[Free] How Vietnamese sense of humor differs from Japanese: Dirty jokes that work at drinking parties, how to make jokes that land in casual conversation, and the 'sense of humor' that Japanese people often misunderstand

Living in Vietnam for a long time, there are moments when you feel that the "sense of humor" between Japanese and Vietnamese people is quite different.

This does not mean that Vietnamese people are not funny.
Conversely, it does not mean that Japanese people are superior.

It is simply a matter of different cultures of humor.

I believe Japan is a country where comedy culture has developed to a quite unique extent.

Manzai (stand-up comedy duos).
Skits.
Oogiri (comedic Q&A).
Panel variety shows.
Prank shows.
Impressions.
Radio talk shows.
Online jokes.
Social media trends.
Deep humor in subscription programs.
Sophisticated banter between comedians.

Japanese people are exposed to a wide variety of humor on a daily basis.

Moreover, Japanese comedy relies on very subtle elements like "timing," "setups," "payoffs," "subversion," "reading the room," and "wordplay."

Therefore, trying to get a laugh among Japanese people is surprisingly difficult.

If you explain it too clearly, it falls flat.
If you twist it too much, it doesn't get across.
If it's too ordinary, it's boring.
If you miss the timing, it bombs.
If you misjudge your relationship with the other person, it becomes rude.

Japanese humor is quite delicate.

On the other hand, humor in Vietnam is quite straightforward from a Japanese perspective.

Of course, there are many funny people in Vietnam too.
There are people who are quick-witted.
There are people who are good at livening up a room.
There are people who are good at wordplay.

However, in terms of getting a laugh in daily conversation or at drinking parties, there are many situations where you can get a laugh without thinking as complexly as you would in Japan.

In my experience, if you want to get a few laughs in Vietnam, it's just right to lower the level of humor you use in Japan a little bit.

I don't mean that in a bad way.

In Vietnam, not as many people are exposed to high-level comedy culture on a daily basis as in Japan.
Therefore, even understated jokes or easy-to-understand gags surprisingly get a good laugh.

This time, I will write about the Vietnamese sense of humor and the differences in the "funny bone" compared to Japanese people, which I have felt during my long life in Vietnam.
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First premise: To get a laugh in Vietnam, the atmosphere of the room is everything

The first thing I want to say is that the most important thing when trying to get a laugh in Vietnam is the atmosphere of the room, rather than the level of the joke.

This is the same in Japan, but it is especially important in Vietnam.

Who are you talking to?

Is the other person male or female?

How old are they?
Is it a work setting?
Is it a drinking party?
Is family present?
Is it a first meeting?
Are you already close?
Are there superiors present?
How relaxed is the atmosphere around you?
If you get this wrong, the same joke will be received in a completely different way.
This is especially true for dirty jokes.

Among Vietnamese people, especially older men, there are those who really love dirty jokes.

This is very true.

However, that doesn't mean you should tell dirty jokes everywhere.

Serious work settings.

Settings with many women.

Settings where family is present.
First meetings.
Settings where you haven't established a distance yet.
It is dangerous to suddenly insert dirty jokes in these places.
It should be limited to drinking parties.

A somewhat relaxed atmosphere.

The other person is the type who accepts such jokes.
A relationship where those around you can also laugh.
When these conditions are met, older Vietnamese men laugh quite a bit at dirty jokes.
If you get this wrong and just remember, "Vietnamese people like dirty jokes," you will fail.

The correct understanding is: "Older Vietnamese men really like dirty jokes at drinking parties when a sense of distance has been established."

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Dirty jokes that work at Vietnamese drinking parties are more effective when they are 'paraphrased' rather than direct
In my experience, dirty jokes that are easy to get a laugh with at Vietnamese drinking parties are those that are slightly paraphrased rather than too direct.

Changing the meaning of an object.
Slightly shifting a normal conversation in that direction.
Starting to talk with a straight face and dropping a dirty joke only at the end.

Creating a serious atmosphere and then breaking it down in a silly direction.

These are very well received.

For example, suppose someone gives a serious opinion.

Then you suddenly jump in a bit strongly, saying, "I disagree. I'm against that opinion."
Those around you think, "Oh, is some serious counter-argument starting?"
Then, you drop a silly dirty joke at the end.
Many people really like this gap.

