Ca Dao Tuc Ngu: Vietnamese Proverbs and Folk Sayings

A Comprehensive Guide to Vietnamese Folk Wisdom

Vietnamese proverbs (tuc ngu) and folk verses (ca dao) represent centuries of accumulated wisdom passed down through generations. They are the distilled essence of Vietnamese culture — observations about life, nature, relationships, and the human condition, compressed into short, rhythmic, and memorable phrases.

Ca Dao are lyrical folk verses, often sung without instrumental accompaniment. They express emotions — love, longing, grief, humor — and paint pictures of daily Vietnamese life. Ca dao tend to be longer, more poetic, and more personal.

Tuc Ngu are proverbs proper — concise, pithy statements of folk wisdom about practical matters. They are the “rules of thumb” that Vietnamese people apply to everyday situations.

Together, ca dao and tuc ngu form the philosophical backbone of Vietnamese folk culture. They are quoted in conversation, used by parents to teach children, invoked by elders to settle disputes, and woven into literature and song. A Vietnamese person who speaks in ca dao tuc ngu is considered eloquent and wise.

A Note on Regional Variation

Vietnamese proverbs sometimes differ between the North (mien Bac), Central (mien Trung), and South (mien Nam). Southern Vietnamese speech tends to be more relaxed, direct, and colorful. Where a Northern proverb might be formal and literary, the Southern variant is often earthier and more humorous. This guide notes Southern variants where they are distinctive.

I. Life Wisdom (Tri Tue Cuoc Song)

These proverbs encapsulate fundamental truths about how life works — its unpredictability, its fairness, and the attitudes needed to navigate it.

1. Song co khuc, nguoi co luc

Vietnamese: Song co khuc, nguoi co luc. English: Rivers have bends; people have phases. Meaning: Just as a river does not flow in a straight line, human life has its ups and downs. Bad times will pass, and good times will come again. Usage: Used to comfort someone going through difficulty. A grandmother might say this to a grandchild who failed an exam or lost a job. It is one of the most commonly quoted proverbs in everyday Vietnamese speech.

2. Co cong mai sat co ngay nen kim

Vietnamese: Co cong mai sat co ngay nen kim. English: With effort to grind iron, one day it becomes a needle. Meaning: Persistence and patience will eventually yield results, no matter how impossible the task seems. Usage: Told to children and students to encourage perseverance. Equivalent to “Rome was not built in a day” or “Practice makes perfect.”

3. That bai la me thanh cong

Vietnamese: That bai la me thanh cong. English: Failure is the mother of success. Meaning: Every failure teaches a lesson that brings you closer to success. Do not fear failing — fear not trying. Usage: Extremely common in Vietnamese culture, used in schools, workplaces, and family conversations. Said after someone experiences a setback.

4. Muu su tai nhan, thanh su tai thien

Vietnamese: Muu su tai nhan, thanh su tai thien. English: Man proposes, Heaven disposes. Meaning: You can plan and work hard, but the final outcome is not entirely in your hands. There is always an element of fate or luck. Usage: Used when plans do not work out despite best efforts. Reflects the Vietnamese acceptance of fate (so phan) alongside personal responsibility.

5. Van su khoi dau nan

Vietnamese: Van su khoi dau nan. English: All things are difficult at the beginning. Meaning: The hardest part of any endeavor is starting. Once you begin, momentum carries you forward. Usage: Encouragement for someone hesitating to start something new — a business, a relationship, a move to a new city.

6. Cai kho lo cai khon

Vietnamese: Cai kho lo cai khon. English: From difficulty, cleverness emerges. Meaning: Adversity breeds ingenuity. When you are pushed into a corner, you find creative solutions. Usage: Said admiringly when someone finds a clever workaround to a problem. Similar to “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

7. Treo cao, te dau

Vietnamese: Treo cao, te dau. English: Climb high, fall hard. Meaning: The higher your position or ambition, the greater the consequences if you fail or act arrogantly. Usage: A warning against hubris. Said about politicians, business people, or anyone whose success has made them careless. Similar to “Pride goes before a fall.”

8. Nuoc den chan moi nhay

Vietnamese: Nuoc den chan moi nhay. English: Only jump when the water reaches your feet. Meaning: People often wait until the last possible moment — until crisis is upon them — before taking action. Usage: Can be used critically (procrastination) or descriptively (acknowledging human nature). In Southern Vietnam, people might say this with a laugh about themselves.

