By Như Ý
In Vietnamese communication, the meaning of a sentence depends not only on the words, but also on the relationship, tone, facial expression, and context. The same phrase can feel friendly and playful between close friends, but disrespectful or offensive when used with someone you are not close to. In Vietnam, you speak according to your level of closeness, using slang shows intimacy, but using it at the wrong time can cross boundaries.
Part of Speak Vietnamese Like a Local