Why did I choose to do this

presentation?

VIETNAM

Vietnam is
located in
Southeast
Asia

Capital

Largest
city

Capital: Hanoi city

64 cities and provinces
Largest city: Ho Chi
Minh city

- 91.5 millions
(2012)
- Median age:
28.2

- The Asias secondfastest growing

economy
- Agriculture-based
economy

Source: http://cia-world-fact-book.findthedata.org/l/1023/Vietnam

COMMON VIETNAMESE
CULTURAL BELIEFS
SUGGESTIONS FOR
HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS
Source: Center for Disease Control and

Prevention, 2012

- To avoid confrontation or signs of

disrespect, especially with persons of
higher status, Vietnamese may remain
silent, nod, and say yes this does not
necessarily indicate understanding or
agreement
- Should not assume that nodding or
responding yes to questions means
understanding or agreement.
- Avoid asking yes or no questions;
instead, ask open-ended questions to
elicit a patients understanding of Dx,

- FAMILY is valued highly and plays a

central role.
- Extended family is valued.
- The eldest male is often the decision
maker and family spokesman.
- Individualism is discouraged in favor of
family responsibilities.

- Integrate family-centered care when

taking care of Vietnamese patients
- Engage whole family, especially elders
and husbands, on decision making

- Nonverbal gestures, such as gentle bows,

smiles, nods, soft voice tone, avoiding
direct eye contact, are signs of respect.
- Touch is seldom used as a means of
communication, especially with elders, the
opposite sex, and those of higher status.
- Avoid consistent direct eye contact and
loud voice
- Before performing a clinical examination,
inform the patient of your intention and
seek permission.
- Ask female patients if they would prefer
to have a female family present during an

Cultural Norms of
Health, Illness, and
Disabilities
SUGGESTIONS FOR
HEALTH CARE
PROVIDERS
Source: Center for Disease Control and

Prevention, 2012

- Good health is a balance of hot and cold

inside body illness the result of an
imbalance of hot and cold.
- Western medicines = hot.
- Traditional herbs = cold.
To restore balance, people may change
their diets, avoid cold things, use Western
or traditional medicines/practices, try a
combination of approaches
- Avoid offer Vietnamese patients ice water.
- Provide hot soup or hot foods, including
fish sauce, eggs, spices, peppers, onions,
and meats.
- Carefully take history of medications and

- Illness may be caused by supernatural

causes.
- Illness may be seen as punishment for
offending a god, spirit, or demon.
most likely seek assistance from
traditional practitioners or Buddhist monks
first, such as coining, cupping, and
acupuncture.

- Avoid assuming the signs of cupping and

coining as signs of abuse.

- Some Vietnamese may also explain illness

using Western concepts and use Western
medicines, such as antibiotics. However, if
symptoms are lacking, Vietnamese may
discontinue Western medications or selfadjust to smaller dosages.

- Emphasize the importance of finishing the

prescribed course of antibiotic to reduce
risk for antibiotic resistance.

Health Care-seeking
Behaviors

Vietnamese prefer to treat illness with

self-care, self-medication, herbal
medicines, traditional, and natural
remedies and seek Western health care
services only if traditional methods fail.

- When appropriate, discuss ways to

incorporate traditional remedies into
treatment.

Vietnamese Cultural Norms around

Interaction with Law Enforcement

Vietnamese culture is concerned more

with status.
Vietnamese give special respect to
high status professions, including
doctor, teacher, and law enforcement.

Main Transportation in
Vietnam

Number of motorbikes in Vietnam: 16 millions

& counting

Vietnamese Traditional Dress Ao Dai

Customized
Traditional
Wedding Ao Dai
for Men and

Vietnamese Traditional Hat with Ao

Dai

, Gia

o
h
P

Dried
Lai

Da C
u
Phong a Pancake
- Hai

HA
BUN THANG
NOI

Beautiful
Places you
should

visit

Nha Trang Beach

Ha Long Bay

Ruong Bac Thang,

Northen

- Lunar New Year

Traditional Ao Dai During

BANH CHUNG Traditional Foods

LUCKY MONEY INSIDE RED ENVELOPS

Lucky money for Children

Are you excited to visit Vietnam?

Welcome to
Vietnam

Lets watch a 3-minute-video

about Vietnam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK2pak9tmR