The Post

Dr. Hung Le, Vice President for International Affairs at Niagara University is leading a management development program for Directors and Administrators from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is a responsible and highly respected organization for their nation and works with all other ministries in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese delegation will arrive in Niagara Falls on March 5 and depart March 13 after a brief visit in Chicago and DePaul University.  While in Niagara Falls and Niagara University, they will attend numerous presentations.

Terms to Note:

• Hello/Goodbye:   Xin chao (pronounced “seen chow”)
• Thank You:  Cam on (pronounced “gahm un”)

Notable Customs:

• Many Vietnamese may greet by bowing slightly to each other, they may join hands.  Usually, higher ranking people are greeted first.
• Summoning a person with a hand or finger in the upright position is reserved only for animals or inferior people.  Between two equal people it is a provocation.  To summon a person, the entire hand with the fingers facing down is the only appropriate hand signal.
• Speaking in a loud tone with excessive gestures is considered rude.
• When getting praise, Vietnamese usually smile instead of saying “thank you”.  A smile is like a silent “thank you”.  Most Vietnamese people are very modest and deflect praise.
• Women do not shake hands with each other or with men.  The majority of Vietnamese women never drink and it is not unusual if they decline when alcoholic beverages are offered to them.
• Patience is one of the keys in successfully dealing with the Vietnamese.
• Finally, the Ministry of Home Affairs is an agency of the Government, performing the state management of the sectors:  Administrative organizations, the public sector, local government, administrative boundaries, officers and employees, state officials, associations and non-governmental organizations; emulation and commendation religious; clerical state archives, youth and state management of public services in the field of management as prescribed by law.

Finally, the Ministry of Home Affairs is an agency of the Government, performing the state management of the sectors:  Administrative organizations, the public sector, local government, administrative boundaries, officers and employees, state officials, associations and non-governmental organizations; emulation and commendation religious; clerical state archives, youth and state management of public services in the field of management as prescribed by law.