9. Di mot ngay dang, hoc mot sang khon

Vietnamese: Di mot ngay dang, hoc mot sang khon. English: Travel one day of road, learn a basket of wisdom. Meaning: Experience through travel and new encounters teaches more than staying in one place. Usage: Encouragement to explore, travel, and expose oneself to new situations. Reflects Vietnamese respect for experiential learning.

10. Hoc an, hoc noi, hoc goi, hoc mo

Vietnamese: Hoc an, hoc noi, hoc goi, hoc mo. English: Learn to eat, learn to speak, learn to wrap, learn to unwrap. Meaning: Everything in life requires learning — even basic things like how to eat properly and speak appropriately. There is always more to learn. Usage: Taught to children as a foundational lesson in manners and humility. Emphasizes that social skills and etiquette must be consciously cultivated.

11. Doi nguoi nhu giong nuoc chay

Vietnamese: Doi nguoi nhu giong nuoc chay, ai hay ngap ngung de ngay qua di. English: Life is like flowing water; hesitate and the day passes you by. Meaning: Time waits for no one. Do not waste your life in indecision. Usage: A ca dao verse urging action and decisiveness, often quoted to young people at crossroads in life.

II. Relationships and Family (Tinh Cam Gia Dinh)

Family is the bedrock of Vietnamese society. These proverbs reflect the profound importance of filial piety, marital harmony, and social bonds.

12. Thuong cho roi, ghet cho ngot

Vietnamese: Thuong cho roi, ghet cho ngot. (Also: Thuong cho roi cho vot, ghet cho ngot cho bui.) English: Love gives the rod; hate gives sweet words. Meaning: Those who truly love you will discipline you and tell you hard truths. Those who flatter you may not have your best interests at heart. Usage: Said by parents justifying strict discipline, or by anyone defending tough love. One of the most culturally significant Vietnamese proverbs about parenting.

13. Thuan vo thuan chong, tat bien Dong cung can

Vietnamese: Thuan vo thuan chong, tat bien Dong cung can. English: When husband and wife agree, they can drain the East Sea dry. Meaning: A harmonious marriage can overcome any obstacle. Unity between partners makes the impossible possible. Usage: One of the most famous Vietnamese proverbs about marriage. Quoted at weddings, in marital counseling, and whenever discussing the power of partnership.

14. Mot giot mau dao hon ao nuoc la

Vietnamese: Mot giot mau dao hon ao nuoc la. English: One drop of blood is worth more than a pond of plain water. Meaning: Blood ties — family bonds — are stronger and more valuable than any other relationship. Usage: Invoked when family loyalty is tested, or when reminding someone that family comes first despite disagreements.

15. Con co cha nhu nha co noc

Vietnamese: Con co cha nhu nha co noc. English: A child with a father is like a house with a roof. Meaning: A father provides protection, guidance, and structure, just as a roof shelters a house. Usage: Reflects the Confucian value of paternal authority. Often said sympathetically about fatherless children, or gratefully by those who had strong fathers.

16. Cay co coi, nuoc co nguon

Vietnamese: Cay co coi, nuoc co nguon. English: Trees have roots; water has a source. Meaning: Everything has an origin. Know where you come from. Honor your ancestors and your family lineage. Usage: Said during ancestor worship, family reunions, or when reminding someone of their heritage. Deeply connected to Vietnamese ancestor veneration.

17. An qua nho ke trong cay

Vietnamese: An qua nho ke trong cay. English: When eating fruit, remember who planted the tree. Meaning: Never forget the people who helped you, sacrificed for you, or made your success possible. Usage: One of the most quoted Vietnamese proverbs. Used to teach gratitude. Often paired with: “Uong nuoc nho nguon” (When drinking water, remember the source).

18. Cong cha nhu nui Thai Son, nghia me nhu nuoc trong nguon chay ra

Vietnamese: Cong cha nhu nui Thai Son, nghia me nhu nuoc trong nguon chay ra. Mot long tho me kinh cha, cho tron chu hieu moi la dao con. English: A father’s merit is as great as Mount Thai Son; a mother’s love is like water flowing from its source. With all your heart, respect your father and love your mother — fulfilling filial piety is the way of being a good child. Meaning: This ca dao is perhaps the single most important verse in Vietnamese culture about family. It elevates parental devotion to the level of mountains and oceans, and commands filial piety (chu hieu) as the highest moral duty. Usage: Taught to every Vietnamese child. Recited at school. Quoted on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. This verse is the emotional foundation of Vietnamese family values.

