In Vietnam, people use two special dates to celebrate Women’s Day including March 8th, International Women’s Day, and October 20th, Vietnamese Women’s Day. The idea for a day celebrated for Vietnamese women emerged as a way to appreciate the significant contributions that they have made both in times of war and peace.
This day is more than just a day to honor women; it is a reminder of the historical struggles of women throughout the nation’s history and the outgoing challenges they face in modern society, such as domestic violence or discrimination in the workplace.
“When The Enemies Come, The Women Fight Too.”
This saying has emphasized the role of Vietnamese women in the wartime. As Vietnamese women often sticked to domestic chores and reluctance to leave home and family, being involved in the fight against the invaders has elevated the status of their sex. Besides, they made huge sacrifices when being a wife, daughter, and mother who were all ready to support their husbands, dads and sons on the battlefield.
Therefore, Vietnamese women not only served as soldiers, nurses, and logistics coordinators but also maintained the economic stability of the country by working in factories, farms, and other essential industries. Recognizing the wartime contributions of nameless Vietnamese women is essential to understanding the outcome of the war and the reason why they deserve to enjoy Women’s Day twice a year.
How Was Vietnamese Women's Day Born?
Vietnamese Women’s Day was officially established on October 20th, 1930, when the Anti-Imperialist Women’s Union was founded, later evolved into the Vietnam Women’s Union. This was the first time an organization for women was able to legally operate and actively contribute to the country.
To mark this event, the Communist Party of Vietnam decided to choose October 20th every year as the traditional day of this organization, and the national day to celebrate and honor Vietnamese women, named "Vietnamese Women's Day".
This year also recorded the event that the government officially asserted the equality between men and women in the first political thesis of the Communist Party of Vietnam. They were allowed to participate in elections, social work, and the government system, encouraging them to take up leadership positions, participate in economic and political activities, and contribute to the resistance against foreign invaders.
One of the prominent female leaders throughout the country’s history is Nguyen Thi Binh or Madame Binh, who was the only woman among the signatories of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords that ended the US intervention in the Vietnam War.
Celebrating Vietnamese Women’s Day
In modern Vietnam, October 20th is celebrated with various activities, both at the national and local levels. Schools, workplaces, and communities organize events to honor women, including award ceremonies for outstanding women in different fields, cultural performances, and public discussions on issues related to women’s rights and gender equality.
It is a day when men express their appreciation for the women in their lives - whether they are mothers, wives, sisters, or colleagues. Gifts such as flowers, cards, and small presents are common, and many organizations often host special events to honor the women in their workforce.