BACK TO ROOTS: Learn Vietnamese Through 72 Stories of Heart and Heritage
Author: Not Being
BACK TO ROOTS is not just a language learning book — it's a journey home.
This unique collection of 72 bilingual short stories invites Vietnamese learners and heritage speakers—especially those born and raised abroad—to reconnect with their roots through the soul of the Vietnamese language.
Structured into six thematic chapters—Homeland Memories, Culture & Celebrations, Vietnamese People & Values, Food & Taste of Home, Learning Through Emotions, and Vietnam Today—each story is written in English but gently weaves in Vietnamese vocabulary, phrases, and cultural elements. The book uses a story-based immersion method, ideal for readers who crave emotional connection and cultural resonance while expanding their vocabulary and comprehension.
Every chapter includes:
- A heartfelt short story (in English with embedded Vietnamese terms)
- A curated vocabulary table with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural notes
- Review questions that prompt reflection and memory retention
- A bilingual Mini Dialogue (English-Vietnamese) for natural conversation practice
- A poetic Reflection to nurture the soul and deepen cultural understanding
Whether you're:
- a second-generation Vietnamese-American trying to reconnect with your identity,
- a parent hoping to pass on the language to your children,
- a Vietnamese learner seeking meaning beyond textbooks,
- or simply a lover of stories that bridge East and West —
this book offers more than just language.
It offers belonging.
Features:
- 72 stories that span across generations, emotions, and landscapes
- 600+ Vietnamese words introduced in context
- Pronunciation guidance for key terms
- Cultural insights interwoven in every chapter
- Emotionally engaging, spiritually resonant, and pedagogically sound
Why this book is different:
Most Vietnamese textbooks focus on drills and dialogues. BACK TO ROOTS focuses on memory, feeling, and identity — because learning a language isn't just about grammar. It's about coming home.
