• Solomon Islands!

    Solomon Islands: Looking up at palm trees. Go Now!

    Solomon Islands
    This Melanesian country is best known for its many islands and beaches... and this natural landscape (pictured) is why most people go. Don't miss out on the unique Melanesian culture and foods though! Begin Your Journey!

  • Tonga!

    Tonga: Coastline. Go Now!

    Tonga
    The heart of Polynesian culture is rooted in Tonga, but most visitors just come for the natural beauty. Explore Tonga!

  • Vanuatu!

    Vanuatu: Jetty into the ocean. Go Now!

    Vanuatu
    Picturesque serenity is a good way to describe Vanuatu, but the culture offers much more, including the inspiration for bungee jumping, which remains a rite of passage for young men. Explore Vanuatu!

  • Palau!

    Palau: "70 Islands!" Go Now!

    Palau
    Few people have even heard of this small Micronesian country, but those who have often return with stories of beauty unmatched elsewhere, such as view of the "70 Islands" (pictured). Go Now!

  • Explore the: Federated States of Micronesia!

    Federated States of Micronesia: Overlooking some islands. Go Now!

    Federated States of Micronesia
    This diverse country stretches for thousands of miles and has the diversity to prove it, including the people from Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap among others. Begin Your Journey!

  • Samoa!

    Samoa: A traditional home. Go Now!

    Samoa
    Among the most famous of the South Pacific's many countries, Samoa sits in the heart of Polynesia and has a culture to match. Begin Your Journey!

Social Life in Vanuatu

Behavior

The people of Vanuatu are very humble and modest as they rarely express themselves in a way to offend another. This comes in respecting other people, dressing modestly, avoiding outward signs of wealth or affection, and having a reverence for God as most people are Christian.

As a visitor to Vanuatu, that same modesty is expected; modesty in dress, actions, words, and every aspect of your life. Many of the most important behavioral restrictions to be aware of are related to dress, dating (see above for both), and dining (see our Vanuatu Food & Dining Page for more information). Also try to avoid being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting drunk in public.

Dress

The indigenous clothing found in Vanuatu is scarce to say the least. Men rarely wore anything above the waist with only a cloth or skirt-like sheet covering their bottom half. At times women also wore the same, going topless, although over time they began to cover up to a greater degree, but in a similar basic cloth that the men wore.

Today, partially due to the introduction of Christianity, the people in Vanuatu no longer wear such small clothing (except perhaps at some cultural events for tourists). The dress in Vanuatu today is somewhat conservative, but comfortable. Nearly every woman in the country wears a brightly colored floral dress every day of their lives. These dresses are light weight and loose fitting so are good in the heat, but are also long as they cover the shoulders and knees, which is considered appropriate to the many conservative Christians on the island. Men tend to dress casually as shorts and a t-shirt are fairly common. In Port-Vila a greater variety of western-styled clothing is being worn, especially by the foreign population.

When traveling to Vanuatu, be aware that you should match the locals in their fairly conservative dress. In resorts and even in Port-Vila there is some flexibility to this as swimwear such as bikinis are acceptable, but ask before donning anything that shows your shoulders, knees, or even reveals your figure. Outside these resorts and the capital women should never show their shoulders or knees, but men have more flexibility as shorts and t-shirts are quite common and acceptable.

This page was last updated: November, 2013