi : )

Posted
01-Mar-2007 12:53
by: StraightnoChaser

Posts: 1,653
Registered: 02/12/01

1

No particular dress code in Vietnam. Common sense will do.

Posted
01-Mar-2007 13:32
by: ae123456

Posts: 2,658
Registered: 02/09/05

2

The no shorts and no vest tops really applies to visiting temples, etc. There you should cover up as a sign of respect.

(Judging by your name, you must be fellow Welsh. If so Happy St David's Day)

Okay then, just four more beers then I really must be going

Posted
01-Mar-2007 15:48
by: Cocodrilo

Posts: 11,219
Registered: 17/07/02

3

Ditto #1. How do you want people to perceive you ? I would personally not wear shorts or cleavage-bearing blouses. Sexy stuff is OK if you're going out at night (the locals get pretty sexy, too) but modesty is always the best policy. Definitely bring something to cover up those shoulders should you be visiting places of worship, as #2 suggests.

Cambo by Moto

Posted
01-Mar-2007 16:27
by: yesiwill

Posts: 410
Registered: 19/12/06

4

Very well put, #3. I do not have to dress like the Afghan women, but you should cover yourself appropriately.

Posted
01-Mar-2007 16:28
by: ticotim

Posts: 7,599
Registered: 15/01/03

5

No shorts

Be covered in temples

Get a Guidebook, and Get Lost!

View PICS of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Costa Rica, Hamptons NY.... click on TicoTim...

Posted
01-Mar-2007 16:39
by: yesiwill

Posts: 410
Registered: 19/12/06

6

"I" meant you.

Posted
01-Mar-2007 17:49
by: StillWithUs

Posts: 1,123
Registered: 24/08/05

7

My wife swear by long skirts. Respectful, comfortable and cool, good for drying hands or knife blade, and you can bathe and pee without showing a thing.

Posted
01-Mar-2007 17:56
by: somsai

Posts: 3,032
Registered: 05/10/03

8

ffiaon hughes,

It depends on the individual, perhaps if you could link to some close ups of you wearing short shorts and vest tops? Also some cleavage bearing blouses as mentioned in #3. (I think she meant baring right? I mean if blouses nead to bear the weight of cleavage oh my gosh.) Personaly when I wear revealing clothing such as mentioned I often get funny looks.

Lao Bumpkin a blog about Laos

Posted
01-Mar-2007 18:47
by: Craig Schuler

Posts: 1,458
Registered: 22/01/03

9

Quote
Personaly when I wear revealing clothing such as mentioned I often get funny looks.

For the benefit of others maybe a photo link to one of your floral tailor made numbers is in order...

CRAIG SCHULER: People Art Photography

Posted
01-Mar-2007 18:49
by: Cocodrilo

Posts: 11,219
Registered: 17/07/02

10

#7 ...but they're a bitch if you're trying to ride a bicycle, and you don't want your skirt hem to get caught in the wheel of a moto should you decide to hire one. Pants are more versatile, for me anyhow...

Cambo by Moto

Posted
01-Mar-2007 19:37
by: wildbill34

Posts: 750
Registered: 01/07/03

11

My first question would be: Are you concerned about what the Vietnamese will think, or are you concerned about your fellow travelers?

The question has been asked many times here and always draws a lot of comments. With that in mind, on a recent visit to Vietnam, I did some counts of the types of clothing worn on the street in cities and villages from Can Tho north to Bao Loc. I also reviewed hundreds of photos, and some video tapes taken over the past 7 years. Over 95% of the women wore long slacks and a blouse with ¾ or long sleeves. About 95% of the men wore long slacks and a shirt with a collar and sleeves. Laborers, young men and persons engaged in athletics were more likely to wear shorts, but the majority did not. Women working indoors were more likely to wear short sleeves. Women are well aware of the effects of the tropical sun on their skin, and a sun tan is not admired. You’ll see young women on bikes wearing elbow length gloves and masks to avoid the sun.

There was a recent article in a Saigon newspaper about incivility in the city.
Two photos accompanying the article showed a young shirtless Vietnamese man jogging in shorts and tennis shoes. Another showed a young man, a foreigner, wearing knee length shorts and a sleeveless jersey.

Will you get some snide comments if you wear shorts and a T-shirt? Will people laugh or look at you funny? Not likely. Will you be refused entrance to some public places, restaurants, temples? Yes, in a few cases. Best to check in advance.

It all comes down to a personal decision. You’re not going to blend in regardless of how you dress. If you’re observant, you may notice that the expats dress like the locals. It may all be new and exciting to you, but the Vietnamese see thousands of tourists, and they probably couldn’t care less, unless you wear something truly offensive. Personally, I prefer to show a little respect for their customs.

BTW, shorts are not necessarily cooler, especially in the sun. Think about what people who live in deserts wear.

Posted
01-Mar-2007 22:43
by: mozzies

Posts: 1,731
Registered: 25/02/05

12

Quote
Personaly when I wear revealing clothing such as mentioned I often get funny looks.

lay off the MSG, it is having an effect on you beyond the rationale of medical science.

Posted
01-Mar-2007 23:00
by: somsai

Posts: 3,032
Registered: 05/10/03

13

I was joking because I thought all serious replies were over. Wildbill's reply was great. Could probably serve for all of SEA. Reasonable and not dogmatic but clues one in to how things are.

Lao Bumpkin a blog about Laos

Posted
02-Mar-2007 02:21
by: ton_dessert

Posts: 208
Registered: 30/07/06

14

Yeah are you asking about what the expats would think of you or what the locals would think of you?

I live in Hanoi and the girls here dress quite well. High-heeled boots, mini skirts etc. while riding a moped (tough life). It's the tourists who don't really care what they wear, it seems! Too much travelling without time to do laundry probably.

Just wear whatever you're most comfortable with. Of course, regardless of what you wear, you will not blend in, haha, sorry. However, it might be in your best interest to not show too much cleavage, or the t-bar haha. That will just bring negative attention from the locals.

Like the other posters have already said, you need to be covered up when entering places of worship, i.e. no shorts or sleeveless shirts. Other than that, if you're gonna be doing a lot of walking/biking then perhaps shorts or pants work much better than a skirt.

It's getting hot and humid in Hanoi so perhaps short-sleeved shirts and shorts will do. You will sweat a lot (at least I do!)

When you're going out for the night, dress sexy like you would anywhere.

In Saigon, the girls dress a lot sexier than in Hanoi. Hope that helps! : )

Good luck with your travels! I'm gonna do an Indochina trip myself at the end of April so I would really love to listen to your travel tales!

Take care! :)

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