Vietnamese Women's Day, Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam: The History of October 20
Vietnamese Women's Day, Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam, is celebrated every year on October 20. The date marks the founding of a national women's association in Vietnam on October 20, 1930. Today Vietnamese families everywhere use it to thank mẹ, bà, chị and em, the mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters who hold the family together. It is separate from International Women's Day on March 8, and many families celebrate both.
Where October 20 comes from
On October 20, 1930, a women's association was founded in Vietnam. It was the first group to speak for women across the whole country. The day it was founded became a day to honor women, and families have kept it ever since.
Over the years the meaning grew. Today most people think of October 20 less as a date in a history book and more as a day to say cảm ơn: to a mother, a grandmother, a wife, a sister, a teacher or a boss.
The women Vietnamese history remembers
The day also calls back to women who led long before 1930. The Trưng sisters, Hai Bà Trưng, led an uprising in the year 40. Lady Triệu, Bà Triệu, led another in the year 248, riding a white elephant. Her words are still taught today: she wanted to "cưỡi cơn gió mạnh, đạp luồng sóng dữ," to ride the strong wind and tread the fierce waves. Children in Vietnam learn their names in school, and many Vietnamese families tell their stories at home.
Their stories are a big part of why the day feels personal. It honors the women who lead, in a country or in a family.
How is Vietnamese Women's Day celebrated?
Flowers come first. In Vietnam, flower sellers fill the streets on October 20, and roses are the most common gift. Husbands, sons and daughters bring flowers home, or take the family out for dinner.
Workplaces and schools join in too. Many companies give flowers or a small gift to every woman on the team, and students honor their women teachers. The greeting is simple: "Chúc mừng Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam," Happy Vietnamese Women's Day.
Phụ nữ Việt khắp nơi: Vietnamese women everywhere
October 20 is not only celebrated in Vietnam. From Little Saigon in Orange County to San Jose, Houston, Paris, Sydney and Toronto, Vietnamese families mark the day with a phone call home, a family dinner and a few words of thanks to the women who raised them.
Vietnamese women abroad built homes, families and businesses far from where they were born. Many of them are our neighbors here in Garden Grove, and many of them are the salon owners and nail techs who shop with us. To all of them: Chúc mừng Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam.
Small gift ideas: quà tặng 20/10
10 scents, from tangerine to rose
Each tube comes with a free gift box, so it is ready to give to mẹ, a sister, a friend or the whole team. Rose, jasmine and lavender are easy October 20 picks.
Lotion with gift box $2.50
The cuticle oil every tech knows
A small bottle for soft hands and healthy nails. Tie a ribbon on one for every woman on your list.
Solar Oil $3.95
Just landed. Display and magnet tool included
For the nail tech in the family: 18 new cat eye shades.
Lavi Fall kit $157.50More ideas are in the lotions and spa kits shop and the spa, manicure and pedicure shop. And through Friday, October 30, any online order of $80 or more gets a free Cre8tion glow in the dark gel, color picked at random. All five new Lavi kits are in this week's new arrivals post.
Questions about Vietnamese Women's Day
When is Vietnamese Women's Day?
October 20, every year. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday.
Is it the same as International Women's Day?
No. International Women's Day is March 8. Vietnamese Women's Day is October 20, and many families celebrate both.
Why is it on October 20?
A national women's association was founded in Vietnam on October 20, 1930, and the date became a day to honor women.
What do people give on Vietnamese Women's Day?
Flowers, especially roses, small gifts and a family dinner. Many workplaces give flowers or a small gift to the women on the team.
How do you say Happy Vietnamese Women's Day?
"Chúc mừng Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam."
Chúc mừng Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam
Cảm ơn phụ nữ Việt khắp nơi. Thank you to Vietnamese women everywhere.
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