19. Anh em nhu the tay chan, rach lanh dung bo, kho nan dung lia

Vietnamese: Anh em nhu the tay chan, rach lanh dung bo, kho nan dung lia. English: Siblings are like hands and feet — in rags or warmth, never abandon; in hardship or disaster, never leave. Meaning: Brothers and sisters must stick together through everything. Your siblings are extensions of your own body. Usage: Quoted when siblings are in conflict, reminding them that family unity is non-negotiable.

20. Lay chong cho dang tam chong

Vietnamese: Lay chong cho dang tam chong, bo me em gia, cap dong ai nuoi? English: Marry a man worthy of the name “husband” — when my parents grow old, who will care for them? Meaning: A woman should choose a husband not for wealth or looks, but for character — someone who will also be a good son-in-law and help care for her aging parents. Usage: Advice from mothers to daughters about choosing a life partner. Reflects the Vietnamese expectation that a husband joins a broader family system, not just a couple.

21. Vo chong nhu dua be bo

Vietnamese: Vo chong nhu dua be bo, ca chay len doc be cho nhau di. English: Husband and wife are like a pair of rafts — when fish swim upstream, carry each other along. Meaning: Marriage is a partnership of mutual support, especially in difficult times. A Southern Vietnamese ca dao with a Mekong Delta flavor, using river imagery. Usage: Common in Southern Vietnam. The imagery of fish, rafts, and rivers reflects the water-bound life of the Mekong Delta. Southern note: This is distinctly a Southern ca dao — the imagery of dua be bo (rafts), ca chay (fish swimming), and doc (upstream current) comes from the riverine life of mien Tay (the Western region / Mekong Delta).

III. Money, Wealth, and Poverty (Tien Bac Va Ngheo Kho)

Vietnamese culture has a complex relationship with money — respecting hard work and thrift while warning against greed and materialism.

22. Co tien mua tien cung duoc

Vietnamese: Co tien mua tien cung duoc. English: With money, you can buy even the immortals. Meaning: Money has enormous power — it can buy almost anything, including things that should not be for sale (loyalty, justice, etc.). Usage: Said with a mix of cynicism and realism. Not celebratory — more of a bitter observation about corruption and the power of wealth.

23. Dong tien di truoc la dong tien khon

Vietnamese: Dong tien di truoc la dong tien khon. English: The coin that goes first is the wise coin. Meaning: The money spent on bribes, gifts, or “greasing the wheels” is often the most effective expenditure. Alternatively: invest early and wisely. Usage: A pragmatic (sometimes cynical) observation about how things get done. Can also mean that proactive spending (investing, preparing) is smarter than reactive spending.

24. Lieu com gap mam

Vietnamese: Lieu com gap mam. English: Match your rice to your side dishes. Meaning: Live within your means. Do not spend more than you earn. Adjust your expectations to your resources. Usage: Financial advice from parents to children, especially newlyweds setting up a household. Equivalent to “Cut your coat according to your cloth.”

25. Tham bat bo mam

Vietnamese: Tham bat bo mam. English: Greedy for the bowl, you lose the whole tray. Meaning: Chasing a small gain greedily, you lose the bigger picture. Greed leads to greater loss. Usage: Warning against short-sighted greed. Said when someone sacrifices something valuable for a quick buck.

26. Cua thien tra dia

Vietnamese: Cua thien tra dia. English: Heaven’s wealth returns to earth. Meaning: Ill-gotten gains do not last. What comes easily goes easily. Wealth acquired dishonestly will eventually be lost. Usage: A karmic observation. Said when someone who got rich through dishonest means loses their fortune.

27. Kheo an thi no, kheo co thi am

Vietnamese: Kheo an thi no, kheo co thi am. English: Eat skillfully and you will be full; dress skillfully and you will be warm. Meaning: It is not about having much, but about being wise with what you have. Resourcefulness matters more than abundance. Usage: Practical wisdom about household management. Often told to young wives or anyone learning to manage a budget.

28. Mot mieng khi doi bang mot goi khi no

Vietnamese: Mot mieng khi doi bang mot goi khi no. English: One morsel when hungry is worth a whole package when full. Meaning: Help given in someone’s time of need is worth far more than lavish gifts when they are already comfortable. Usage: Encourages timely generosity. Also a reminder to appreciate small kindnesses during hard times.

29. Giau nhan nghia, nghia giau tien

Vietnamese: Giau nhan nghia, nghia giau tien. (Also: Giau vi ban, sang vi vo.) English: Rich in virtue surpasses rich in money. (Also: Wealth comes from friends, nobility from one’s wife.) Meaning: True wealth is in character and relationships, not in bank accounts. Usage: A philosophical counterweight to materialism. The second variant is Southern Vietnamese, reflecting the practical Southern view that a good spouse and loyal friends are the real foundations of prosperity.

