Culture Smart! Vietnam (Paperback)

by Geoffrey Murray (Author) "Vietnam is located in the heart of Southeast Asia on the eastern side of the Indochina peninsula, bordering China to the north, Laos and Cambodia..." (more)
Key Phrases: quoc ngu, United States, Vietnam War, Mekong Delta (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Culture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers, Sunday Times Travel -...the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries, Global Travel -...full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas, Observer -...as useful as they are entertaining, Easy Jet Magazine -...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world, New York Times." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
The Culture Smart! titles are not your basic travel guides: they are consistently updated customs and etiquette references for more than 25 countries, with six new titles available this fall. Now more than ever, travelers are more than just sightseers and tourists; they're ambassadors making impressions of the United States wherever they go. Readers will find these to be invaluable for pointing them on their way to a safe and fun trip abroad.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company (October 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558689125
• ISBN-13: 978-1558689121
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,702,466 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vietnam: A Quick Guide to Customs & Culture, February 21, 2006

By	Daniel D. Dean - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As the title says, the book is a quick guide to Vietnamese customs and etiquette. It does not go into great depth but covers the subjects overall pretty well. I'd recommend it. Contents include how to avoid culture shock; Vietnamese attitudes and values; historical and political background; religion, customs, and traditions; the Vietnamese at home; leisure, social, and cultural life; dos, don'ts, and taboos; body language; hospitality, food, and drink; giving and receiving gifts; business briefing; and language and communications. That's a lot to cover in 168 pages in a pocket sized book. I'd also recommend "Vietnam Today" by Mark A. Ashwill for a little more depth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vietnam - Land of Smiles!, April 26, 2009

By	Anthony P. O'Donnell (Western Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Vietnam - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture (Paperback)

It's a cliché in our consumer-oriented world to say that yet another new device or accessory is "must-have". Even so, I don't hesitate to say that for the intending traveller to Vietnam this little book, clearly designed to fit easily into the pocket or backpack pouch, is a must-have item.
I write with some authority because, although I've not yet been to Vietnam, I have a Vietnamese wife who in turn has Vietnamese children and numerous relatives and friends from her homeland and who now live here in Australia.
This means that my exposure to many aspects of their culture has been and is reached from the privileged position of head of our small family. I can therefore vouch for the accuracy of much of the excellent advice Mr Murray has provided in this book.
That I can't give my blessing to the whole of the contents is not a reflection on the author, or those contents, but rather is my bowing to his vastly superior knowledge of both the people and the land he describes. In other words I found, in spite of my experience, there was much for me to learn, and indeed one reading is not sufficient to take in and retain all that he has to offer.
In recent years Vietnam has been re-discovered. After decades of civil war followed by more decades of dislocation and isolation this little country is finally emerging again, and in doing so is giving the lie to the view that it is a hostile place. Far from it, visitors from around the world are being surprised by its beauty and charm.
So, if you're planning a trip to the land of these friendly and hospitable people, or even if you're merely curious about them, their ancient culture, and their long and fascinating history, I can only repeat, "Culture Smart - VIETNAM" by Geoffrey Murray is a compact, sensitive, authoritative, informative, easy-to-read, must-have.