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57 Essential Basic Vietnamese Phrases (With Pronunciation)

Whether you’re planning to catch a train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city, ride the length of the country on a motorbike, or simply visit the most popular sites in Vietnam , you will find this guide to basic Vietnamese phrases handy during your travels. This is so you can order your Phở without meat if you’re veggie, or egg if you’re vegan, and to help you to learn some simple sentences that will help you communicate with the locals without having to master the language like a native.

As with most places in the world, it’s helpful to learn a few basic sentences in the local language before landing in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. That’s not only so you can find your way out of the airport better, but also so you can score some points and impress with your effort.

We’ll go through the bare bones of the language before teaching you some basic Vietnamese phrases that should help you throughout your trip, from finding the train station in Hanoi to asking about the price of banh mi in the market.

Table of Contents

What language is spoken in Vietnam?

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam . It’s spoken by the majority of residents of this beautiful country. It’s estimated that Vietnamese is the native tongue for over 70 million people, as well as the second language to many of the ethnic minorities across Vietnam. That is also the only country in the world where Vietnamese is officially used.

Although Vietnamese isn’t a popular second language across the world and most travelers visiting can’t say anything beyond a few simple words, you shouldn’t have too many communication problems. Over half of the Vietnamese population can speak English to some level, and most people in tourist areas will have fairly decent English skills. 

Vietnamese belongs to the Austroasiatic group of languages, together with other lingos spoken across the South and Southeast Asia, such as Khmer and Mon. The modern language, though, has been influenced first by the Chinese in the second century BC and later by the French in the late 19th century. Take words like ga (train station) and đầm (dame), which come from the French gare and madame. You will also find that pronunciation can slightly vary depending on geography. Some words will sound different in North Vietnam from those down south.

Vietnamese alphabet

The Vietnamese language uses the basic Latin alphabet with exception of a few letters. Those not present are f, j, w, and z. In addition to that, there are a couple of variations of different letters that we don’t see in any other languages, all of them are vowels. So, that gives us a total of 29 letters in the Vietnamese alphabet in comparison with 26 letters in the English one.

Out of all letters in the Vietnamese alphabet, 11 are vowels. That is actually more than double the amount of vowels in English. They are called nguyên âm , whereas consonants are known as phụ âm , which translates to “extra sound”.

Although you will see different variations of certain letters when you try reading Vietnamese text, most letters are no different from those present in the majority of European languages. Reading signs and menus won’t be as challenging as it is in places that use different scripts, such as across the border in China, Laos, or Cambodia, for example.

Basic Vietnamese phrases for greeting s

After arriving in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh airport, you may find it useful to say a few basic Vietnamese phrases to get by. Those will most likely be things like hello, goodbye, thank you, and so on. It’s handy to learn these before you even land, so you can chat with your driver and greet the immigration officer. So, if you want to be able to communicate some simple things in the local language, here are a few of the most common phrases in Vietnamese:

• Xin chào (sin chow) – Hello. This is probably the thirst thing you’ll learn and hear in Vietnam. It’s always worth knowing how to say hello in the local language.
• Cho tôi hỏi (cho toy hoi) – Excuse me.
• Bạn tên là gì (ban tain la gi) – What’s your name?
• Tôi tên là… (toy ten la) – My name is…
• Bạn Khỏe không? (ban kwae kaung) – How are you?
• Bạn đến từ đâu? (ban den to dough) – Where are you from?
• Tôi đên tư…(toi den too) – I’m from…
• Tạm biệt (tam byet) – Goodbye.

Basic Vietnamese phrases for everyday use

Certain phrases are simply a must-know if you’re traveling around Vietnam . You will be able to reply to simple questions and say the most basic things such as yes, no, and thank you. Here are a few that we think every traveler visiting Vietnam should know:

• Dạ (zah) – Yes.
• Không (kaung) – No.
• Cảm ơn (cam uhn) – Thank you.
• Không, cảm ơn (kaung cam uhn) – No, thank you.
• Xin lôi (sin loy) – I’m sorry. It can be used both for apologizing or getting someone’s attention by saying excuse me.
• Làm ơn (lam uhn) – Please.
• Không sao đâu (kaung sao dou) – You’re welcome.

