Vietnamese Textbooks through Time
Textbooks are not merely means for transmitting knowledge; they are mirrors reflecting the spirit and challenges of their era, as well as the aspiration to uplift the national consciousness. Each page carries not only educational content but also the hopes and trust that society placed in the future generations of the Vietnamese people. This collection, Giáo khoa xưa (Vietnamese Textbooks Through Time), has been curated from historical teaching materials used in general education from the French colonial period through the era of the Republic of Vietnam. Its current focus lies in two foundational disciplines: Mathematics and Literature. Behind every math problem, essay prompt, or moral tale lies the vision and expectation of the authors—Vietnamese scholars and educators—toward their students and their country's future. These materials reveal a Vietnam in constant reflection, asking: Who are we, and who shall we become in relation to the other civilizations of the world? Digitizing Việt Nam extends our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Huỳnh Chiếu Đẳng, curator of the archive “Nhà kho Quán Ven Đường,” for generously sharing this invaluable collection.
Geography
Mathematics
I Learn Math, Grade Four, 1965
I Learn Math, Grade Four, 1965
"Em học Toán, lớp Tư" (I Learn Math, Grade Four), published in 1965 by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Vietnam, was an official instructional textbook for Grade 4 of primary school—equivalent to today's Grade 2. The book was compiled with advisory support from American specialists. The main objective of the book is to help students approach mathematics through observation, tangible materials, and hands-on activities, rather than rote memorization. Lessons focus on foundational skills such as counting, measuring, reading numbers, and familiarizing students with everyday units of measurement. The curriculum covers: —Arithmetic: Practice with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of numbers up to 999, tied to real-life contexts such as shopping and budgeting. —Measurement: Introduction to units of length (meters), volume (liters), weight (kilograms), and common currency denominations. —Geometry: Recognition of points, lines, angles, squares, and rectangles through illustrated examples. —Drawing: Exercises in freehand drawing of basic geometric shapes to reinforce visual understanding.
I Learn Math, Grade Three, 1965
I Learn Math, Grade Three, 1965
“Em học Toán, lớp Ba” (I Learn Math, Grade Three, 1965) is an official mathematics textbook for Grade Three of the primary school system—equivalent to today’s 3rd grade—published by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Vietnam. The book was developed with a reform-oriented spirit, combining theory with practical application, and emphasizing logical reasoning, computational skills, and real-world applicability. The curriculum is divided into four major sections: Arithmetic, Measurement, Geometry, and Drawing. The Arithmetic section consists of seven chapters that review addition and subtraction with numbers under 1,000, extend to numbers in the millions, and cover multiplication and division with two- or three-digit numbers, word problems, and decimals. The Measurement section helps students become familiar with standard units of length (meter, kilometer), volume (liter), area (square meter), weight (kilogram), and currency (banknotes from 50 to 500 đồng), supported by exercises involving tape measurements, containers, and calculating prices. Geometry focuses on identifying and calculating the perimeter and area of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and triangles, while also training students to determine height, base, and other key dimensions through guided practice. The final section, Drawing, teaches students how to use rulers and decimeter scales to accurately construct the shapes they’ve studied, reinforcing spatial awareness and basic drawing skills.
Mathematics Methods, Grade Five, 1970
Mathematics Methods, Grade Five, 1970
Toán Pháp Lớp Năm (Mathematics Method – Grade Five), published in 1970 by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Vietnam, was an official primary school textbook for Grade Five – equivalent to today’s 5th grade. The book was designed with an emphasis on integrating theory and practice, aiming to train students in fundamental mathematics while enhancing logical thinking and practical application in daily life. The content is organized into four main parts: Arithmetic covers topics from divisibility, fractions, mixed numbers, and the four operations with fractions to real-world applications such as ratios, proportions, percentage calculations, and keeping a family expense ledger; Measurement introduces students to volume, cubic meters, multiples and submultiples, density, and the relationship between volume and weight; Geometry reviews basic solid shapes like cubes, rectangular prisms, cylinders, and cones, along with their volume formulas, encouraging students to measure real-world objects like barrels, water tanks, and wood stacks; Geometric Drawing trains students to draw projections and measured diagrams by hand to scale, building spatial awareness and accuracy in observation.
Science
Vietnamese language - literature
I Learn Vietnamese, Grade Five, 1969
I Learn Vietnamese, Grade Five, 1969
"Em học Vần, lớp Năm" (I Learn Vietnamese, Grade 5) is a primary-level reading textbook, published for the third time in 1969 by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Vietnam. In the education system at that time, Lớp Năm (Grade 5) was equivalent to today's Grade 1 – the first year of primary school. The book was compiled by an experienced team of educators, under the guidance of both Vietnamese and international education specialists, notably with support from American advisors affiliated with the Southern Illinois University. The textbook was developed using a hybrid approach, combining the synthetic method (phonics-based spelling) and the analytic method (whole-word reading) – two widely used strategies in teaching Vietnamese literacy during that era. The authors proposed a blended methodology that moves from meaningful sentences to phonetic units, while remaining sensitive to children's cognitive development. Notably, the book features three recurring characters – Chi, Tí, and Tơ – whose daily lives at home, at school, and in society provide familiar contexts for young readers. Each lesson reflects real-life situations, fostering observation, emotional connection, and language expression among early-grade students.
 I Learn Vietnamese, Grade Four, 1969
I Learn Vietnamese, Grade Four, 1969
“Em học Việt ngữ – Lớp Tư” ( I Learn Vietnamese, Grade Four), published in 1969 by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Vietnam, was the official instructional material for Grade Tư in primary school, equivalent to today’s second grade. Each lesson not only focuses on vocabulary building and reading comprehension, but also connects to real-life experiences familiar to children in Southern Vietnam during that period. With diverse learning formats—such as storytelling, role-playing, gestures, singing, and games—the book helps children retain vocabulary and sentence structures in a natural and engaging way. The textbook comprises 64 lessons, organized into 8 chapters, gradually introducing topics such as Home, Family, Food, Clothing, Body, Animals, School, and Play, following the developmental journey of the main character Nhơn, a 7-year-old second-grade student.
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