Creating a slightly serious atmosphere, only for it to turn out to be a silly story.

Making them listen seriously, only for it to end as a dirty joke at a drinking party.

Once the other person is a bit braced, you suddenly loosen things up.
This format is very strong.
If you do this in Japan, people might think, "That's sloppy," or "Is that how you end it?"

But at drinking parties in Vietnam, this kind of easy-to-understand gap is quite well received.
Especially older men, many of them like this kind of joke.
However, I repeat, this depends on the setting.

Dirty jokes become vulgar in an instant if you misjudge the distance.

But in a setting where the distance is right, they can also be a weapon to break the ice instantly.

This is the difficult and interesting part.
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Humor with women can be much simpler than in Japan

Next is humor directed at women.

This is my feeling, but when you want to get a laugh from Vietnamese women, I think it's fine to think about lowering the level of humor you use in Japan by about three notches.
This also does not mean that Vietnamese women are not funny.
Rather, it means that the humor Japanese people are usually exposed to is far too detailed.
In Japan, slightly twisted jokes, indirect gags, tsukkomi (straight man) responses that read the room, humor that is intentionally left unsaid, and humor that uses shared knowledge are common.

But in Vietnam, you can get a laugh without making it that complicated.

In fact, if you twist it too much, it won't get across.

What is important when talking to Vietnamese women is clarity.

Exaggerate a little.
Make fun of yourself a little.

Use facial expressions.

Make your reactions bigger.

Keep your tsukkomi light, not too strong.

Don't hurt the other person.

Don't use difficult sarcasm.

Don't demand the tempo of a Japanese comedian.

This level is just right.

In Vietnam, even understated gags are enough to get a laugh.

For example, jokes that might feel a bit weak among Japanese people can often get a normal laugh in Vietnam.

Conversely, if you make a complex joke that only makes sense among Japanese people, they will say, "Huh? What does that mean?"

Therefore, if you want to get a laugh in Vietnam, first be clear.

Make it in a form that the other person can understand immediately.
This is very important.
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Vietnamese comedy leans toward 'skits and short plays'
Looking at Vietnamese comedy culture, I have the impression that it leans more toward skits and short plays compared to Japan.
Even when watching comedy shows on TV, there are basically many easy-to-understand skits or humor in the form of plays with situational settings.
Someone plays a strange character.
Reacting exaggeratedly.

Exaggerating daily troubles.

Acting out common occurrences in families or workplaces.

Turning social satire into a skit.

This is the form.
It is a bit different from the culture in Japan, where:
Showing off conversational techniques for minutes on end with just manzai.

Competing for verbal spontaneity in Oogiri.
Making people laugh through the relationship between comedians.

Picking up on split-second comments on a panel.

Stacking words like Oogiri on the internet.

Of course, there are variety shows in Vietnam, and there are funny videos on social media.

Young people often watch TikTok and YouTube as well.

However, it doesn't feel like comedy genres are as finely divided as in Japan, or that people are bathed in high-level humor on a daily basis.

Therefore, from a Japanese perspective, things that make you think, "Wait, you're laughing at that?" can still get a laugh.
But it is better to see that as Japanese comedy culture having developed in a quite unique way, rather than Vietnamese humor being low-level.
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Japanese people are quite well-trained in humor
Japanese people may not be very conscious of it themselves, but they are quite well-trained in humor.

TV.

YouTube.
Programs on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.
Comedian radio shows.
Social media jokes.
Internet memes.

Oogiri.

Clip videos.
Banter between friends.

Light jokes at the workplace.

They are exposed to various types of humor on a daily basis.
Moreover, the level of Japanese comedy is quite high.
There are setups.

There are payoffs.

There is foreshadowing and resolution.

Reading the room.

Making people laugh with the way of speaking.

Making people laugh with timing.
Making people laugh with character.
Making people laugh with tsukkomi.
Making people laugh by intentionally not explaining.
This sense is quite common even among ordinary people.
Therefore, in conversations between Japanese people, the other person also knows the "grammar of humor" to some extent.
But in Vietnam, the sense is not quite the same.
Even if you make a high-level joke that a Japanese person would think of, it might not get across.
Conversely, jokes that are too simple from a Japanese perspective can be quite well received in Vietnam.
If you understand this, conversations in Vietnam will become much easier.

