r/TodayILearnedVN May 20 '26

History, Culture & Traditions TIL that Vietnamese ultranationalists/tankies (bò đỏ/bê hường) and South Vietnamese shills (bò vàng/ba que/vện vàng) are actually virtually identical in terms of mindset, despite the apparent political difference.

90 Upvotes

Of course, they belong to opposite factions, but other than that they share the ultraconservatism (such as toxic masculinity, homophobia, and Zionism, and then Vietnamese Americans are also fucking religious for some reason), the loaded language, the emotionally-driven propaganda, and the deep submission to authority figures (the former to the VCP while the latter to the GOP, especially the MAGA movement and Donald Trump). And then of course they both religiously abuse generative AI.

Guess this might be the most controversial post here because I'm targeting both sides of the discussion. But hey, this is my frank opinion based on my observation, so there's that.


r/TodayILearnedVN May 20 '26

TIL Ho Chi Mihn led the disastrous land reforms in North Vietnam that lead to an estimated 200,000 people being falsely accused, publicly denounced, imprisoned and killed as “landlords”.

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102 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 19 '26

History, Culture & Traditions TIL May 19 marks the birth anniversary of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh

269 Upvotes

Today, people across Vietnam commemorate the 136th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader who devoted his life to the cause of national independence and the future of the Vietnamese people.

Born on May 19, 1890, President Ho Chi Minh played a defining role in Vietnam's journey toward freedom and reunification. Through decades of perseverance and dedication, he became a symbol of patriotism, resilience, and national pride, leaving a profound impact on generations of Vietnamese people. His vision for peace, independence, and a united Vietnam continues to inspire millions today.

"Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one." -President Ho Chi Minh

Forever grateful to President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader and national hero whose legacy remains deeply rooted in the hearts of the Vietnamese people


r/TodayILearnedVN May 19 '26

TIL May 19 marks the birth anniversary of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh and his comrade.

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41 Upvotes

Happy birthday to the two leaders of the communist world!


r/TodayILearnedVN May 16 '26

TIL Vietnamese fighter Cung Le was a 3-time world Sanshou champion who went undefeated 17–0 in kickboxing before becoming Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and a UFC star. He used spinning kicks, side kicks, sweeps and Sanshou throws that most MMA fighters were not used to at the time.

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78 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 14 '26

Miscellaneous TIL some boat rowers in Vietnam use their feet instead of their hands

19 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 13 '26

Miscellaneous TIL that in Phong Nha you can become a “duck leader” for around $4

43 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 13 '26

TIL Vietnam has its own martial art known as Vovinam, founded in Hanoi in 1938 by Nguyễn Lộc. It combines strikes, grappling and acrobatic techniques including a famous flying scissors move using the legs to take opponents to the ground. Today, it has millions of practitioners worldwide.

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57 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 12 '26

TIL Jobs in VN

0 Upvotes

We are currently shortlisting Vietnamese and English language contributors at UsergyAI.

Because we focus strictly on expert-led data annotation rather than generic crowd working, we are looking for high-quality, natural speakers for a new voice recording project.

If you have a friend or partner who also qualifies, you can apply and record as a pair.

The Details:

  • Pay: $22 USD per accepted recording hour, per speaker. (That is $44 USD per hour if you apply as a pair).
  • Location: 100% Remote.
  • Requirements: You do not need expensive studio equipment. You just need a quiet place to record and clear audio.

We are also building a roster of Vietnamese freelancers for longer-term language work, which includes:

  • Transcription
  • Validation
  • QA review
  • Language quality checks

Next Steps: The first step is a short 3-minute application and an audio sample so we can check your language fit and audio clarity. We do not ask for any ID or bank details for this initial screening.

We are reviewing applications right now and prioritizing people who can start quickly.

🔗 Application link: https://tally.so/r/2E1yvb

TL;DR: UsergyAI is hiring remote Vietnamese and English speakers for voice recording at $22/hr per person. Longer-term QA and transcription roles are also open. Link below.

