In the Vietnamese zodiac, the Cat replaces the Rabbit.
Vietnam’s zodiac follows the Chinese zodiac’s 12-animal cycle but makes two notable substitutions: the Ox becomes a water buffalo, and the Rabbit becomes a Cat. The Cat occupies the fourth position, corresponding to the earthly branch Mão.
One widely cited explanation is linguistic. The Vietnamese pronunciation associated with the Rabbit sign, Mão or Mẹo, resembles mèo, the Vietnamese word for “cat.” Other explanations emphasize local culture: cats were familiar household and farm animals, valued for controlling rats in rice-growing communities, while rabbits were less prominent in traditional Vietnamese life.
This difference also creates a famous New Year mix-up. China celebrates a Year of the Rabbit, while Vietnam celebrates a Year of the Cat; 2023 was therefore the Year of the Cat in Vietnam. The Chinese zodiac’s famous Rat-and-Cat rivalry is a separate legend and does not explain every historical reason for Vietnam’s calendar variation.