Connecting Local Parents

Relocating to Vietnam brings immense transition for expat families. Plugging into parent groups, both expat and local Vietnamese, provides critical community support. This article shares how building connections specifically with Vietnamese parents can facilitate adjustment and success in Vietnam.

Why Bond with Vietnamese Parents?

As expats, Vietnamese parents become invaluable resources, providing:

• Insider navigation of Vietnam’s education system and culture

• Trusted recommendations on enrichment resources

• Cultural insights that bridge gaps and prevent missteps

• Opportunities to practice language skills in a comfortable environment

• Access to community activities that accelerate cultural adaptation

• Lasting friendships and support systems to rely on

Concrete Ways Vietnamese Parents Can Help

Navigating Local Education System

• Explain the 6-3-3-4 grade divisions (6 years primary, 3 years secondary, 3 years high school, 4 years university)

• Describe the national testing systems like PISA, high school graduation exam

• Share their own experiences navigating gifted programs and SPED resources

• Recommend specific tutors, extracurricular programs, summer academies they used and liked

• Provide sample schedules showing study time and supplementation typical for Vietnamese students

Guidance on Enrichment Opportunities

• Recommend trusted and qualified local tutors for all subjects

• Suggest respected extracurricular activities like sports, arts, STEM programs

• Point to unique local learning resources expat families can leverage

Cultural Insights on Family Life

• Explain the importance of Tết (Lunar New Year) traditions like giving red envelopes, ancestral worship

• Share common Confucian values like emphasis on academics, humility, respect for elders

• Translate key phrases for discipline, motivation, and manners to use with children

• Describe practices like afterschool tutoring, music lessons that are integrals of Vietnamese parenting

• Explain benefits of introductory martial arts classes for young children

Fostering Community Integration

• Invite to temple visits during festivals like Vu Lan or Mid-Autumn Festival

• Organize group attendances at cultural shows at the Opera House or museums

• Arrange joint mooncake making ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival

• Share links to popular Vietnamese TV shows and invite for collective viewing

• Plan group trips to experience quintessential activities like ao dai shopping, café hopping

• Explain the importance of Tết (Lunar New Year) traditions like giving red envelopes, ancestral worship

• Share common Confucian values like emphasis on academics, humility, respect for elders

• Translate key phrases for discipline, motivation, and manners to use with children

• Describe practices like afterschool tutoring, music lessons that are integrals of Vietnamese parenting

• Explain benefits of introductory martial arts classes for young children

Steps to Connect with Vietnamese Parents

Introduce Yourself

• Take the lead to say hello and introduce yourself and family to other parents at school events. Overcome shyness by being proactive.

• Ask about their child and sharing about yours helps find commonalities.

• Exchange contact info to stay connected. Messaging apps like Zalo are popular here.

Ask Their Advice

• Inquire about their own tips for supporting children’s transition and cultural adaptation. They’ll appreciate your openness to learn.

• Politely ask for recommendations on enrichment resources, navigating school system, etc. Most will be eager to share insights.

Extend Invitations

• Invite them to meet outside school, like joining you on a trip to the market to pick up Vietnamese ingredients.

• Ask to join any cultural activities they invite you to, like temple visits during holidays. These mean a lot.

• Offer to host playdates and meals at your home. They’ll enjoy experiencing your culture too.

Learn Basic Vietnamese

• Use simple Vietnamese greetings and terms of endearment with their children to build quick rapport.

• Let them teach you essential Vietnamese phrases. Use these when interacting.

• Request they write key phrases in Vietnamese characters you can recite phonetically when together.

Give Gifts

• Learn the significance of gifting fruit, flowers, teas and sweets in Vietnamese culture. Offer these when visiting their home.

• On holidays, give children red envelopes with modest amounts of đồng. This always delights!

Patience and persistence are key. Don’t get discouraged if connections feel slow to form at first. The reward of gaining Vietnamese parents’ wisdom and friendship is invaluable.