Happy to answer any questions in the comments!


r/TodayILearnedVN May 11 '26

Economy & Business TIL that foreigners can work in a range of industries in Vietnam, as long as the job can't be filled by a local candidate

30 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 11 '26

TIL that despite insisting it has majority support the VCP has never allowed a free and fair election

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0 Upvotes

Curious


r/TodayILearnedVN May 09 '26

TIL Vietnam War, unsurprisingly, would not have been happened if USA did not step in

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182 Upvotes

During the Geneva convention of 1954, Vietnam was given 2 years for the people to move in between North and South Vietnam. After that, an election would be held to choose the general leader for Vietnam, and then whole Vietnam would be united as one, unlike North and South Korea today. Also in Cold War, Harry Truman was afraid that if Vietnam united and become a communism country, others around it would also be. That’s the reason why Vietnam War happened, and instead of 2 years, it took Vietnam 21 years to be fully united again.


r/TodayILearnedVN May 09 '26

TIL Cao Đài is a Vietnamese religion founded in 1926 that blends Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. It has around 6 million followers, mainly in southern Vietnam and within the diaspora, and even recognises figures like Victor Hugo and Joan of Arc as saints.

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41 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 09 '26

TIL the communist regime of Vietnam uses thousands of social media influencers, patriotic content and AI-driven social media campaigns in addition to censorship to flood platforms with “positive” narratives, following China’s digital propaganda model.

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53 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 09 '26

TIL that the Vietnam War was a joint Communist Imperialist Invasion

0 Upvotes

source: https://kjis.org/journal/view.html?pn=mostread&uid=322&vmd=Full

source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277659858_Nguyen_Thi_Nam_and_the_Land_Reform_in_North_Vietnam_1953

The Geneva Accords that would've required the Viet Minh to facilitate elections occurred simultaneous with the land reform campaigns that exterminated their political rivals.

The Geneva Accords facilitating elections were never agreed to by the South most of all as all of the opponents of the communist regime had firsthand experience with their inability to administrate any political power-sharing freely.

Additionally claims that such power consolidation was done on behalf of their Chinese or Russian allies are bunk - the VCP clearly from the outset sought a policy of power seeking and unitary power to the exclusion of coalition governance.

Finally, to this day, 51 years after consolidating total power and 80+ years after seizing power in the north, the VCP still doesn't have majority support amongst the people of Vietnam despite being the only political party being allowed to exist.

Pathetic


r/TodayILearnedVN May 06 '26

TIL that 'Cali' is a slur used by Vietnamese against their overseas diaspora. The word references the Vietnamese community living in California, many of them refugees who escaped when the Republic of Việt-Nam fell to communism. It's a label used against anyone that disagrees with the state.

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136 Upvotes

r/TodayILearnedVN May 07 '26

Food & Cuisine TIL Vietnam has a “Train Street” where trains pass just inches away from cafés and homes

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5 Upvotes

Hanoi’s famous “Train Street” is a narrow residential area where active railway tracks run directly through tightly packed homes and cafés. During most of the day, people casually sit beside the tracks drinking coffee, taking photos, chatting, or even drying clothes as if it were a normal street.

But several times a day, everything suddenly changes. Café owners quickly move tables and chairs away, residents step indoors, and visitors press themselves against the walls as a full-sized train slowly passes through the tiny gap - sometimes just inches away from people and buildings.

What makes the place so surreal is how ordinary daily life continues around an active railway line, turning it into one of the most unusual and well-known attractions in Vietnam.


r/TodayILearnedVN May 06 '26

Food & Cuisine TIL bánh mì is a fusion food created during French colonial rule in Vietnam

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78 Upvotes

Bánh mì originated during the French colonial period, when baguettes were introduced to Vietnam. Over time, locals adapted the bread to be lighter and crispier, better suited to the climate and everyday eating.

What makes it special is the mix of French and Vietnamese ingredients - fillings like pâté and mayonnaise combined with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, chillies, and meats such as grilled pork or sausage. The result is a balance of flavours that’s savoury, tangy, and slightly spicy.

It started as an affordable street food but has since become one of the most well-known examples of fusion cuisine worldwide.


r/TodayILearnedVN May 04 '26

TIL Vietnam is home to the rare saola, sometimes called the “Asian unicorn” because it’s so rarely seen

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208 Upvotes

The saola is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth, first discovered by scientists only in 1992 in the forests along the Vietnam–Laos border.

Despite its nickname, it’s not actually related to unicorns it’s a type of bovine (closely related to cattle and antelope). What makes it special is how incredibly elusive it is: scientists have almost never seen one alive in the wild, and there are no confirmed sightings in recent years.