Basic Vietnamese phrases for getting around

Do you want to travel the length of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City? Are you renting a bike to travel around but can’t find your way? Here are a few simple phrases in Vietnamese that you can use to ask for directions and find your way around the narrow streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and other amazing parts of the country:

• Làm sao tôi đến được… (lam sao toi den duok) – How do I get to…
• Sân bay/phi trường (san bay/ fee cheu-uhng) – Airport. The first phrase is used in North Vietnam and the second one is used in the south.
• Nhà ga (niah gah) – Train station.
• Trạm xe buýt (cham seh bweet) – Bus station.
• Đường (dew-uhng) – street/road.
• Quẹo trái/ r ẽ trái (queu chai/sei chai) – Turn left. The first one is used in the southern parts of the country and the second is used in the northern regions.
• Quẹo phải/ r ẽ phải (queu fai/sei fai) – Turn right.
• Trước mặt (chuh mat) – Straight ahead.

Basic Vietnamese phrases for travelers

Whether you’re planning a backpacking adventure around Vietnam or simply a beach holiday on the stunning isle of Phu Quoc , there are a few phrases that could help you during your travels. Here are a few sentences in Vietnamese that should prove useful for travelers:

• Cứu (tôi) với (gih-oo (thoy) vuh-y) – Help me.
• Biết nói tiếng Anh không (byet noy tyeng ang kaumng) – Do you speak English?
• Tôi không hiểu (toi kaung heeyau) – I don’t understand.
• Tôi không biết nói tiếng Việt (toi kaung byet noy tyeng vyet) – I can’t speak Vietnamese.
• Cầu tiêu ở đâu? (koh tee-oh uh doh) – Where is the toilet?
• Tôi bị lạc (toi bee lack) – I’m lost.
• Tôi cần một bác sĩ (toy kuhn moht back see) – I need a doctor.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for food

Knowing some basic Vietnamese phrases when ordering food can be super handy, especially if you’re not one of those travelers that can eat everything that comes their way. Whether you’re veggie, vegan, or have any other dietary requirements, your requests can sometimes be misunderstood in English. Here are a few phrases that should solve those communication problems and let enjoy delicious Vietnamese cooking :

• Tôi ăn chay (toi an chai) – I’m vegetarian.
• Tôi thuần chay (toi twan chai) – I’m vegan.
• Tôi không thể ăn… (toi kaung tei an) – I can’t eat…
• (Thịt) gà (teet gah) – Chicken. Thit at the beginning is optional as it means meat.
• (Thịt) bò (teet baw) – Beef.
• (Thịt) lợn/heo (teet lo-on/heu) – Pork.
• Cá (kah) – fish
• Bao nhiêu tiền (bahw ngew tee-uhn) – How much is it?
• Thanh toán tiền (tain toan tee-uhn) ­– The check, please.
• Ngon lắm (ngawn luhm) – It was delicious!

Numbers in Vietnamese

Whether you want to order a couple of 333 beers or more than one delicious phở it might be handy to know a few numbers in Vietnamese. Rather than showing the numbers with your fingers you could learn how to say them. Here’s how you can count up to 10 and beyond in Vietnamese:

• một (moth) – one
• hai (high) – two
• ba (bah) – three
• bốn (bone) – four
• năm (nuhm) – five
• sáu (sao) – six
• bảy (bye) – seven
• tám (tahm) – eight
• chín (cheen) – nine
• mười (meui) – ten
• một trăm (moht cham) – 100

Some funny Vietnamese phrases

They say humor is a universal language. Let’s test that out with this section of funny Vietnamese phrases. These are the ones that you’ll use just before glugging your beer in a Ha Long bar or when you want to express your anger or desire to party in a, shall we say, smile-inducing way. Most are considered slang, so shouldn’t be used in official contexts. But they’re worth getting to grips with if you want to come across like a real local during your travels…