IV. Hard Work and Perseverance (Cham Chi Lao Dong)

Vietnam is an agricultural society at its roots. These proverbs celebrate labor, effort, and resilience.

30. Tan lam ma an, tao doi ma chiu

Vietnamese: Tan lam ma an, tao doi ma chiu. (Also: Tay lam ham nhai, tay quai mieng tre.) English: Work hard and eat; be lazy and go hungry. Meaning: There is no substitute for hard work. Your reward is proportional to your effort. Usage: Fundamental Vietnamese work ethic distilled into a single line. The variant “Tay lam ham nhai, tay quai mieng tre” (Working hands chew full; idle hands gape open) is vivid Southern imagery.

31. Nhat nghe tinh, nhat than vinh

Vietnamese: Nhat nghe tinh, nhat than vinh. English: Master one trade, and your whole life will be glorious. Meaning: Depth of skill in one craft is more valuable than shallow knowledge of many. Specialization leads to mastery and respect. Usage: Career advice, especially for young people tempted to chase every opportunity rather than develop expertise.

32. Co chi lam quan, co gan lam giau

Vietnamese: Co chi lam quan, co gan lam giau. English: With ambition, become a mandarin; with courage, become rich. Meaning: Success requires both aspiration and bravery. Those who dare will achieve. Usage: Entrepreneurial encouragement. Reflects the Vietnamese respect for both scholarly achievement (lam quan — becoming an official) and commercial success (lam giau — getting rich).

33. Nhai ky no lau, cay sau tot lua

Vietnamese: Nhai ky no lau, cay sau tot lua. English: Chew thoroughly and stay full longer; plow deep and grow better rice. Meaning: Careful, thorough effort yields better and more lasting results than rushing through tasks. Usage: Agricultural wisdom applied to all aspects of life. A reminder to do things properly rather than quickly.

34. Lam ruong an com, lai hom an chao

Vietnamese: Lam ruong an com, lai hom an chao. (Variant.) English: Farm the fields, eat rice; work only the edges, eat porridge. Meaning: The quality and scope of your effort determines the quality of your life. Half-hearted work yields meager results. Usage: Practical farming wisdom that generalizes to any profession.

35. Khong co viec gi kho, chi so long khong ben

Vietnamese: Khong co viec gi kho, chi so long khong ben. English: Nothing is truly difficult; the only fear is a heart that is not persistent. Meaning: No task is impossible if your will is strong enough. The obstacle is never the task itself — it is your own lack of resolve. Usage: Inspirational. Quoted in schools and motivational contexts. Adapted from a Ho Chi Minh quote but rooted in folk wisdom.

V. Nature, Weather, and Agriculture (Thien Nhien Va Nong Nghiep)

In an agricultural society, reading nature is survival. These proverbs encode generations of ecological knowledge.

36. Kiem troi keu la troi hanh

Vietnamese: Chuon chuon bay thap thi mua, bay cao thi nang, bay vua thi ram. English: When dragonflies fly low, it will rain; fly high, it will be sunny; fly at medium height, it will be overcast. Meaning: Dragonflies are natural barometers. Their flight altitude predicts the weather. Usage: Genuine folk meteorology passed down by farmers. Vietnamese children are taught this early. Remarkably, there is scientific basis — air pressure changes before rain affect insect flight patterns.

37. Thang bay nuoc nhay len bo

Vietnamese: Thang bay nuoc nhay len bo. English: In the seventh month, water jumps onto the banks. Meaning: The seventh lunar month (roughly August-September) is flood season. Rivers overflow their banks. Usage: Agricultural planning. Farmers prepare for flooding during this period. Connected to the legend of Son Tinh - Thuy Tinh, where the Water God attacks every year in the seventh month.

38. Nang tot dua, mua tot lua

Vietnamese: Nang tot dua, mua tot lua. English: Sunshine is good for coconuts; rain is good for rice. Meaning: Different things thrive under different conditions. What is harmful to one may benefit another. Usage: Agricultural knowledge, but also a philosophical observation about perspective. A rainy day that ruins your picnic is a blessing for the farmer.