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A story about a breakup joke that caused a huge laugh

Here, I will tell one story that left an impression on me.
During a casual conversation, the topic turned to someone's breakup.
This kind of situation happens in Japan too, right?
If the person is genuinely hurt, you shouldn't make it a joke, but when the atmosphere is such that it can be made into a joke to some extent, those around might tease them a little to brighten the mood.
In Japan, I think there are various angles.
"Let's move on to the next love."
"Actually, you're free now."
"That experience could be made into a movie."
"You could write a song about that breakup."

"You can become a professional love consultant now."

Besides that, depending on the person's character and relationship, there are many ways to laugh about it.

So, what kind of joke do you think caused a laugh in Vietnam at that time?

The guy who broke up was 28 years old.

At that time, another acquaintance said this:

"It's okay. Soon, your 40-year-old Indonesian ex-girlfriend will contact you and demand to get back together."

This caused a huge laugh.

Honestly, I thought to myself:

Huh?

What?

What's funny?

First of all, there is no 40-year-old Indonesian ex-girlfriend.

Why Indonesia?

Why 40 years old?
Why an ex-girlfriend?
What is that bizarre setting?
From a Japanese perspective, I think it's too nonsensical.
But in Vietnam, this is fine.

This gets a laugh.

In fact, the bizarreness is what makes it funny.

It seems unrelated to the flow of the conversation, but suddenly throwing in a strange setting.

There is no deep meaning.

But as an atmosphere for the room, it's funny.

From a Japanese perspective, you might think:

"I want a bit more structure."

"I want a bit more of a setup."
"Where did that setting come from?"
But in casual conversation in Vietnam, sometimes that much isn't necessary.
Momentum.
Bizarreness.
Clarity.
A slightly exaggerated setting.
The atmosphere of the room.

This makes for a laugh.

At this time, I thought again that the sense of humor in Vietnam and Japan is quite different.

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In Vietnam, 'sloppy bizarreness' is surprisingly strong
Japanese people tend to seek meaning in jokes.
Why is it funny?
Where is the punchline?

What kind of setup was there?
What did it subvert?
Where is the shared understanding?
They are unconsciously looking for these things.
But in Vietnam, sometimes humor is established even without such detailed structure.

Suddenly giving a strange analogy.

Stating an impossible setting.
Teasing the other person lightly and exaggeratedly.
Bringing up a completely unrelated country or age.
Saying silly things with a straight face.
This can be well received.

Of course, it doesn't mean you should just say anything sloppily.

Teasing that hurts the other person is no good.

Discriminatory things are also no good.

Jokes that don't read the room are also no good.

Saying rude things to women or superiors is also dangerous.

But in casual conversation among friends, a slightly sloppier and easier-to-understand gag than what Japanese people think of can sometimes be easier to get across.
Slightly twisted sarcasm or indirect humor that Japanese people tend to do often doesn't get across in Vietnam.
Rather than that, a strange setting that is easy to understand, like "Wait, where did that come from?" can sometimes brighten up the room.
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Things to be careful about when trying to get a laugh in Vietnam

When trying to get a laugh in Vietnam, there are things I am careful about.

The first is not to put the other person down too much.

Teasing can be funny.
But if you hurt the other person's pride, the atmosphere will turn bad in an instant.
Even if Vietnamese people look like they are laughing brightly, they have quite a lot of pride.
Especially teasing that makes them lose face in front of others is dangerous.
I don't recommend bringing strong teasing like in Japanese variety shows directly into Vietnam.

The second is not to use difficult sarcasm.

Among Japanese people, even slightly sarcastic jokes can be funny.

But in Vietnam, sarcasm sometimes doesn't get across well.
Things you said as a joke can be taken as plain insults.
The third is to use facial expressions and tone of voice.
Rather than trying to make people laugh with words alone, it is easier to get across if you make your facial expressions and tone of voice a little exaggerated.

Japanese people tend to be shy and make small jokes, but in Vietnam, it is better to express them a little more clearly.

The fourth is that dirty jokes depend on the setting.

This is really important.
At a drinking party, if there are many older men and the atmosphere is already established, it might be well received.
But other than that, it is better to be cautious.

Especially in settings with women or work settings, it is better not to use them unnecessarily.