• Giận tím người (zan-tim-noy) – I am purple. Don’t worry, people won’t think you’re actually purple. This really means that you’re super-angry at something.
• Trăm phần tram (cham-phun-cham) – 100%. That’s all this means. When to use it? Like cheers or skol , this goes before you down your entire drink in a bar!
• Đi Đu Đưa Đi (di-du-du-di) – Go swinging. It means to party and you have this 2019 chart hit to thank for it entering the Vietnamese vocabulary.
• Cuộc sống mà (Kook-song-ma) – The Vietnamese version of the French c’est la vie , this one means, essentially, “ah, that’s life.” Again, it’s one inspired by a well-known pop song.
• Bó tay (bo-tay) – Means to drop everything and give up. You ain’t gonna’ win this one.
• Trẻ trâu (Chey-chow) – Trẻ trâu literally means a young water buffalo, but is now slang for a young and thoughtless person, particularly a youth who doesn’t respect their elders.

Basic Vietnamese phrases – the conclusion

This guide to basic Vietnamese phrases is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to learning this Austroasiatic language. That said, you don’t need to speak like a native to convey simple messages in Vietnamese that will help you during your travels. From useful sentences for travelers and for getting around to phrases used in day-to-day life, we’ve introduced 57 Vietnamese phrases with pronunciation guides that will help you impress the locals.

Although over 50 percent of Vietnamese people can speak English, it’s worth knowing some of the local lingo before touching down in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. Not only will you make sure that the food you order is suitable to your dietary requirements, but you will also be able to haggle better rates of tours and taxis on top of other things.

Is Vietnamese hard to learn?

Vietnamese is considered a very hard language to learn for natives of English. That’s mainly down to the fact that it’s a tonal language, which means that the way you pronounce something can have a profound effect on its meaning. Getting that right can often take years of practice and local knowledge, something a classroom textbook simply can’t offer.

What languages are spoken in Vietnam?

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Something like 90% of Vietnam’s population speak Vietnamese as their first language. They can be split into three dialectic groups, in the north, the south, and the center of the country. Other languages spoken widely here include English, Khmer, Chinese, and French.

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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Basic Vietnamese for Travel: A Guide for Beginners

If you are planning to visit Vietnam, it might be helpful to learn some basic Vietnamese phrases to communicate with the locals and enjoy your trip better. Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam, spoken by around 70 million people. It is a tonal language, meaning that the meaning of a word can change depending on how it is pronounced. Vietnamese has six tones, each marked by a different diacritic on the vowel.

This guide will teach you some essential Vietnamese phrases for travel, such as greetings, asking for directions, ordering food, and bargaining. We will also provide tips on pronunciation and some interesting facts about Vietnamese language and culture. Let’s get started!

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Greetings

The first thing you need to know is how to say hello in Vietnamese. The most common way to greet someone is:

• Xin chào! (sin chow) – Hello!

You can use this phrase in any situation, whether formal or informal, with anyone you meet. However, if you want to be more specific, you can also add the title of the person you are talking to, such as:

• Xin chào anh! (sin chow ahn) – Hello sir!
• Xin chào chị! (sin chow chee) – Hello ma’am!
• Xin chào em! (sin chow em) – Hello younger brother/sister!
• Xin chào cô! (sin chow co) – Hello auntie!
• Xin chào bác! (sin chow bac) – Hello uncle!

Note that these titles are not based on blood relation, but on age and gender. Anh and chị are used for people who are older than you, but not too old. Em is used for people who are younger than you, or for someone you are close to. Cô and bác are used for people who are much older than you, or as a sign of respect.

To say goodbye in Vietnamese, you can use:

• Tạm biệt! (tam bee-et) – Goodbye!

This phrase is also suitable for any situation and any person. However, if you want to be more casual, you can also say:

• Chào! (chow) – Bye!
• Chào anh/chị/em/cô/bác! (chow ahn/chee/em/co/bac) – Bye sir/ma’am/younger brother or sister/auntie/uncle!

To ask someone how they are doing in Vietnamese, you can say:

• Bạn có khỏe không? (ban co kwe kohng) – How are you?

This phrase literally means “Are you healthy?” and it is a polite way to show your concern for someone’s well-being. To answer this question, you can say:

• Dạ, tôi khỏe. Còn bạn? (zah, toy kwe. con ban) – Yes, I’m fine. And you?
• Không, tôi không khỏe. (kohng, toy kohng kwe) – No, I’m not well.

