Many Vietnamese American parents reach a point where they realize they’re no longer just learning family traditions. They’re deciding which ones to pass on.

Maybe you’re expecting your first baby and wondering what your child should call their grandparents. Maybe you’re shopping for a meaningful gift and want to make sure you have the right Vietnamese family title. Or maybe you’re reconnecting with a part of your heritage that you haven’t thought about in years.

If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.

We created this guide because we’ve asked many of the same questions ourselves. Our goal is to make it a little easier for families to celebrate their culture, one word and one tradition at a time.

Every Vietnamese family is different. Regional dialects, family traditions, and life as Vietnamese Americans all influence the words people use. This guide covers many of the most common terms, but your family may use something different, and that’s perfectly okay.

If your family has a tradition you’d like to share, we’d genuinely love to hear from you. We’re learning alongside our community, and every conversation helps us improve this guide.

In This Guide

• Vietnamese Grandparents
• Vietnamese Siblings
• Parents
• Why Family Titles Matter
• Frequently Asked Questions

Vietnamese Grandparents

Quick Answer

Vietnamese	Meaning
Bà Nội	Father’s mother
Ông Nội	Father’s father
Bà Ngoại	Mother’s mother
Ông Ngoại	Mother’s father

 

One of the most common questions we receive is whether a grandparent is Nội or Ngoại. If you’ve stopped to double-check before ordering a gift, you’re not alone.

Many young children eventually shorten these names to simply Bà and Ông once everyone knows which grandparent they’re talking about. In our own family, our daughter even turned Ông into “Ongy,” adding a little “-y” sound much like “Mommy” or “Daddy.” Those little family nicknames are part of what makes every family unique.

Celebrate the grandparents in your family: Explore our Vietnamese grandparent baby and children’s designs.

Vietnamese Siblings

Quick Answer

Vietnamese	Meaning
Anh Hai	Older brother, often the eldest child in Southern families that use birth-order titles
Chị Hai	Older sister, often the eldest child in Southern families that use birth-order titles
Em	Younger sibling
Út	Youngest sibling or child

Many Vietnamese families use family titles when speaking to or about siblings. In Vietnamese American households, it’s also common to combine these titles with English names, such as Anh Kevin or Chị Vivian.

Anh means older brother, while Chị means older sister. In many Southern Vietnamese families, Hai is added as a birth-order title for the eldest child, which is why you may hear Anh Hai or Chị Hai. Other families may use different birth-order titles or simply use Anh, Chị, or a person’s name.

Em is commonly used for a younger sibling, while Út refers to the youngest child or sibling in the family. Whether these terms are used every day depends on regional background and family tradition.

Every family develops language that feels natural to them, and there isn’t one single way that represents every Vietnamese household.

Celebrate every place in the family: Explore our Vietnamese sibling designs featuring Anh Hai, Chị Hai, Em, and Út.

Parents

Common Vietnamese words for parents include Ba, Bố, Mẹ, and Má. Ba and Má are often associated with Southern Vietnamese, while Bố and Mẹ are commonly associated with Northern Vietnamese. Regional differences and family habits both play a role, and many Vietnamese American families use whichever combination feels natural in their home.

It’s also common to mix English and Vietnamese. A child might call their parents “Mommy” and “Daddy” while still calling their grandparents Bà and Ông.

There isn’t one right way to pass on culture. Every family finds its own balance.

Why Family Titles Matter

For many of us, family titles are some of the first Vietnamese words our children learn.

Even if they grow up speaking mostly English, they often know how to say Bà, Ông, Anh Hai, or Chị Hai.

Those words become part of everyday life.

Culture doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It can start with a grandparent’s name, a favorite family meal, or a few Vietnamese words that become part of your daily routine.

Don’t wait until your children are older to introduce culture. Start with what feels meaningful to your family and let it grow naturally over time.

From One Parent to Another

You don’t have to know everything before you begin.

Many of us are relearning parts of our own culture while raising our children. Some of our kids will grow up speaking fluent Vietnamese. Others may only know a handful of words.

Both journeys are worth celebrating.

What matters most isn’t perfection. It’s creating opportunities for your children to feel connected to the people, traditions, and stories that make your family unique.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Bà Nội and Bà Ngoại?

Bà Nội is your father’s mother, while Bà Ngoại is your mother’s mother.

What’s the difference between Ông Nội and Ông Ngoại?

Ông Nội is your father’s father, while Ông Ngoại is your mother’s father.

Is it okay if my kids mostly speak English?

Absolutely. Many Vietnamese American families naturally mix English and Vietnamese at home. Learning a few meaningful words is still a wonderful way to stay connected to your heritage.

What if my family uses different words?

That’s completely normal. Vietnam has many regional traditions, and every family develops its own customs over time.

Final Thoughts

Passing on culture doesn’t have to happen all at once.

Every time your child calls their grandparent Bà or Ông, learns a new Vietnamese word, or celebrates a family tradition, you’re helping build a connection that can last a lifetime.

If this guide helped answer a question or gave you a little more confidence, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we hoped.

And if your family uses a different word or tradition, we’d love to hear from you. Sharing those stories helps us continue building a resource that reflects the many ways Vietnamese American families celebrate their heritage together.

We’re continuing to build this resource with more guides on Vietnamese grandparents, sibling names, family trees, and other family traditions. Check back as we continue adding new articles.