DO NOT do these when you are on Vietnam Package Tours visiting a temple or pagoda in Vietnam, there are 10 taboos Ten taboos that maybe not everyone knows. Let's us give you a Vietnam Tour Guide for sacred places visiting from North to South of Vietnam exploration.

 1. Do not use or take anything from the pagoda or temple home to use. Things in pagoda or temple are usually donated from other people. 

2. Leave your shoes out of the main worshiping area. Normally, there will be a mat in the middle of the altar which tells you that it is a place to bow- not to step on. Do not smoke as it is not a good signal for you. Burning incense will create a smoke and the smoke is the connection to the god and do not try to get other connection.

3. When you visit a  pagoda or temple, please do not enter and walk out by the center door. The suggestion is the side door. As the right hand-side rules, you should go in by the right hand side door and get out by also the right hand -side (Which is your left when you walk in). The Vietnamese people believe that right hand will bring the right things and in some pagoda or temple, they even name the doors so that everybody knows. The center door was used by the King or in the festival days. Almost all the famous temple and pagoda of Vietnam will keep the center doors closed in the normal day.

4. Should not stare the god statue to find something special with the god's figure. In Vietnam, when we create a statue, we also have a special ceremony to call the god's soul to come to stay inside the statue and staring at the god is the signal of irrespective. You should take a quick picture (no flash) at the good if you like or stand far away to look at the statue.

5. Do not run around, talk loudly and spit inside the worshiping place. It is of course something we will do everywhere. Try to keep the voices down and stay near your tour guide if you would like to hear his story. Should not call each other with names inside the worshiping area as it is not a good thing to do.

6. Come to pagoda with very little belongings as possible. Remember not to put any of your belongings on the worshiping  area by accident. 

7. Get inside the worshiping place with formal clothes. We recommend of the clothes with pants longer over your knees and not a kind of tank-top dress (Cover your armpit). You can simply stay outside of the main altar if you are not in a good form.

8. When someone in the pagoda or temple give you a thing - maybe a cake, a flower or something like that which belongs to the place - example: the pagoda keeper want you to try a local sweet and he takes that from the altar, remember to give some small donation if you try the sweet. It is not because the keeper intention to give you and get money back but following Vietnamese belief: getting free stuff from sacred place will show that you are a greedy person. It is also an impolite way to refuse the old man offer in some way. So the tip here is: bring some small local change with you for the trip.

9. When you are visitors, try your best not to stand in the middle worshiping area as you may hinder the pagoda or temple goers. If you are going to make a pray, also do not place yourself in the very center. It is the place for the pagoda or temple keepers with their daily praying, just a side place will be the best suitable.

10. When visiting a pagoda or temple, you will sometimes meet a local keeper or even a monk. As Buddhism is common in Vietnam and every pagoda or temple will be quite associated to Buddhism rituals. When greeting them, set your 2 hands together and put that on your body front under your chin. The greeting words is: "A di đà Phật” or "Amitabha Buddha". If you are following other religions, just the gesture will be enough.

We do hope that with the provided information, your Vietnam Package Tours with us will go smoothly and you will also understand more about our country culture and practise some of them. Have a great time in Vietnam.