Dạ is a word that shows respect and agreement. You can use it when answering yes to a question or when accepting something from someone.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Everyday Use

There are some basic Vietnamese phrases that you will need to use frequently during your travel, such as:

• Cảm ơn! (cam uhn) – Thank you!
• Không cảm ơn! (kohng cam uhn) – No thank you!
• Xin lỗi! (sin loy) – I’m sorry! / Excuse me!
• Làm ơn! (lam uhn) – Please!
• Không sao đâu! (kohng sao doh) – You’re welcome! / No problem!

You can use these phrases in any situation where you want to express your gratitude, apology, request, or acceptance. For example:

• Cảm ơn anh đã giúp tôi! (cam uhn ahn da zup toy) – Thank you for helping me!
• Xin lỗi anh, tôi muốn hỏi đường. (sin loy ahn, toy moo-un hoy doong) – Excuse me sir, I want to ask for directions.
• Làm ơn cho tôi xem menu. (lam uhn cho toy sem me-noo) – Please let me see the menu.
• Không sao đâu, cứ thoải mái. (kohng sao doh, koo twy my) – No problem, just make yourself comfortable.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Getting Around

One of the most crucial things to know when traveling in Vietnam is how to get around. Whether you’re taking a taxi, bus, train, or motorbike, you’ll need to know some basic Vietnamese phrases related to transportation. Here are a few examples:

• Tôi muốn đi … (toy moo-un dee) – I want to go to …
• Tôi muốn thuê … (toy moo-un tweh) – I want to rent …
• Tôi muốn mua vé … (toy moo-un mwa veh) – I want to buy a ticket for …
• Bạn có biết … ở đâu không? (ban co bee-et … o doh kohng) – Do you know where … is?
• Làm ơn chỉ cho tôi cách đi … (lam uhn chee cho toy cah dee) – Please show me how to go to …

You can fill in the blanks with the name of the place or the mode of transportation you want. For example:

• Tôi muốn đi khách sạn. (toy moo-un dee kahk san) – I want to go to the hotel.
• Tôi muốn thuê xe máy. (toy moo-un tweh seh may) – I want to rent a motorbike.
• Tôi muốn mua vé tàu. (toy moo-un mwa veh tow) – I want to buy a train ticket.
• Bạn có biết nhà hàng ở đâu không? (ban co bee-et nya hang o doh kohng) – Do you know where the restaurant is?
• Làm ơn chỉ cho tôi cách đi bến xe. (lam uhn chee cho toy cah dee ben seh) – Please show me how to go to the bus station.

When you are in a taxi or a bus, you might also need to say:

• Dừng lại ở đây! (doong lie o day) – Stop here!
• Đi chậm lại! (dee cham lie) – Slow down!
• Đi nhanh lên! (dee nahn len) – Hurry up!

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Travelers

As a traveler, you will need some basic Vietnamese phrases to help with accommodation, sightseeing, shopping, and emergencies. Here are some examples:

• Tôi có đặt phòng ở đây. (toy co dat fong o day) – I have a reservation here.
• Tôi muốn xem phòng. (toy moo-un sem fong) – I want to see the room.
• Tôi muốn trả phòng. (toy moo-un tra fong) – I want to check out.
• Tôi muốn tham quan … (toy moo-un tam quan) – I want to visit …
• Tôi muốn mua … (toy moo-un mwa) – I want to buy …
• Bạn có thể giảm giá không? (ban co teh zam zah kohng) – Can you lower the price?
• Tôi bị lạc. (toy bee lak) – I’m lost.
• Tôi bị ốm. (toy bee om) – I’m sick.
• Tôi cần gọi cảnh sát/bác sĩ. (toy can goy canh sat/bac see) – I need to call the police/doctor.

