The words of Vietnam

Vietnam — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Vietnam, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

“When eating the fruit, remember who planted the tree.”

Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“When drinking water, remember its source.”

Uống nước nhớ nguồn

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“With enough effort grinding iron, one day it becomes a needle.”

Có công mài sắt, có ngày nên kim

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“The whole leaf wraps the torn leaf.”

Lá lành đùm lá rách

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“One tree makes no hill; three trees together make a high mountain.”

Một cây làm chẳng nên non, ba cây chụm lại nên hòn núi cao

Source: Traditional Vietnamese folk verse (ca dao), public-domain oral tradition

“Near ink you turn black; near the lamp you turn bright.”

Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì sáng

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Travel a day's road and learn a basketful of wisdom.”

Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Without a teacher, how can you make anything of yourself?”

Không thầy đố mày làm nên

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Love others as you love your own body.”

Thương người như thể thương thân

Source: Traditional Vietnamese proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“O gourd, love the squash; though of different kinds, you share one trellis.”

Bầu ơi thương lấy bí cùng, tuy rằng khác giống nhưng chung một giàn

Source: Traditional Vietnamese folk verse (ca dao), public-domain oral tradition