39. Troi nong chan co, troi tro chan tay

Vietnamese: Troi nong chan co, troi tro chan tay. (Southern variant: Troi nang gat co, troi mat gat lua.) English: Hot weather stops the grass; cool weather stops the limbs. Meaning: Extreme heat makes you want to rest in the shade; cool weather makes your body stiff and lazy. Both extremes discourage work. Usage: A humorous observation about the weather’s effect on productivity. The Southern variant specifically relates to harvesting.

40. Nhieu sao thi nang, vang sao thi mua

Vietnamese: Nhieu sao thi nang, vang sao thi mua. English: Many stars mean sunshine; few stars mean rain. Meaning: A clear, star-filled sky at night predicts good weather the next day. A cloudy, starless sky means rain is coming. Usage: Traditional weather forecasting. Farmers check the night sky before planning the next day’s work.

41. Gio bac tang, gio nam tang den

Vietnamese: Gio bac tang lanh, gio nam tang nong. (Or: Gio heo may, troi tro lanh.) English: North wind brings cold; south wind brings heat. (The heo may wind means cold weather is coming.) Meaning: Wind direction predicts temperature changes. Usage: Seasonal awareness. In Southern Vietnam, the gio heo may (a specific cool wind) signals the arrival of the cooler dry season, which Southern people find particularly pleasant.

VI. Food, Eating, and Hospitality (An Uong Va Hieu Khach)

Vietnamese culture is deeply food-centric. These proverbs reflect the central role of meals, rice, and hospitality.

42. An com moi, noi chuyen cu

Vietnamese: An com moi, noi chuyen cu. English: Eat new rice, tell old stories. Meaning: The dinner table is the place for storytelling, reminiscing, and connecting with tradition. New harvests are occasions to recall old memories. Usage: Describes the Vietnamese tradition of family meals as a time for bonding and passing down stories. Especially meaningful during harvest festivals.

43. Hoc an, hoc noi, hoc goi, hoc mo

Vietnamese: Hoc an, hoc noi, hoc goi, hoc mo. English: Learn to eat, learn to speak, learn to wrap, learn to unwrap. Meaning: Even the most basic human activities require learning and refinement. Eating properly (not sloppily), speaking appropriately (not rudely), and handling things with care are all skills. Usage: Foundational manners. Taught to Vietnamese children from a very young age.

44. Mieng an la mieng nhuc

Vietnamese: Mieng an la mieng nhuc. English: Each bite of food is a bite of shame. Meaning: Depending on others for food is humiliating. Self-sufficiency in providing for yourself is a matter of dignity. Usage: A stern reminder about self-reliance. Said when someone is freeloading or dependent. Also used more broadly to mean that accepting favors creates obligations.

45. Con sau bo dau noi canh

Vietnamese: Con sau bo dau noi canh. English: One worm spoils the whole pot of soup. Meaning: One bad element can ruin everything. One dishonest person can destroy a group’s reputation. Usage: Warning about the damage a single bad actor can do. Equivalent to “One bad apple spoils the barrel.”

46. An trom qua, khong giu duoc mui

Vietnamese: An cap quen tay, ngay cung nhu dem. English: Stealing becomes a habit; day or night makes no difference. Meaning: Once you start down a dishonest path, it becomes harder and harder to stop. Bad habits escalate. Usage: Warning against even small acts of dishonesty, because they lead to larger ones.

VII. Humor, Wit, and Satire (Hai Huoc Va Trao Phung)

Vietnamese humor is sharp, observational, and often self-deprecating. These proverbs and sayings bring laughter while delivering truth.

47. Thung rong keu to

Vietnamese: Thung rong keu to. English: Empty barrels make the loudest noise. Meaning: Those who know the least talk the most. The most ignorant people are often the loudest and most opinionated. Usage: A sharp put-down for blowhards and show-offs. Said behind someone’s back (or sometimes to their face) when they are boasting without substance. Universal humor.

48. Nuoc do dau vit

Vietnamese: Nuoc do dau vit. English: Water poured on a duck’s head. Meaning: Completely pointless. The advice or criticism has no effect whatsoever, just like water rolling off a duck’s waterproof feathers. Usage: Said about someone who is stubbornly impervious to feedback, correction, or instruction. Often used with exasperation but also with humor.

49. Bat ca hai tay

Vietnamese: Bat ca hai tay. English: Catching fish with both hands. Meaning: Trying to have it both ways, typically in romantic relationships — dating two people at once. Greedily pursuing two things and risking losing both. Usage: Commonly used to describe someone who is two-timing in a relationship, or more broadly, someone who cannot commit to a single course of action. Said with a mix of disapproval and amusement.

