Is wearing black in Vietnam looked upon as odd or depressing?

10POSTS

11 years ago

I live in Thailand now but am moving to Vietnam in April. Here in Thailand, people don't wear black unless they are attending a funeral or are in mourning. I make sure not to wear all black to avoid odd looks and confused faces, but I have a lot of black clothes I originally brought with me from home and was wondering if the same goes in Vietnem. Most countries don't find it out of the ordinary. So is it in all of SE Asia?

Thanks

See also

Visas for Vietnam - Guide
Looking for a flight to Vietnam - 32 Replies
Looking at moving to Vietnam - 7 Replies
Looking for foreigners in Vietnam - 17 Replies
Looking for work in Hanoi Vietnam - 5 Replies
Looking for job in Vietnam - 6 Replies
Wearing shoes in VN - 21 Replies

virgoks Active member

95POSTS

11 years ago

tonilynnejones wrote:
I live in Thailand now but am moving to Vietnam in April. Here in Thailand, people don't wear black unless they are attending a funeral or are in mourning. I make sure not to wear all black to avoid odd looks and confused faces, but I have a lot of black clothes I originally brought with me from home and was wondering if the same goes in Vietnem. Most countries don't find it out of the ordinary. So is it in all of SE Asia?

Thanks

Hi! I am a local and I would definitely say that "NO" wearing black is just so normal in Vietnam. Just wear any color of your favorite as there is no specific color considered as odd here. Welcome to Vietnam and enjoy this beautiful country

Hung

2 members reacted to this post

bluecheer Contributor

131POSTS

11 years ago

In my opinion black is depressing. Get some COLOUR in your life. :-)

1 member reacted to this post

Huong Dao New member

9POSTS

11 years ago

Dear,

Wearing black is normal in Vietnam. Feel free to wear your favorite colour here. The idea of the last poster is nice, but in my opinion, black can be also one colour which help to contribute to your colourful life. As a girl, I also have many black dresses.

Welcome and have a nice time in Vietnam

3 members reacted to this post

tonilynnejones Member

10POSTS

11 years ago

Thanks everyone!!

1 member reacted to this post

eodmatt ViP

1418POSTS

11 years ago

Wearing black is normal in Vietnam - as is wearing any other colour. The Viet Cong traditionally, or perhaps culturally wore black clothing.

The colour that is worn here to signify grief and mourning is white.

I would add that if you go out and about in Vietnam wearing black clothes all the time you might get a bit warm as black is a non reflective colour.

1 member reacted to this post

namron Contributor

103POSTS

11 years ago

As others have stated, black colored clothes are normal in Vietnam. Feel free to wear any color of clothes you like.

Welcome to Vietnam!

1 member reacted to this post

eodmatt ViP

1418POSTS

11 years ago

Huong Dao wrote:
Dear,

Wearing black is normal in Vietnam. Feel free to wear your favorite colour here. The idea of the last poster is nice, but in my opinion, black can be also one colour which help to contribute to your colourful life. As a girl, I also have many black dresses.

Welcome and have a nice time in Vietnam

There are quite a few men who wear black dresses too. Allegedly.

1 member reacted to this post

ngattt Serial expat

922POSTS

11 years ago

OP: dont worry about clothes so much, especially in Saigon. Saigoner is very simple, you can wear anything/any color you want, as long as you feel comfortable.
Welcome to Vietnam

eodmatt wrote:
There are quite a few men who wear black dresses too. Allegedly.

Sometimes I like to see man in black shirt and white pair of pants (khaki) . But it's look hot in Saigon .

1 member reacted to this post

Dejavu.dot Serial expat

981POSTS

11 years ago

#10

tonilynnejones wrote:
I live in Thailand now but am moving to Vietnam in April. Here in Thailand, people don't wear black unless they are attending a funeral or are in mourning. I make sure not to wear all black to avoid odd looks and confused faces, but I have a lot of black clothes I originally brought with me from home and was wondering if the same goes in Vietnem. Most countries don't find it out of the ordinary. So is it in all of SE Asia?

Thanks

When I started living in Saigon, I tried to find what Saigon fashion trend was. My conclusion: there is no fashion trend here at all.

tonilynnejones Member

10POSTS

11 years ago

#11

Thanks for all your advice

Dejavu.dot Serial expat

981POSTS

11 years ago

#12

tonilynnejones wrote:
Thanks for all your advice

You are welcome. Don't worry so much. You are looking nice in your picture!

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#13

WHITE has certain connotations of the type you inquired about, but the style also infers the dress purpose.

zabrinale Active member

72POSTS

11 years ago

#14

Hi Tonilynnejones:

Yes, the same goes in Vietnam. When you wear all black, it's to go to a funeral or you're in mourning! So if you want to wear black, like a black dress, you must put on a red jacket or a red or yellow flower on the dress. Or a black skirt with a coloured top, but not all black!
Hope this helps!

ngattt Serial expat

922POSTS

11 years ago

#15

Sometimes I really like to wear black, but my skin is not good enough, so if I wear it, I must make up a lot. I remembered a story when I was in Hanoi. That night, I wore all black, and wait my friend in my university. Suddently, a man saw me, he looked at me for a while. After that, I know he was my NEW big boss. He said, he extremely impressed when he saw me in that outfit. It made him remember his ex girlfriend

. Then, he always talked to me so much, shared with me some interesting things... until he was promoted to higher level, and didnt work there. I learned many things from him...
Dont worry so much about black color here.

http://c0.f21.img.vnecdn.net/2013/10/17/Angelina-Jolie-at-Kung-Fu-Pand-3218-6613-1382015676.jpg

http://c0.f21.img.vnecdn.net/2013/10/17/miranda-kerr-sunglasses-6439-1382015676.jpg

http://www.yes24.vn/Upload02/CatalogContent201309/5-(68).jpg

http://c0.f21.img.vnecdn.net/2013/12/11/5-7569-1386727391.jpg

http://www.yes24.vn/Upload02/CatalogContent201309/1-(117).jpg

cherry_blossoms Active member

29POSTS

11 years ago

#16

I think it is normal in Vietnam. I like black color so I wear black usually. 70% My clothes is black. Wearing what you want, don't worry.

Greglb Member

23POSTS

11 years ago

#17

Where do people get these ideas about Vietnam? Kind of makes me laugh. Yes it is ok to wear black in Vietnam.

milkybunnyHCM Serial expat

329POSTS

11 years ago

#18

Greglb wrote:
Where do people get these ideas about Vietnam? Kind of makes me laugh. Yes it is ok to wear black in Vietnam.

She said that's how it is in Thailand, so she's just confirming that wasn't some uniform SE Asia thing.

OP, the only time there's a dress code here is when you go into government buildings. Saigon is a modern city that spends more time focusing on clothes that block out the sun more than anything else.