The Childhood of the 8x, 9x Generation

Author: Anydinh

The childhood of our 8x and 9x generation was filled with simple memories, yet they are incredibly precious to us. Back then, there was no internet, no smartphones, and certainly no expensive video games like today.

But our childhood was brimming with joy and laughter, born from the simplest things in life.

We grew up with golden afternoons, kites soaring in the sky, football matches on empty grass fields or the cooperative’s dusty courtyard, and games like jacks, jump rope, or homemade clay firecrackers with friends. We didn’t need technology—just a hill, a lump of dirt, or a ball was enough to spark endless fun. Every child had their own little world, where they could run freely, laugh wholeheartedly, without a care in the world.

On sweltering summer days, we’d gather and run off to the river to swim and play until our parents dragged us home with a stick in hand. Soaked to the bone, we still beamed with joy. Even after being scolded or punished, none of us ever gave up our habit of sneaking out for a river dip.

Sometimes, we’d sit in the shade of cool trees, munching on snacks while chatting about everything from dreams of becoming superheroes saving the world, to silly stories only kids could understand.

Back then, children weren’t burdened with pressure or forced to study all the time like today. We were free to explore, carefree, and always found joy in the most ordinary things. Games like shuttlecock kicking, hopscotch, jump rope, and hide-and-seek were irresistible. Unlike now, when technology and school schedules dominate children’s lives—and even worse, when parents forbid them from enjoying their own kind of fun.

Our generation was easygoing. Parents let us roam freely. Sometimes, a single rock, a leaf, or a twig could entertain us the whole afternoon.

The 8x, 9x generation also had black-and-white comic books. Fascinating tales from series like Doraemon, Detective Conan, or classic fairy tales from China, Vietnam, and the Brothers Grimm kept us curious and captivated. Whoever had a comic book instantly became the center of the group, everyone huddled together, giggling while reading. Sometimes, we’d just sit and listen to a friend retell funny moments from a story.

There were also cheerful cartoons. Every time they aired, kids from all over the neighborhood would gather to watch together. Back then, not every home had a TV—it was a luxury. So we’d cram into whichever house had one, often arguing loudly over tiny details in the show.

Aside from TV, we had cassette tapes featuring popular singers of the time. The tape player often broke from being played over and over.

Back then, handwritten letters were the bridge between distant friends and family. We didn’t have Facebook, Instagram, or Zalo. Instead, we had hand-written letters, New Year cards, and postcards, each word packed with sincerity. Whenever we received a letter from an old friend or faraway relative, the whole family would gather, excitedly taking turns reading and discussing its contents.

The most unforgettable memories for 8x and 9x kids were sneaking into someone’s garden to steal fruits, getting caught red-handed, and being dragged by the ear to our parents. Or being chased by dogs, ending up with torn pants and having grandma sew them back up.

Our childhood also included cozy family evenings—everyone gathered around a warm meal, listening to grandma tell fairy tales or watching grandpa play Chinese chess with the neighborhood kids, all while children’s songs played from an old speaker. These were simple moments, yet they were full of love, filled with unforgettable memories that will never fade.

Even though today’s world is shaped by advanced technology, the memories of our innocent and pure childhood remain forever in the hearts of the 8x and 9x generation. We grew up not only through textbooks but also through life itself—from carefree moments and belly-aching laughter with close friends. And surely, no matter where we go or what we do, those memories will always be etched in the hearts of each one of us from the 8x, 9x generation.