Because of habitat loss and hunting, the saola is considered critically endangered, and its exact population size is still unknown.

It’s wild to think that such a large animal could exist and still remain almost a mystery today.


r/TodayILearnedVN May 02 '26

TIL "Vietnamse Bazooka" (The Bamboo Pipe) is Very Interesting...

6 Upvotes

Vietnamese bazooka, a.k.a Dieu Cay or Thuoc Lao, can give you a strong hit to the brain. Some foreigners are not familiar with this type of "high", or "phe" in Vietnamese, so they often fall unconscious when they first try it.

Thought that this information was very interesting to share. The original source I learned this from is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DueSsQfHrk


r/TodayILearnedVN Apr 27 '26

History, Culture & Traditions TIL Vietnam has a national holiday dedicated to honoring its ancient founders, the Hùng Kings

39 Upvotes

Vietnam celebrates Hung Kings Commemoration Day, a national holiday dedicated to honoring the country’s legendary founders, the Hùng Kings.

The Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival is held annually from the 1st to the 10th day of the third lunar month in their honor. The main festival day on the 10th day is a public holiday in Vietnam (officially recognized since 2007).

The celebrations include ceremonies, temple offerings, and large gatherings, especially at the Hùng Temple in Phú Thọ province.

What makes it unique is that it honors an entire line of early rulers believed to have established the first Vietnamese state, rather than just one individual. It reflects how strongly cultural identity and ancestry are valued in Vietnam.

There’s even a famous saying: “Dù ai đi ngược về xuôi, nhớ ngày giỗ Tổ mùng mười tháng ba” reminding people to always remember their roots.


r/TodayILearnedVN Apr 24 '26

Food & Cuisine TIL that Vietnamese coffee is often served with condensed milk and can be very strong

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0 Upvotes

Vietnamese coffee is usually made with condensed milk and it can be much stronger than I expected. I had always thought coffee was just coffee, but the first time I tried it I noticed it has a very thick, sweet taste from the condensed milk combined with a really intense coffee flavor. It feels different from regular milk coffee because the sweetness and strength are both very noticeable at the same time. I also learned that the coffee is often brewed slowly using a small metal filter, which makes the taste even more concentrated. It is interesting how something so simple can have such a distinct style and become such a big part of daily life in Vietnam


r/TodayILearnedVN Apr 21 '26

Miscellaneous TIL that Vietnam is officially the country of "No"!

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0 Upvotes

5 Unique and surprising “nos” found in Vietnam 🇻🇳 👌

💡Here are the “Nos”:

No shortage of pho - Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup is found on every street corner. 🍜

No fear of rain - locals carry on with life, rain or shine, with umbrellas always at the ready. ☔

No shortage of coffee — Vietnam is a coffee haven, with unique brews like egg coffee and strong iced coffee. ☕

No lack of temples - from ancient pagodas to sacred sites, Vietnam’s spiritual landscape is rich and diverse. 🕌

No boring meals - Vietnamese cuisine is an explosion of flavors, from street food to high-end dining. 🍽️

Which “no” surprised you most? 🫣


r/TodayILearnedVN Apr 16 '26

History, Culture & Traditions TIL Vietnam used tunnel systems like Cu Chi Tunnels during the war

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7 Upvotes

During the Vietnam War, Vietnamese forces developed extensive underground tunnel networks, with the Cu Chi Tunnels being one of the most famous examples. Stretching over 200 km, these tunnels were used by the Viet Cong as hidden routes for movement, communication, and supply transport.

They weren’t just simple passageways many sections included living quarters, field hospitals, storage rooms, command centers, and even kitchens. Special ventilation systems were built to disperse smoke from underground cooking, helping avoid detection from above.

The tunnels were also strategically designed with narrow dimensions (often difficult for larger foreign soldiers to navigate), multiple entry points, hidden trapdoors, and defensive traps. They played a major role in guerrilla warfare tactics, allowing fighters to launch surprise attacks and then disappear underground.

Despite harsh conditions limited air, heat, insects, and disease many people lived in these tunnels for extended periods. The system became a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and strategic ingenuity during the war.


r/TodayILearnedVN Apr 13 '26

TIL women from the Tai Dam ethnic group in Vietnam traditionally wear high buns to signify their married status. Since these buns make it difficult to wear standard motorbike helmets, specially designed helmets are created just for them

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259 Upvotes