Last Names in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide

Vietnamese last names, or họ in Vietnamese, play a crucial role in Vietnamese culture. They are inherited patrilineally, meaning they are passed down from father to child. While there are many last names in Vietnam, some are more common than others. This guide provides a comprehensive list of Vietnamese last names, along with their detailed meanings, offering insights into the rich history and cultural significance of these names.
1. **Nguyễn:** The most common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Nguyen." It has various meanings, including "origin," "source," "beginning," and "first."

2. **Trần:** Another prevalent last name, originating from the Han Chinese surname "Tran." It signifies "tranquil," "peaceful," and "serene."

3. **Lê:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Le." It represents "plum," "plum tree," and "beautiful."

4. **Phạm:** A common Vietnamese last name, originating from the Han Chinese surname "Pham." It symbolizes "crime," "offense," and "transgression."

5. **Phan:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Phan." It means "to divide," "to separate," and "to partition."

6. **Vũ:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, originating from the Han Chinese surname "Wu." It signifies "dance," "martial arts," and "war."

7. **Đặng:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Deng." It symbolizes "lamp," "lantern," and "illumination."

8. **Hồ:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Hu." It means "lake," "pond," and "water."

9. **Ngô:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Wu." It signifies "five," "five grains," and "abundance."

10. **Bùi:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Bui." It symbolizes "dust," "dirt," and "humility."

11. **Đỗ:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Du." It means "to stop," "to halt," and "to cease."

12. **Tạ:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Xie." It signifies "to thank," "to appreciate," and "to be grateful."

13. **Cao:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Cao." It symbolizes "tall," "high," and "elevated."

14. **Lý:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Li." It means "plum," "plum tree," and "beautiful."

15. **Lưu:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Liu." It signifies "willow," "willow tree," and "grace."

16. **Vương:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Wang." It symbolizes "king," "ruler," and "sovereign."

17. **Mai:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Mai." It means "plum," "plum blossom," and "beauty."

18. **Đinh:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Ding." It signifies "nail," "pin," and "firmness."

19. **Chu:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Zhu." It symbolizes "bamboo," "bamboo shoot," and "flexibility."

20. **Trương:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Zhang." It means "long," "extended," and "prolonged."

21. **Hoàng:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Huang." It signifies "yellow," "gold," and "royal."

22. **Đào:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Tao." It symbolizes "peach," "peach blossom," and "longevity."

23. **Nghiêm:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Yan." It means "severe," "strict," and "serious."

24. **Thái:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Tai." It signifies "big," "great," and "grand."

25. **Hứa:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Xu." It symbolizes "to promise," "to pledge," and "to guarantee."

26. **Thạch:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Shi." It means "stone," "rock," and "solidity."

27. **Quách:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Guo." It signifies "country," "nation," and "territory."

28. **Dương:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Yang." It symbolizes "sun," "sunshine," and "bright."

29. **Trịnh:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Zheng." It means "correct," "right," and "just."

30. **Lý:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Li." It signifies "plum," "plum tree," and "beautiful."

31. **Phương:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Fang." It symbolizes "direction," "path," and "way."

32. **Hồng:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Hong." It means "red," "pink," and "scarlet."

33. **Nguyễn:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Nguyen." It signifies "origin," "source," and "beginning."

34. **Võ:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Wu." It symbolizes "martial arts," "war," and "fighting."

35. **Lâm:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Lin." It means "forest," "woods," and "nature."

36. **Tăng:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Zeng." It signifies "to increase," "to multiply," and "to grow."

37. **Lưu:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Liu." It symbolizes "willow," "willow tree," and "grace."

38. **Tống:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Song." It means "pine," "pine tree," and "strength."

39. **Nghiêm:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Yan." It signifies "severe," "strict," and "serious."

40. **Diệp:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Ye." It symbolizes "leaf," "foliage," and "growth."

41. **Hà:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "He." It means "river," "stream," and "water."

42. **Trần:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Tran." It signifies "tranquil," "peaceful," and "serene."

43. **Lý:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Li." It symbolizes "plum," "plum tree," and "beautiful."

44. **Võ:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Wu." It means "martial arts," "war," and "fighting."

45. **Lâm:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Lin." It signifies "forest," "woods," and "nature."

46. **Tăng:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Zeng." It symbolizes "to increase," "to multiply," and "to grow."

47. **Lưu:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Liu." It means "willow," "willow tree," and "grace."

48. **Tống:** A widespread Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Song." It signifies "pine," "pine tree," and "strength."

49. **Nghiêm:** A common Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Yan." It symbolizes "severe," "strict," and "serious."

50. **Diệp:** A prevalent Vietnamese last name, derived from the Han Chinese surname "Ye." It means "leaf," "foliage," and "growth."