50. Chuot chay cuoi kheo

Vietnamese: Chuot chay cuoi kheo. (Variant: Cuoi nguoi hom truoc, hom sau nguoi cuoi.) English: A running mouse laughs at a clever one. (Also: Laugh at others today, tomorrow others laugh at you.) Meaning: Do not mock others, because your turn to be mocked will come. Karma is real. Usage: A warning against schadenfreude. The image of a mouse laughing is inherently funny, which is part of the charm.

51. Xau nguoi dep net

Vietnamese: Xau nguoi dep net. (Also: Tot go hon tot nuoc son.) English: Ugly in appearance, beautiful in character. (Also: Good wood is better than good paint.) Meaning: Inner beauty and character matter more than outward appearance. Do not judge by looks. Usage: Consolation for someone who feels unattractive, or a compliment to someone whose kindness outshines their appearance. The “good wood” variant is often quoted when choosing a spouse.

52. Dui lam sang mat

Vietnamese: Lam toi lam phan khong bang chan nan mat. English: Being a servant is not as bad as losing face. Meaning: Vietnamese people would rather endure hardship than suffer public humiliation. Saving face (giu the dien) is paramount. Usage: Reflects the deep cultural importance of honor and reputation in Vietnamese society. Often quoted to explain why someone chose a difficult path over an easy but embarrassing one.

53. Mot con ngua dau, ca tau bo co

Vietnamese: Mot con ngua dau, ca tau bo co. English: One horse is sick, the whole stable stops eating. Meaning: When one person in a group suffers, everyone is affected. Community bonds are so strong that one person’s misfortune brings shared grief. Usage: Can be positive (showing solidarity) or negative (one person’s problem drags everyone down). The humor comes from imagining a whole stable of horses going on a sympathy hunger strike.

54. Binh cu ruou moi

Vietnamese: Binh cu ruou moi. English: Old bottle, new wine. Meaning: Same packaging, different content. Something presented as new but essentially unchanged. Or the reverse — the same exterior hiding a genuine transformation. Usage: Often used sarcastically about government reforms, rebranded products, or people who claim to have changed but have not. Can also describe positive renovation.

55. Con trau la dau co nghiep

Vietnamese: Con trau la dau co nghiep. English: The buffalo is the foundation of farming. Meaning: The water buffalo was the most important asset for a Vietnamese farming family — without it, you could not plow. Usage: Historically literal, now used metaphorically for whatever is the essential foundation of one’s livelihood. Reflects Vietnam’s deep agricultural roots.

VIII. Southern Vietnamese Sayings (Ca Dao Mien Nam)

Southern Vietnamese culture, shaped by the Mekong Delta’s rivers, orchards, and open frontier spirit, has produced distinctive folk sayings with their own flavor.

56. Di dau cho thiet than ta, o nha thi dep nhu hoa ngoai dong

Vietnamese: Di dau cho thiet than ta, o nha thi dep nhu hoa ngoai dong. English: Why wander far and wear yourself out? Staying home, you are beautiful as a flower in the field. Meaning: There is value in contentment and staying close to home. But also carries the wistful tone of someone who has left and misses home deeply. Usage: A Southern ca dao expressing homesickness and love for one’s homeland. The Mekong Delta’s lush, flowering landscape is the backdrop.

57. Ben co cay trum, ben co cay sung. Nho ai ra ngoi goc sung, doi ba tat nuoc nhu khong nho ai

Vietnamese: Ben co cay trum, ben co cay sung. Nho ai ra ngoi goc sung, doi ba tat nuoc nhu khong nho ai. English: On this bank, the trum tree; on that bank, the sung tree. Missing someone, sitting by the sung tree — bailing two or three buckets of water as if missing no one. Meaning: A love poem from the Mekong Delta. The speaker pretends to be working (bailing water) but is really sitting by the river, lost in thoughts of a loved one. Usage: Classic Southern ca dao. The imagery of river banks, trees, and bailing water is distinctly mien Tay (Western region). Captures the subtle, indirect way Southern Vietnamese express love.

58. Song Saigon nuoc chay chia hai

Vietnamese: Song Saigon nuoc chay chia hai, ai ve Gia Dinh, Dong Nai thi ve. English: The Saigon River’s waters split in two — whoever returns to Gia Dinh or Dong Nai, go ahead. Meaning: A geographic folk verse about the Saigon River and the regions it connects. Carries a sense of departure and journey. Usage: Historical ca dao from the Southern frontier period, when settlers were moving into the Gia Dinh - Dong Nai region (present-day Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces).

