Vietnam Unit Study: Hands-On Geography Curriculum for Kids

Discover the culture, geography, and traditions of Vietnam with our hands-on, secular Vietnam Unit Study. Designed for Grades 1 to 6, our literature-rich geography curriculum includes engaging activities in mapwork, science, writing, and hands-on cultural experiences, such as such as Đông Hồ folk painting, Vietnamese silk art, music, cooking, and traditional games. Perfect for homeschoolers, co-ops, classrooms, or Montessori continent studies.

✅ Learning Highlights:

• Read Water Buffalo Days by Huynh Quang Nhuong and explore Vietnamese folktales such as The Star Fruit Tree and The Banker’s Riddles
• Investigate the Mekong River and the water cycle through science notebooking
• Build geography and research skills with mapwork and notebooking activities
• Create Đông Hồ-style prints and Vietnamese silk paintings
• Enjoy Vietnamese music with Carnegie Hall’s Musical Explorers, make bánh mì sandwiches and tropical fruit smoothies, and play the traditional Gourd Crab Game, often enjoyed during Tết celebrations

✅ What’s Included:

• Vietnam Mapwork & Notebooking: Students label major cities, landforms, and cultural landmarks while customizing their own maps. Notebooking pages invite students to document facts, sketch discoveries, and color the national flag.
• Literature Study: Read Water Buffalo Days, where author Huynh Quang Nhuong recalls life growing up in rural Vietnam.
• Circle Round Folktales + Writing Revolution Activities: Build writing skills with sentence-based exercises using Judith C. Hochman's The Writing Revolution method.
• Science Notebooking: Explore how the Mekong river supports life in Vietnam and learn about the water cycle.
• Math Practice: Build real-world math skills by solving elapsed time problems connected to places throughout Vietnam.
• Creative Arts: Learn about Vietnamese silk painting and craft Đông Hồ folk prints.
• Musical Explorers: Discover Vietnamese musical traditions and instruments with Carnegie Hall’s Musical Explorers program.
• Cultural Cooking Projects: Make bánh mì sandwiches and tropical fruit smoothies.
• Global Games: Play the Gourd Crab Game, a traditional Vietnamese game often played during Tết celebrations.

✅ Bonus Materials:

• Printable Global Explorers Cookbook Page for Vietnam
• Discover Vietnam: Bingo Challenge activity sheet
• Vietnam Unit Overview Sheet
• Access to our optional digital planning tool in Notion
• Plus, more than a dozen extra printable resources, such as book passports, food chain pyramid templates, and more!

Format: Printable PDF + Optional Digital Access

Best For: Homeschoolers, co-ops, enrichment, Montessori continent studies, and classroom geography units

Why Choose Global Explorers?

At the Global Explorers Club, we believe geography should feel like an adventure. Our flexible, secular unit studies are designed to spark curiosity, celebrate cultural diversity, and connect children to the world around them. Whether you use every activity or choose a few, our unit studies can be easily adapted for different learners and teaching styles.