Respecting Elders in Vietnamese Family Gatherings

课文

1. In Vietnam, children bow slightly and say 'Chào bác' when meeting older relatives for the first time each day.

   在越南，孩子每天首次见到年长亲戚时会微微鞠躬并说‘您好，叔叔/阿姨’。

2. During Tết, the Lunar New Year, elders give lucky money in red envelopes to younger family members who kneel respectfully.

   春节期间，长辈会给晚辈发装有压岁钱的红包，晚辈则恭敬跪拜。

3. Younger people never call elders by their first names — instead, they use kinship terms like 'chú' or 'cô'.

   晚辈从不直呼长辈名字，而用‘叔叔’‘阿姨’等亲属称谓。

4. At meals, the eldest person always begins eating first, and others wait until they are served and seated.

   用餐时，长辈先动筷，其他人须等其落座并开始进食后才可开吃。

5. If an elder enters the room, everyone stands up briefly as a sign of respect, even during conversation.

   若有长辈进屋，众人无论正在交谈与否，均需短暂起立以示尊重。

6. Gifts for elders are wrapped carefully in red or yellow paper — white is avoided because it symbolizes mourning.

   赠予长辈的礼物须用红或黄色纸精心包裹，避免白色，因其象征丧事。

7. When speaking, younger people use softer tones and avoid interrupting, even if they disagree politely.

   交谈时，晚辈语调柔和，即便礼貌持不同意见也绝不打断。

8. Visiting grandparents’ homes requires bringing fruit or tea, never empty-handed, as this shows sincerity and care.

   探望祖父母须携水果或茶叶，切忌空手前往，以表真诚与关怀。