59. Mien Nam la xu dua xoi

Vietnamese: Cay dua la mien Tay, xanh um bong mat chua day dua hau. English: The coconut tree is the Western region, lush shade not yet full of watermelons. Meaning: The Mekong Delta is a land of abundance — coconuts, fruit, and natural bounty. Usage: A celebration of the Mekong Delta’s fertility and richness. Southern Vietnamese take deep pride in their region’s agricultural abundance.

60. O bau thi tron, o ong thi dai

Vietnamese: O bau thi tron, o ong thi dai. English: In a gourd, you become round; in a tube, you become long. Meaning: You take the shape of your environment. You become like the people you surround yourself with. Usage: Used to advise choosing friends and environments carefully. If you hang around good people, you become good; if you surround yourself with bad influences, you become bad. Equivalent to “You are the company you keep.”

IX. Knowledge, Education, and Speech (Hoc Van Va Loi Noi)

Vietnamese culture reveres learning and places great weight on the power of words.

61. Mot cay lam chang nen non, ba cay chum lai nen hon nui cao

Vietnamese: Mot cay lam chang nen non, ba cay chum lai nen hon nui cao. English: One tree cannot make a hill, but three trees together can make a tall mountain. Meaning: Unity is strength. Alone you are weak, but together you can accomplish great things. Usage: One of the most frequently quoted Vietnamese proverbs about solidarity and teamwork. Used in politics, business, community organizing, and family.

62. Loi noi chang mat tien mua, lua loi ma noi cho vua long nhau

Vietnamese: Loi noi chang mat tien mua, lua loi ma noi cho vua long nhau. English: Words cost nothing to buy; choose them carefully to please each other. Meaning: Kind words are free but priceless. Since speaking well costs you nothing, there is no excuse for being rude or hurtful. Usage: A plea for verbal kindness and diplomacy. Reflects the Vietnamese emphasis on harmony (hoa thuan) in social interactions.

63. Hoc thay khong tay hoc ban

Vietnamese: Hoc thay khong tay hoc ban. English: Learning from a teacher is not as good as learning from friends. Meaning: Peer learning and real-world experience often teach more effectively than formal instruction. Usage: Encourages learning from many sources, not just authority figures. Also validates informal and experiential learning.

64. Khong thay do may lam nen

Vietnamese: Khong thay do may lam nen. English: Without a teacher, you cannot succeed. Meaning: Everyone needs mentorship and guidance. Respect your teachers. Usage: The apparent contradiction with proverb #63 above is intentional — Vietnamese wisdom holds both truths simultaneously. You need teachers AND peers AND self-learning. The emphasis depends on context.

65. Bat nhan tam bat kha, suy ky te moi la chon tu

Vietnamese: Uong nuoc nho nguon. English: When drinking water, remember the source. Meaning: Never forget those who helped you. Always acknowledge your origins and benefactors. Usage: Paired with “An qua nho ke trong cay” (proverb #17). Together, they form a two-part statement of gratitude that is among the most fundamental values in Vietnamese culture.

X. Character, Virtue, and Morality (Dao Duc Va Nhan Cach)

These proverbs define what Vietnamese culture considers a good person.

66. Tot danh hon lanh ao

Vietnamese: Tot danh hon lanh ao. English: A good name is better than a fine garment. Meaning: Reputation and honor are more valuable than material possessions or outward appearance. Usage: Core Vietnamese value. Reflects the deep importance of face (the dien) and social reputation. A person would rather be poor with a good name than rich with a bad one.

67. Chet vinh con hon song nhuc

Vietnamese: Chet vinh con hon song nhuc. English: Better to die with honor than live in shame. Meaning: An honorable death is preferable to a life of humiliation. Dignity is more important than survival. Usage: A strong statement of Vietnamese values around honor. Historically invoked in times of war and resistance. Also used in everyday life about standing on principle.

68. Noi lon, khong phai lon

Vietnamese: Mat nguoi lon, loi nguoi nho. English: The face of an adult, the words of a child. Meaning: An adult who speaks irresponsibly or foolishly has the maturity of a child despite their grown-up appearance. Usage: A cutting insult about someone who should know better. Also used self-deprecatingly when you say something stupid.

69. Gieo gio gat bao

Vietnamese: Gieo gio gat bao. English: Sow the wind, reap the storm. Meaning: If you cause trouble, you will face even greater consequences. Your actions create their own karma. Usage: Warning about the consequences of reckless behavior. Interestingly, this proverb has direct equivalents in many languages and cultures, reflecting universal human understanding of cause and effect.