You can fill in the blanks with the name of the attraction or the item you want. For example:

• Tôi muốn tham quan chùa Một Cột. (toy moo-un tam quan choo-a mot cot) – I want to visit the One Pillar Pagoda.
• Tôi muốn mua áo dài. (toy moo-un mwa ao die) – I want to buy an ao dai.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Food

One of the best things about traveling in Vietnam is the food. Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its freshness, diversity, and flavor. You will find many delicious dishes to try, such as phở, bánh mì, bún chả, gỏi cuốn, and more. To help you order food and enjoy your meal, here are some basic Vietnamese phrases for food:

• Tôi muốn ăn … (toy moo-un an) – I want to eat

We hope you have a great time exploring the culinary delights of Vietnam!

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100 basic Vietnamese phrases for a smooth travel (Updated 2023)

Knowing basic Vietnamese phrases is undoubtedly a privilege for travelers. The closer you get to the locals, the more you are unlocked from the country's hidden gems, hospitality, and also discounts.

Vietnamese people are renowned for their hospitality and generosity. Though the country's secondary language is English, only a minority uses it daily, especially in suburban areas. Knowing basic Vietnamese phrases is undoubtedly a privilege for travelers. The closer you get to the locals, the more you are unlocked from the country's hidden gems, hospitality, and discounts.

Though the Vietnamese language uses Latin alphabets, mastering it is not a cake due to the tone system and its variation. As a result, you get a lot to learn and practice. But, not to fear, you don't necessarily invest that much effort for a 2-weeks trip; we are about to get you covered with these essential, quick basic phrases to nail your first trip to this beautiful country.

Top things to do in Vietnam

Basic Vietnamese phrases for greetings.

Like many other Asian countries, Vietnamese people do not hug or kiss someone they meet for the first time. Most people don't feel comfortable with it, especially older folks. However, Vietnamese are fast at picking up new things, so you can do this next time after explaining them. For your first impression, use a friendly wave or handshake together with these greeting phrases.

• Hello (politely) = Xin chào (Sin chow)
• How are you doing? = Bạn khoẻ không? (Ban Kwe Khom)
• Thank you = Cảm on (kahm uhn)
• Sorry = Xin lỗi (Sin Loy)
• No Problem = Không có gì (Khong koh zi)
• Goodbye = Tạm biệt (Tarm Byeet)
• No, Thank You! = Không! Cảm ơn (Khom, kahm uhn)
• Can you speak English? = Bạn nói Tiếng anh được không? (Banh noi thien an durkh khom)
• How old are you? = Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi (Ban ban nyew twoi)
• I am __ years old = Tôi  ___ tuổi (toy ___ doyy)
• What is your name? = Tên bạn là gì? (Ten bang la zi)
• My name is ___ =   Tên tôi là  ___ (Ten toy la ___)

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Basic words to address people

When addressing younger people, regardless of gender, you use "em," and for yourself, you use "tôi." If you are addressing an older person, or in a formal scenario, you use "chị" for female and "anh" for male. In general, Vietnamese are very understanding and tend to forgive foreigners if they mix this up.

• I = tôi /toy/
• You = bạn /ban/
• Female (junior) = em
• Female (senior) = chị /ji/
• Male (junior) = em
• Male (senior) = anh

Basic Vietnamese phrases for direction and transportations

Vietnamese traffic is one of the attention-catching topics for first-time travelers—as one of the countries with the most scooters in the world, traveling through the city by scooter is a must-try experience. Public transportation and modern ride-hailing Apps are also available for your choices. Learn these essential phrases to get your driver better navigation of your destination.

• Where is the taxi rank? = Taxi ở đâu? (Taxis are dauh?)
• Where is the ATM? =   Máy ATM ở đâu? (May ATM urn dole)
• Go Straight = Đi thẳng ( Di Thaang)
• Go Left = Rẽ trái (Se chai)
• Go Right = Rẽ phảo (Se fih)
• Stop = Dừng lại ( Duhng laai)
• Go to the airport = Đi sân bay (Di sun bay)
• Can I have a map? = Cho tôi một cái bản đồ ( chor toi mot cai ban dor)
• How far is it = Bao xa (Bao seh)
• Far = Xa (seh)
• Close = Gần (Gunh)
• Downtown = Trung tâm thành phố (Trumh tam tan fo)
• District = Quận (Wung)
• Station = Ga
• Bus stop = Trạm xe bus (Tram seh butt)
• Where? = Ở đâu (uh dow?)
• Wait 5 minutes = Chờ năm phút (Churhn nam foot)

Basic Vietnamese phrases for shopping

While shopping in the traditional Vietnamese market , negotiating, or so-called "bargaining," is a fascinating experience for foreigners and locals. Chances are you get an excellent price or at least avoid being ripped-off with a 2-3 times marked up rate; you better know how to "bargain" in Vietnamese.

