Most countries have a national anthem with which to express the pride of their country, to convey in it the cultural and historical stories of a nation, to be played on sacred or official occasions, and to represent the noble ideals that all people in the same country aspire to. Most national anthems of countries are public property according to the law. For example, when the American national anthem is performed or recorded during a broadcast of the National Football League (NFL), the NFL will own the reproduction, publishing, and performance rights to this particular show. Meanwhile, Singapore law stipulates that the national anthem can only be sung or performed on appropriate occasions. Individuals performing or singing the national... Show more

Do you remember being a kid? The world was bigger, and our imaginations seemed to cover more ground. Weekends, summer vacation, and holidays were the best thing ever! In Vietnam, International Children’s Day is one of those days that children look forward to all year long. In this article, you’ll learn all about this holiday and how the Vietnamese celebrate it each year; you’ll also pick up some handy vocab! Let’s get started. 1. What is International Children’s Day? Children’s Day, as we know it today, got its start in 1857 when a pastor from the U.S. state of Massachusetts gave a sermon for and about children. Many years later, in 1920, Turkey made Children’s Day a national holiday; the idea soon spread to many... Show more

International Workers’ Day is an important holiday in Vietnam, where workers can both have the day off of work and request better working conditions. In this article, you’ll learn about the history of Labor Day in Vietnam, how people take advantage of their day off, and some useful vocabulary. Let’s get started. 1. What is Labor Day? Labor Day originated in the United States in 1886 when workers demonstrated for better working conditions, more specifically, an eight-hour workday. In addition to the Haymarket Affair, this helped American workers eventually attain more rights and a better work environment. International Labor Day in Vietnam began in 1930. Led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnamese workers took to... Show more

In Vietnam, Hung Kings’ Temple Festival is a major national holiday. It commemorates the story of Vietnamese origins, celebrates the Hung Kings who helped make Vietnam what it is today, and is a strong reflection of Vietnamese culture. In this article, you’ll learn all about the Vietnamese Hung King Temple Festival, from its background to modern-day traditions. Let’s get started! 1. What is the Hung King’s Temple Festival? This day demonstrates the moral "when drinking water, remember its source." According to legend, Lac Long Quan and Au Co, who are the parents of the Hung Kings, are the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. The Hung Vuong period was a crucial stage in the nation's history, building the cultural... Show more

The Vietnamese Communist Party is at the root of the country’s growth and future goals, and is the single ruling body of Vietnam. In this article, you’ll learn about how the Communist Party of Vietnam has shaped Vietnam as a dân tộc, or "nation," and gain more information about the Party’s leadership. Are you ready to delve into one of the core aspects of Vietnamese culture and society? At VietnamesePod101.com, we make learning simple and relevant. Let’s get started! 1. What is Communist Party of Vietnam Founding Anniversary? On the Communist Party of Vietnam Founding Anniversary, the Vietnamese people commemorate the creation and implementation of the Đảng Cộng sản, or "Communist Party," of Vietnam. This Communist Party is... Show more

Do you have a teacher who made a huge positive impact on your life? Someone who patiently guided you through a topic or subject you struggled with, or encouraged you to pursue your passions and interests? If your answer is yes, then we don’t have to tell you the weight of gratitude that students may feel toward teachers. Each year in Vietnam, students show thanks, gratitude, and respect for their teachers on National Teacher’s Day. In this article, you’ll learn about why this is so significant to Vietnamese students and teachers, a little bit of history of Teacher’s Day in Vietnam, and how National Teacher’s Day is celebrated today. At VietnamesePod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun... Show more

In Vietnam, there’s a National Day of Remembrance each year. On this day, the country remembers and honors wounded Vietnam soldiers for their sacrifices during the country’s many wars. Learning about Vietnam Memorial Day for the Martyrs and Wounded Soldiers, you’re uncovering many layers of Vietnamese history and culture. This, in turn, will make your language-learning endeavors that much more meaningful to you, and much more successful in the long run. At VietnamesePod101.com, we hope to give you all the tools and support you need to master the Vietnamese language and truly understand its culture. Let’s get started. 1. What is Remembrance Day in Vietnam? During the wars, many Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed parts of... Show more

Ho Chi Minh (often called Uncle Ho or Uncle Ho Chi Minh), was a Vietnam President and one of the most influential people for the country. In honor of Uncle Ho, Vietnam celebrates his birthday each year. In this article, we’ll be going over the Ho Chi Minh holiday, one of the most important and widely celebrated Vietnam holidays today. In learning about Ho Chi Minh (leader, President, and beloved fighter for independence), you’re also allowing yourself to gain a deeper understanding of what values Vietnam holds closest to its heart, as well as its history. At VietnamesePod101.com, we hope to make learning about Vietnamese culture, like this Ho Chi Minh public holiday, both fun and informative! 1. What is President Ho Chi... Show more

The Vietnamese Tet Holiday is one of the country’s most important holidays and one of the most greatly celebrated. Tet Holiday is the Vietnamese celebration of the lunar new year. Even the days leading up to this holiday are full of Tet Holiday traditions, and many people use this time of Tet celebrations to relax and reflect upon the coming year. By learning about the Asian holiday Tet, you’re allowing yourself to discover so much about the country of Vietnam which will both help you learn the language and give you a greater appreciation for it. In this article, we’ll be going over Tet Holiday traditions, answering the question “What is Tet?” and even go over Tet Holiday vocabulary so you can learn the language in context. Let’s... Show more

Learn all the Vietnamese New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join VietnamesePod101 for a special Vietnamese New Year celebration! Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March - December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated. So, how do you say Happy New... Show more