70. Lam phuoc duoc phuoc, lam ac gap ac

Vietnamese: Lam phuoc duoc phuoc, lam ac gap ac. (Southern variant common.) English: Do good, receive good; do evil, meet evil. Meaning: Karma. What goes around comes around. Your moral choices determine your fate. Usage: This version is particularly common in Southern Vietnam, where Buddhist influence is strong. “Lam phuoc” is distinctly Southern vocabulary (Northern Vietnamese might say “lam phuc”). Southern note: The word “phuoc” (Southern) vs. “phuc” (Northern) for “merit/blessing” is a classic North-South pronunciation difference that shows up in many proverbs.

XI. Additional Proverbs of Note

71. Khon nho dai nhu

Vietnamese: Khon nho, dai nhu. (Or: Khon nho dai cho.) English: Clever like a mouse, foolish like a pig. Meaning: Describes someone who is shrewd in small matters but foolish in big ones. Being “clever” in petty ways while missing the bigger picture. Usage: A common observation about penny-wise, pound-foolish behavior.

72. Tien mat tat mang

Vietnamese: Tien mat tat mang. English: Money lost, trust gone. Meaning: Financial transactions can destroy relationships. Once money is involved and things go wrong, goodwill vanishes. Usage: Warning against lending money to friends or family. One of the most practically quoted Vietnamese proverbs.

73. Cha me sinh con, troi sinh tinh

Vietnamese: Cha me sinh con, troi sinh tinh. English: Parents give birth to the child, but Heaven gives the character. Meaning: You can give your child life, but their personality and nature are their own. Every child is unique and has their own destiny. Usage: Philosophical acceptance that children may turn out differently from parental expectations.

74. Trong nha chua to, ngoai ngo da tuong

Vietnamese: Trong nha chua to, ngoai ngo da tuong. (Southern: Trong nha chua yen, ngoai ngo da chien.) English: The house is not yet clean, but the alley already knows. (Southern: The house is not yet settled, but the alley is already at war.) Meaning: People are quick to gossip about others’ problems before addressing their own. Or: domestic problems quickly become public knowledge. Usage: A humorous warning about keeping family matters private. The Southern variant is more dramatic (“da chien” — already at war), reflecting Southern directness.

75. Ai oi bung duc thi trong, di cho nhe nhang thi dong ban mua

Vietnamese: Ai oi bung duc thi trong, di cho nhe nhang thi dong ban mua. English: O friend, let the muddy water settle and it will become clear; go gently to market and you will find many buyers. Meaning: Patience and a calm approach bring better results. Rush and you will fail; be gentle and opportunities will come. Usage: A beautiful ca dao about patience in all things — business, relationships, conflict resolution.

How Ca Dao Tuc Ngu Are Used in Daily Life

In Conversation

Vietnamese people naturally weave proverbs into everyday speech. An elder giving advice will often say “Ong ba minh noi…” (Our grandparents used to say…) before quoting a proverb. This lends authority and timelessness to the advice.

In Parenting

Children grow up hearing these proverbs repeatedly. They are a primary vehicle for moral education, replacing long lectures with concise, memorable wisdom.

In Literature and Song

Ca dao form the lyrics of folk songs across all three regions of Vietnam. Modern Vietnamese poetry and music continue to reference and rework these traditional verses.

In Conflict Resolution

When two parties are in disagreement, a well-placed proverb can defuse tension by reframing the conflict in terms of shared cultural wisdom. It is hard to argue with something “ong ba minh da noi” (our grandparents already said).

Southern Vietnamese Communication Style

In the South, proverbs tend to be delivered with more humor and less formality. Southern Vietnamese are known for their straight-talking, warm, and humorous communication style. A Southerner might quote a proverb with a laugh and a wave of the hand, while a Northerner might deliver the same proverb with more gravity. Both approaches honor the wisdom; they simply reflect regional personality.

Glossary of Key Terms

Vietnamese	English
Ca dao	Folk verse/song
Tuc ngu	Proverb
Thanh ngu	Idiom/saying
Mien Bac	Northern Vietnam
Mien Trung	Central Vietnam
Mien Nam	Southern Vietnam
Mien Tay	Western region (Mekong Delta)
Chu hieu	Filial piety
The dien	Face (social reputation)
So phan	Fate/destiny
Nhan nghia	Virtue and righteousness
Ong ba	Grandparents/ancestors
Bui doi	Dust of life (street life)

References and Sources

This article draws on the rich tradition of Vietnamese oral culture as documented in: