Vietnam is home to both Western and Eastern religions and philosophies, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Caodaism. Ancestral worship, the belief that the soul lives on after death and protects its descendants, is practiced throughout Viet Nam. Buddhism is the main religion of Vietnam (about 70%), Catholicism is the second largest of the country (about 10%).

The most widely celebrated public holiday is the Tet, the Lunar New Year, which is the most important festival of the year to all Vietnamese. The weeklong holiday is usually celebrated in late January or early February. It is an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During Tet, Vietnamese visit their relatives and temples, forgetting about the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year. They consider Tet to be the first day of spring and the festival is often called Hoi Xuan (spring festival).

The majority of the population (87%) is comprised of the Viet, or Kinh. The balance of the population is made up of over 50 minority groups, living mainly in the mountainous areas of the country. The best known minority hill tribes are the Tay (the most populous), Hmong, Dzao, White Thai and Black Thai (both mainly from the north), and the Hoa. Each hill tribe has its unique customs and dialect making them fascinating to visit.

Rice is a staple food throughout the country. However, traditional Vietnamese cuisine also boasts specialties that differ according to the region. Oven-baked French baguette, seasonal fruits (including tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen, dragon fruit, rambutans, and longans), fresh vegetables, and local seafood are readily available. Vietnamese restaurants offer a broad selection of tempting international fare as well, including French, Italian, American, Indian, Chinese and Japanese. All fruits and vegetables should be cooked or peeled.