Quick answer: What colors are popular with Vietnamese people?

Red and yellow are widely associated with celebration and good fortune, but preferences vary by age, region, feng shui beliefs, and the individual. For gifts, do not rely on rankings alone—observe the colors they already use, or let them choose.

When you buy a souvenir for a Vietnamese person, you may think, “Surely they’ll like this color,” only to get an unexpected “Hmm?” reaction. In fact, color preferences among Vietnamese people often differ from those of Japanese people. Keep in mind that if they dislike a color, they may firmly refuse to wear it.

That is why knowing which colors Vietnamese people tend to like is useful when it matters. Below, we explain preferred colors by gender.

Colors Vietnamese people commonly like

Vietnam has strong sunlight year-round and very bright cityscapes. Vegetables and fruit also tend to be vividly colored. As a result, there is a tendency to prefer vivid colors.

Red and yellow are favored across generations

In Vietnam, red and yellow are favored across generations. When redecorating a room or deciding a shop layout, Vietnamese people almost always consult feng shui. In the same way, they choose belongings based on how auspicious they seem.

Red and yellow are true “lucky colors.” At Lunar New Year (Tet), streets and interiors overflow with red and yellow decorations. So if you are unsure which color will be well received, choosing red or yellow is a safe bet.

Brown and gray may come across as “elderly”

In Japan, full outfits based on brown or gray can look calm and chic and raise a stylish impression. In Vietnam, however, brown and gray are more likely to be seen as dull, dirty, or unattractive, and are often disliked.

For Vietnamese people, brown and gray can feel “elderly.” Brown in particular evokes withered plants, so it is not well accepted by people who value youthfulness and beauty. Vietnamese people also tend to love nature more than artificial things, so gray—which suggests the cold feel of concrete—is something they prefer not to keep close at hand.

Colors Vietnamese women like

Vietnamese people commonly like red and yellow, but for women, “beauty” and “cuteness” are added as further criteria.

Vietnamese women are particular about “beauty”

Vietnamese women are thoroughly particular about “beauty” in their appearance, belongings, and scenery. When they find a beautiful view or spot, they quickly take a photo of themselves on their phone and upload it on the spot to Facebook or Instagram. Of course, photo editing is essential to maximize both their own beauty and that of the scenery.

So when giving something to a Vietnamese woman, good criteria include color vividness, how photogenic it is, and whether it stands out even from a distance. Colors that may feel too flashy by Japanese standards are often well received by Vietnamese women.

Pink and orange are especially popular

Among these, pink is especially popular with Vietnamese women. Not a warm pastel, but shocking pink. Simply giving something in packaging of that color is almost sure to please.

Quite a few people also like orange—again, a vivid orange. Women with orange-dyed hair are a common sight. Some Vietnamese women also prefer blue that evokes tropical seas, or white for its simple, clean look.

Colors Vietnamese men like

Vietnamese people generally do not prefer subdued colors, but for men the situation is somewhat different. For what they wear themselves, they tend to prefer chic tones.

Vietnamese men prefer monochrome outfits

In contrast to Vietnamese women, who like flashy clothing colors, men’s clothing is very subdued. They prefer monochrome outfits of only black and white, without adding many other colors. Sometimes everything—from shirt and pants to mask and bag—is matched in black.

One reason monochrome is preferred is that it makes one’s figure look better. Many people are already slender, and monochrome outfits are thought to make them look even slimmer. Another reason is that it makes a man look capable at work. Because being good at work is equated with being wealthy, it also becomes one reason they are popular with women.

From their 30s onward, men carry gold accessories

Vietnamese people, regardless of gender, can be somewhat status-conscious. Especially from their 30s onward, men start adding colors to their belongings that project high social standing—so much so that Japanese people may find it a bit overt.

The prime example is gold. You often see Vietnamese men wearing flashy gold watches and necklaces like those once worn by wealthy people in Japan. Shops selling gold jewelry are scattered through the streets, and middle-aged men carrying gold wallets or handbags are also a common sight.

Summary

Colors Vietnamese people commonly like are the lucky colors red and yellow. For items they wear, however, they do not necessarily prefer red and yellow. Choosing vivid, flashy primary colors for women and black for men will make disappointment less likely. That said, color preferences vary by individual, so it may help to casually ask what colors they like.

FAQ: Favorite colors among Vietnamese people

What colors do Vietnamese people like? Red and yellow are favored across generations. Because Vietnam has strong sunlight year-round and bright cityscapes, vivid colors are preferred overall. For wearable items, though, women tend to like vivid primary colors such as shocking pink and orange, while men tend to prefer black-and-white monochrome. Why are red and yellow considered auspicious in Vietnam? When redecorating a room or deciding a shop layout, people almost always consult feng shui, and they also choose belongings based on how auspicious they seem. Red and yellow are true lucky colors; at Lunar New Year (Tet), streets and interiors overflow with red and yellow decorations. If you are unsure, these two colors are hard to get wrong. Are there colors better avoided for gifts? Brown and gray are safer to avoid. In Japan they feel chic and calm, but in Vietnam they are easily taken as “dull” or “elderly”; brown evokes withered plants, and gray the cold feel of concrete. Color preferences vary by person, so casually asking what they like is the surest approach.

If you also want to check gift selection

Along with color preferences, items and numbers that are taboo as gifts are covered in Vietnamese gift taboos. It is useful for choosing souvenirs for welcome/farewell parties and when someone returns home.

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