International Women's Day
International Women’s Day is marked on March 8 each year and considered as a non-public holiday in a few countries, including Vietnam. The day might be inherited from Russia (formerly the USSR). Though Vietnam Women’s Day (October 20) is also important, March 8 is considered as the official Mother’s Day for Vietnamese people.

On this day, guys in Vietnam (pretend to) like giving flowers, greetings and/or gifts to their mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, girlfriends, female friends, female teachers, female classmates, female bosses and female colleagues. Vietnamese women like the day because it’s one of few days they don’t have to rub the floors, do all the cooking, the washing up and many other things.

Along with Teachers’ Day, the day is meant to corrupt your youthful innocence. Even it’s on Saturday or Sunday (the days off school), you’ll have to give your female teachers special gifts, or else you’ll be in trouble. Still, the kids like International Women’s Day because they may learn to sing March 8’s songs rather than maths or history.

If you’re a girl, you still need to wait for your turn to check out in the supermarket this day even though you’re the only woman there. In Vietnam, the day doesn’t apply to “female strangers.” If you’re a guy, remember that giving gifts is not equivalent to giving alms. It should be comprehended as an art, not a duty. If you don’t feel like giving flowers or gifts, greetings are enough.

P.s.: Many Vietnamese women don’t like flowers from fathers, brothers, colleagues, or friends.