What to do at a Vietnamese reception?

Question

I've attended many Vietnamese receptions but I never really paid attention to the details of what was going on. Now... I am getting married and I have no idea what to do. Being that I am Buddhist, my family just basically concentrates on the reception as the actual wedding. What details should I make sure I pay attention to and what should I exactly do at the reception other than going from table to table to thank my guests for coming and collect money?

Your help would be much appreciated no matter how great or small!

Answer 1

A Viet wedding consists of two parts, just like a Christian wedding: the ceremony and the reception.  If your parents are traditional enough, they will insist on the ceremony.  Mostly it's done at home. Basically the groom's family proceeds to the bride's house in the morning or around noon time to ask for her hand.  This is a Buddhist ceremony.  The girl's parents will make the couple do some sort of Buddhist ritual in front of the altar.  The couple will then endure the speeches from the elders in exchange for jewelry gifts.  A light feast is then presented, basically, beer, champagne and appetizers.

The reception takes place at nite.  It depends on the emphasis of the party.  What matters more?  Food? Fun?  Normally a live band is hired to entertain or at least a karaoke machines to let guests make a fool of themselves.  Dancing takes places after the dinner.  Yes, you have to go to each table to thank the guests and get their money presents.  That's about it.  Kind a boring.  I haven't seen any new idea.  It all depends on the MC to stir things up.

Answer 2

I agree with Califi_ , the first answer.  You just need to look happy, smile and do idle chat. It will make your parents and relatives happy. You will enjoy it, I did.  cheers

Answer 3

do you speak vietnamese?

Answer 4

It would help if you told us whether you're a young lady or a young gent. Or even if you're of Vietnamese descent yourself for all that.

If you're a young Vietnamese lady, which I suspect you are, I would think your mother, possibly your father should be the right person to listen to in that respect.

In both cases, you want to show proper respect to elder people attending there, and give them their rightful addressing title. Again, your parents should be there to give you clues as to how you should do that. I trust your generation still knows how to use the words "Thua Ông" or "Thua Bà" with the proper salute.

Answer 5

In vietnam, the reception now is as thousand year ago and go table to table in wedding is must to do. As vietnamese consider this is the traditional activity. When someone get marry, people always support them by giving some money to help the couple (the amount of money is depend on the relation between people)

One other thing is food, you must prepare food for the wedding, in vietnam, people will invite relative, friends and other to their wedding and some wedding will eat in 3 days up to 1000 guests

Nowaday, as I can see from the fact, vietnamese wedding is similar to western one and it become more and more similar as vietnam inport all kind of cultures without considering.

Congratulation for your wedding!

Answer 6

EITHER BRING $$$ OR GIFTS....WHAT DO YOU EXPECT??

YOU JUST WANT TO COME TO THE WEDDING & EAT A FREE MEAL, AREN'T YOU?

THIS IS NOT A HOMELESS SHELTER, FREE LOADER.

AND IF THIS IS YOUR WEDDING, AFTER THE GUESTS GAVE YOU $$$ OR GIFTS, YOU SHOULD RECIPROCATE THEM BACK LATER ON IN YOUR LIFE.....GEEZ, ARE YOU THAT THICK HEADED??

NOTHING IS FREE IN LIFE, LET ME REPEAT AGAIN, NOTHING IS FREE IN LIFE, SO STOP PARASITING ON INNOCENT PEOPLE.

Answer 7

Okay, there's two parts to a wedding.

Wedding:

It's usually held at the Bride's Father's House, because technically the bride should live with her parents until she is married. (It could be a little bit different for situations since we're not from the motherland). The Groom has to come to the Bride's house with his family and friends, and has gifts. Jewelry, Clothing, and Money.

-Jewelry for the symbols of marraige like the wedding ring, only vietnamese people use Earrings and a Ring

-Clothing proves to the bride's parents that he can keep her warm

-Money symbolizes his capability for support.

In Vietnamese American-Buddhist weddings... they're not too picky about meat, so they bring a Roasted Hog, and Candies.

The Fathers Say their blessings, then the Mothers say their blessings. People take 100s of pictures of everyone there, and the Bride and Groom.

Reception:

Usually held at a Chinese Restaurant. 8 course meal for everyone. Bride and Groom wedding clothes. Wait at the door to take pictures with all the families like celebrities. Once everyone is inside they go and get changed for more "mobility", and speeches are done, music, then they start the rounds collecting money. Usually they catch all of it on camera. The guests mingle at their seats, unless they're kids, then well they'll be everywhere but their table, so the bride and groom get to skip a couple of tables. Then when the bride and groom have gotten to see everyone at the tables, they go to the front of the room, and then the parents say a couple more blessings. Then they drink champange from the other's cup by linking arms. Then they are allowed to kiss, so guests usually go crazy and smack their plates with chopsticks, and hoot and holla. Everyone gets to eat, then there should be music. Guests should go up and sings songs for the Bride and Groom. Everyone gets wasted, by 11 o'clock the waiters cut the cake. By 12-2am there's more dancing and then the waiters get mad, and kick you out. The men usually hang out after the reception to gossip and go nuts with beer without women. The women go home with the kids, and yeah.