In the Vietnamese zodiac, the Buffalo replaces the Chinese zodiac’s Ox.
Vietnamese zodiac traditions retain most of the 12-animal sequence used in the Chinese zodiac, but several animal names differ. The Ox is commonly represented as the Buffalo in Vietnam, reflecting the animal’s deep importance in traditional Vietnamese agriculture and rural life.
The Vietnamese cycle also uses Cat where the Chinese tradition generally uses Rabbit, while the rest of the sequence is broadly similar. These differences are cultural adaptations rather than simple translation errors.
The Buffalo remains the second animal in the Vietnamese sequence. Because English sources sometimes use “water buffalo” or “buffalo,” wording can vary, but “Buffalo” is the standard concise name for the Vietnamese zodiac sign. It should not be confused with the Ox sign in Chinese zodiac tables.