Fun and Fascinating Vietnam: A Kid’s Journey Through Culture

Vietnam is a country full of color, tradition, and exciting experiences. From its delicious food to its joyful holidays, Vietnam offers many ways for children to explore culture, family life, and fun. In this article, we’ll take a journey through Vietnamese games, clothing, traditions, music, food, and more—all in a way that kids can enjoy and understand!

Let’s Play! Traditional Vietnamese Children’s Games

Vietnamese games are full of movement and imagination. Here are some favorites:

Meo Duoi Chait
Known as the Vietnamese version of “cat and mouse,” this game involves a circle of children holding hands to form “mouse holes.” One child is the cat and one is the mouse. When the song ends, the chase begins!

Bit Mat Bat De
In this fun blindfold game, one child is the “goat” and another is the catcher. Everyone else forms a circle. Both players are blindfolded, and the catcher must follow the goat’s “baugh” sounds to catch them!

Dem Nhung Con Vit
This counting game involves numbered ducks floating in water. Kids race to find the ducks in the correct order.

Top 3 Must-Eat Vietnamese Foods

Pho
Vietnam’s most beloved noodle soup! Made with beef or chicken, broth, and rice noodles, pho is enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Gio Lua
This meat pie is wrapped in banana leaves and filled with seasoned meat and vegetables. It’s soft, fragrant, and a traditional favorite.

Com (Rice)
Boiled rice is a must-have with almost every Vietnamese meal. It’s usually served with meats or vegetables.

Sweet Treats: Vietnamese Desserts

Che
A sweet pudding made from bananas, beans, tapioca, and coconut milk.

Xoi
Glutinous rice mixed with fruits or milk. In mountain areas, it’s even eaten as a main meal!

Rau Cau
Vietnamese-style Jello made from seaweed-based agar agar and coconut juice.

Simple Vietnamese Recipes Kids Can Try

Vietnamese Cabbage Stir-Fry
Made with cabbage, garlic, egg, and fish sauce, this quick dish is healthy and flavorful.

Vietnamese Meatballs
Mix ground meat with garlic, soy sauce, and spices. Roll into balls, skewer, and broil!

Sautéed Salmon with Lime-Honey Sauce
This dish combines salmon, honey, lime, and cilantro for a refreshing meal.

Children’s Day in Vietnam

Tre Em Ngay (Children’s Day) is celebrated on June 1st each year. Kids receive gifts, enjoy fun trips, and feel celebrated—almost like a second birthday! It’s a special day to show children how much they are loved.

Surprising Fun Facts About Vietnam

• Population: Over 86 million people
• Life expectancy: 72 years
• One of the lowest unemployment rates
• National flower: Lotus
• Most popular sport: Football (soccer)
• Vietnam leads the world in rice consumption and export

Customs and Traditions of Vietnam

Vietnamese people value respect, modesty, and family. Speaking loudly or moving too much in public is considered impolite. Family names come first, and promises are taken very seriously. Most people speak Vietnamese, with English as a second language. Birthdays aren’t always celebrated, but family gatherings are very important.

3 Must-See Places in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay
With its blue waters and stunning islands, this is one of Vietnam’s most famous beach areas.

Hot Springs
People love to relax in these warm natural baths. It’s great for health and stress relief!

Hoi An
An ancient town full of charm and tradition, perfect for families who love history and beauty.

Celebrating Vietnamese Holidays and Festivals

Tet (Nguyen Dan)
Tet is the Vietnamese New Year and the biggest celebration of the year. Homes are decorated with flowers, debts are paid off, and families gather for special meals and fun.

Hai Ba Trung Day
On November 1st, Vietnam honors the Trung sisters, brave women who fought for Vietnam’s freedom nearly 2,000 years ago.

Thanh Minh
Similar to Memorial Day, families visit loved ones’ graves with food, flowers, and gifts to honor and remember them.

Vietnamese Clothing and Hats

Traditional clothes in Vietnam are elegant and full of history:

• Ao Ba Ba: Worn by men, this outfit includes silk pants and a long-sleeved silk shirt.
• Ao Yem: Worn by women, this diamond-shaped cloth is tied around the back.
• Ao Tu Than: A colorful, floor-length tunic that opens like a jacket, worn with a sash.
• Non La: The famous cone-shaped hat made from palm leaves, worn by both men and women to block the sun and rain.

The Sounds and Stories of Vietnam

Vietnamese music is influenced by Chinese traditions but has its own unique style. You can hear folk, ritual, pop, and even rock music across the country.

Famous Vietnamese Folk Tales:

• The Peasant, the Buffalo, and the Tiger: Explains how the tiger got its stripes and other life mysteries.
• Chu Cuoi: A magical story of a woodcutter who ends up on the moon with a healing tree.
• Under the Starfruit Tree: A tale that ties together all other Vietnamese folk tales.

Learn Vietnamese with Dinolingo

If your child wants to explore the Vietnamese language, Dinolingo offers an exciting way to start! With colorful videos, songs, games, and printable activities, Dinolingo helps children aged 2–14 learn Vietnamese in a fun and engaging way. The platform works on computers, tablets, and phones, and includes a parent dashboard, offline access, and rewards for progress. One subscription allows access for up to six users!