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Japanese people who can get a laugh in Vietnam are quite strong

When working in Vietnam, being able to get a laugh is quite strong.

This is because human relationships are very important in Vietnam.
Being able to talk seriously.

Being able to do the work.

Keeping promises.

This is of course important.

But if that's all, there might be some distance left.

Meal settings.

Drinking parties.

Conversation while traveling.

Casual conversation.

A little bit of waiting time.

If you can create a little laughter in these situations, the distance will shrink in an instant.

"Oh, this person is easy to talk to."

"This Japanese person isn't too stiff."

"It's fun to be with them."

"I want to invite them again."

You can get them to think this way.

Especially Japanese people tend to be seen as serious and stiff by Vietnamese people.

That is precisely why Japanese people who can create a little laughter leave an impression.

However, there is no need to force yourself to be like a comedian.

What is important is to lean a little toward the other person's sense of humor.

Don't bring Japanese comedy sense as it is.
Look at the atmosphere of the Vietnamese room and use easy-to-understand jokes.
Drop it where the other person can easily laugh.
Make fun of yourself a little to get a laugh.

Don't hurt the other person.

Loosen up a little at drinking parties.
Maintain dignity in work settings.
This balance is important.
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Tips for Japanese people when trying to get a laugh in Vietnam

In my experience, if a Japanese person wants to get a laugh in Vietnam, it is good to be conscious of these things first.

The first is to make fun of yourself a little.
It is safer to use yourself as the subject of the joke than to tease Vietnamese people.
"My Vietnamese is still at a baby level."
"I'm scared because if I mispronounce it, it means something completely different."

"I'm still losing to the heat in Vietnam."

"When I eat spicy food, it shows on my face immediately."

This kind of light self-deprecation is easy to use.

The second is to make your reactions bigger.

Japanese people tend to have small reactions.

But in Vietnam, it is easier to get across if they are a little bigger.
The third is not to use difficult analogies.
Japanese celebrities, manga, internet memes, comedian jokes, etc., will not get across if the other person doesn't know them.
The fourth is that love stories and failure stories are easy to use lightly.
Breakups, misunderstandings, language mistakes, cultural differences, etc., are easy to turn into laughter in Vietnam too.
However, it is better to avoid strongly teasing the other person's past or appearance.
The fifth is to match the other person's humor.

Look at the points where the other person is laughing, rather than whether you think it's funny.

In Vietnam, this is very important.

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Summary: Vietnamese humor is easier to understand than Japan's. But it's not simple

Vietnamese and Japanese people have different funny bones.

From a Japanese perspective, Vietnamese humor might look a little simple.

Laughing at bizarre settings.
Laughing at easy-to-understand dirty jokes.
Laughing at exaggerated reactions.
Laughing at skit-like flows.

Laughing even without deep setups or payoffs.

But that does not mean that Vietnamese people's humor is low.

It's just that Japanese comedy culture has developed in a quite unique way.
Vietnam has its own way of laughing.

Atmosphere of the room.

Sense of distance.

Clarity.

Bizarreness.

Slightly exaggerated expression.

Relaxed vibe at drinking parties.

Lightness that doesn't hurt the other person.

If you understand this, conversations with Vietnamese people will become much easier.

And when you become able to get a laugh, it becomes easier to build human relationships.

Whether at work, in life, in love, or in friendships, humor is very important.

Just being a serious Japanese person might leave some distance.

But if you can lean a little toward the other person's funny bone, the distance will shrink in an instant.
If you want to get a laugh in Vietnam, there is no need to bring high-level Japanese comedy as it is.
Rather, be a little clearer.
Be a little more exaggerated.
Make fun of yourself a little.
Don't hurt the other person.

Match the room.

This level is just right.

Lastly, just one thing.

The trick to getting a laugh in Vietnam is:
To change it into a form that the other person can laugh at, rather than saying what you think is funny.
Even jokes that would bomb among Japanese people can get a laugh in Vietnam.
Conversely, high-level jokes that work in Japan might not get across at all in Vietnam.
Therefore, those who work in Vietnam, live there, or want to get along with local people, please observe the funny bone on the ground.
At first, you might think,
"Wait, they're laughing at that?"

But that is also the fun of Vietnam.

Once you understand the funny bone, human relationships in Vietnam will become much easier.