Vietnamese Proverbs

Vietnamese proverbs distill village wisdom from rice paddies and monsoon seasons. Shaped by Confucian respect for elders and centuries of resilience against invaders, they prize harmony, diligence, and clever patience.

A frog living at the bottom of the well thinks that the sky is as small.

Vietnamese Proverb

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.

Vietnamese Proverb

Better a lean peace than a fat victory.

Vietnamese Proverb

Better a wise man's servant than an idiot's master.

Vietnamese Proverb

Better to die than to live on with a bad reputation.

Vietnamese Proverb

Between two stools, you fall to the ground.

Vietnamese Proverb

Comfort is better than pride.

Vietnamese Proverb

Do not halloo till you are out of the wood.

Vietnamese Proverb

Everybody's business is nobody's business.

Vietnamese Proverb

Who breaks, pays.

Vietnamese Proverb

Women are like raindrops: some fall on palaces, others on ricefields.

Vietnamese Proverb

You cannot breathe through another man's nose.

Vietnamese Proverb

Young bamboo trees are easy to bend.

Vietnamese Proverb

A friend when in need is a faithful friend.

Vietnamese Proverb

If you go out a lot at night, you will probably meet ghosts.

Vietnamese Proverb

If you want to eat pickled herring, think about the thirst you will have.

Vietnamese Proverb

If you want to gather a lot of knowledge, act as if you are ignorant.

Vietnamese Proverb

The dog will always attack the one with torn trousers.

Vietnamese Proverb

The rich become deaf and the mighty blind.

Vietnamese Proverb

There is one fish in the pond, and ten anglers on the bank.

Vietnamese Proverb

Venture all; see what fate brings.

Vietnamese Proverb

What is good for the buffalo is good for the cow.

Vietnamese Proverb