HTV3: Everything You Need to Know About Vietnam’s Favorite Youth Channel

Ever wonder why so many Vietnamese teens and their little siblings hum the same cartoon theme songs? It’s probably HTV3. You won't find another TV station in Vietnam that left such a big mark on young minds—basically, if you grew up in Ho Chi Minh City in the 2000s or 2010s, you almost definitely know the HTV3 logo and jingle.

This channel kicked off as a local project but quickly grew into the default pick for family-friendly cartoons, dubbed anime, and after-school game shows. It’s not just about fun—HTV3 blended entertainment with learning, so kids could pick up English, math, or just some decent life values along the way. If you’re a parent or even just want a bit of nostalgia, HTV3 still hits the spot and has actually adapted pretty well to new tech trends.

• What Exactly Is HTV3?
• Why HTV3 Became a Hit With Vietnamese Kids
• Popular Shows and Surprising Facts
• How to Watch HTV3 Today

What Exactly Is HTV3?

HTV3 is a television channel based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, designed mainly for young viewers, including kids and teens. It first aired in 2004 as part of Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV)—hence the "HTV" in its name, and the "3" stands for its original position as channel 3 on analog TV.

From day one, HTV3 focused on content that's safe and fun, but it doesn't just stick to cartoons. The channel offers a solid mix of animated series, live-action shows, language lessons, and even talent contests. In 2008, the station struck a deal with BHD and Purpose Media, which brought in more global content and seriously improved production quality. HTV3 didn't just show Vietnamese cartoons. It was one of the very first places you could catch dubbed international hits like “Doraemon,” “Conan,” and “Ben 10.”

HTV3 usually broadcasts 24 hours a day, which means you can catch your favorite old episodes or current kid-friendly content any time. The channel’s motto? "Vui cùng khám phá" ("Fun With Discovery"). That sums up the vibe pretty well: entertainment that teaches kids something helpful, but never feels like homework.

As one Vietnamese media analyst put it: “HTV3 created a cultural bridge, letting Vietnamese kids discover the world and learn new values while staying connected to their roots.”

If you’re into stats, here’s a look at some quick numbers about HTV3 over the years:

One thing hasn’t changed: HTV3 is still a go-to for safe, engaging TV that keeps pace with what Vietnamese families actually want to watch. If someone brings up kids’ or teens’ TV in Vietnam, this channel always pops up at the top of the list.

Why HTV3 Became a Hit With Vietnamese Kids

HTV3 nailed a sweet spot in Vietnam's TV world. The channel mixed fun and learning in a way most stations didn’t even try. Back around 2008, it was basically the first place on Vietnamese TV where you could catch international cartoons—think Doraemon, Conan, Pokémon—dubbed in Vietnamese and scheduled right after school hours. No need to stay up late or miss dinner, which parents obviously loved.

The secret sauce? Family-friendly vibes and a promise there’d be no weird stuff airing during kids’ prime time. Parents trusted HTV3 because its programming team handpicked every show, making sure cartoons and dramas were squeaky clean. The result: a channel watched by the whole family, not just bored kids.

On top of that, HTV3 shook up the lineup by bringing in Asian and Western shows alongside domestic productions. Kids got exposed to international culture without losing touch with Vietnam’s own stories. Plus, the channel ran contests, talent shows, and interactive games. You could win real prizes just by sending a text.

• Doraemon was often the top-rated show during school breaks.
• Kids could join drawing contests featured live on TV.
• Early English-dubbed shows helped thousands practice language skills before it was trendy.

Here’s a real peek at how popular some series got:

Bottom line: HTV3 became the go-to because it understood what Vietnamese families needed—safety, excitement, and a little bonus learning all in one package.

Popular Shows and Surprising Facts

If you ask anyone in Vietnam about their favorite HTV3 moment, don’t be surprised if they mention Doraemon or Shin - Cậu Bé Bút Chì (Crayon Shin-chan). These were the shows that basically owned the afternoon slot. HTV3’s run of Doraemon had a massive following, with episodes dubbed in Vietnamese so even the youngest viewers could follow along. Crayon Shin-chan attracted both kids and sometimes their curious parents, mixing slapstick humor with simple life lessons.

The channel didn’t just stop at cartoons. You’ve got shows like Pokémon, Digimon, and even Dragon Ball that aired on HTV3, often with local dubbing that made the characters feel pretty relatable—kids heard jokes and slang straight from their own playgrounds. Some parents even sat down to watch with their kids, since a lot of these series blended humor with real-life skills and teamwork stories.

Surprisingly, educational shows found their place too. Ai Thông Minh Hơn Học Sinh Lớp 5? (Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? - local version) pulled huge numbers and got entire families involved in guessing trivia at home. Chinh Phục Vũ Môn (a science quiz show) made studying feel more like a game—not a chore. And HTV3 also wasn’t shy about running short PSAs after cartoons, talking about traffic safety or good manners.

• At its peak, HTV3 was watched by over a million kids daily in Ho Chi Minh City alone.
• They started dubbing Japanese shows themselves because fans complained about stiff, outdated translations.
• HTV3’s anime blocks actually influenced “Vietnamese-style” slang among young people, thanks to memorable catchphrases in the dubs.
• Some episodes, like Doraemon’s gadgets or Shin-chan’s funny misunderstandings, sparked debates among parents about what kids should really watch after school.

Basically, HTV3 proved you can mix fun cartoons with gentle life lessons and not bore kids to tears. It’s one of the reasons parents still mention it—even if now those same shows are watched on YouTube or streaming apps.

How to Watch HTV3 Today

So you want to catch your favorite HTV3 shows in 2025 but aren’t sure where to look? You're not alone. The ways people watch TV in Vietnam have changed a lot, but HTV3 is still there if you know where to look. Here are the main options, with a quick rundown to save you the guesswork:

• Traditional TV: If you’ve still got cable (like SCTV or VTVCab), you can find HTV3 on most Vietnamese cable services. The channel slot can vary, but it’s usually in the range of channel 7 to 23, depending on the provider.
• Online Streaming: The easiest way for most is to go straight to HTV’s official online platform. The website htv.com.vn/htv3 offers a livestream, free for most users in Vietnam. There’s also an HTV app for both Android and iOS.
• Set-Top Boxes: If you’ve got a VTVcab or FPT Play Box, just search “HTV3” and you’ll find the channel. These boxes are super popular in big cities.
• YouTube & Facebook: While the full schedule isn’t always up, HTV3’s official YouTube and Facebook pages upload highlights, full episodes, and special content. Search "HTV3 Official" to avoid random rip-off channels.

One important note: Since 2018, HTV3’s full anime blocks have moved to nighttime slots—mostly after 8 PM—thanks to broadcast rules. Daytime content leans more educational or dubbed kids’ series. If you’re after your favorite anime, tune in later or check their schedule online before you sit down.

Tip: If you’re hunting for old HTV3 shows from the late 2000s, unofficial fan channels sometimes upload rare episodes. Always double-check the upload source—sometimes the video quality is rough, but it’s better than nothing if you’re feeling nostalgic.