• How much? = Bao nhiêu? (Baow nyew)
• Too expensive = Mắc quá (Mac wa)
• Can you reduce the price? = Bớt được không? (Boat duoc khom)
• Do you want to sell? = Có bán không? ( cor ban kohm?)
• I want to buy = Tôi muốn mua (Toi mu-on mua)
• One size larger = Một size lớn hơn ( Mot size lunh hunh)
• One size smaller = Một size nhỏ hơn (Mot size nyunh hunh)
• *You are so pretty = Em đẹp quá (Em dep wah)
• *You are so handsome = Anh đẹp trai quá (Anh dep wah)

* One of the most cheeky but practical tips to earn your stuff at the best price is to give local vendors a friendly compliment. If you say something nice like "you are so pretty", they willingly consider a more affordable price.

Basic Vietnamese phrases for restaurants or coffee shops

Vietnamese people love flavorful dishes. However, when it comes to drinks, Vietnamese have a huge sweet tooth. So it's apparent that they season their food with a handful of spices & flavors, especially sugar. Make sure you ask in advance what your dishes contain and ask for a customized version. To get exactly what you want, you'll need those phrases to communicate with the waiters.

• Excuse me (to waitress) = Em ơi (for younger lady); Chi oi (for a senior)
• Excuse me (to waiter) = Anh ơi
• I am hungry = Tôi đói bụng (Toi doi bhung wa)
• What is it? = Cái gì vậy? (kai zi vai)
• The bill please = Tính tiền (Din ting)
• May I have the menu =  Cho tôi cái menu được không (cho toy khai menu duuc khom)
• I am allergic to peanut = Tôi dị ứng với đậu phộng (Doi yi ung voy dau fong)
• I can not eat pork = Tôi không ăn được thịt heo (Toi khom an duo tit hehll)
• I am vegetarian = Tôi ăn chay (Toi an chayh)
• I would like to have this = Cho tôi cái này ( Chor toi kah nai)
• Chicken = Gà (Gar)
• Rice = Cơm (Gurm)
• Rice Noodle = Bún (Bumg)
• Egg noodle = Mì (Mee)
• Pork = Heo (Heyoh)
• Beef = Bò (boh)
• Cold = Lạnh (Langh)
• Hot =  Nóng (noong)
• No Ice = Không đá (Khom dar)
• No sugar = Không đường (Khom dueng)
• Not spicy = Không cay (Khom kay)
• 1 more = Thêm một cái (tem mop kai)

One more thing as your meal ends, don't hesitate to ask for waiter and waitresses for the bill as they're likely never stop at your table as long as you call them.

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Basic Vietnamese numbers

The Vietnamese numbering system is straightforward, and once you get the hang of numbers 1-10, you can say any number up to 99. Unlike English, numbers above ten are told as if you just put the two numbers together. So, for example, 25 would be hai name, which translates to two five.

• 1 = Một (moat)
• 2 = Hai (high)
• 3 = Ba (bah)
• 4 = Bốn (bone)
• 5 = Năm (nom)
• 6 = Sáu (shao)
• 7 = Bảy (by)
• 8 = Tám (tom)
• 9 = Chín (chin)
• 10 = Mười (mooy)
• Ten = Mươi (mooy)
• Hundred = Trăm (charm)
• Thousand = Nghìn (ngeen)
• Currency (Đồng) = dong

Basic sizes & color

• Big = Lớn (lungh)
• Small = Nhỏ (N-yor)
• Medium = Vừa (vurh)
• Less = Ít (Eet)
• More = Thêm (temh)
• Long = Dài (yai)
• Short = Ngắn (nhang)
• Blue = Xanh dương (San yoong)
• Red = Đỏ (Dorh)
• Yellow = Vàng

Basic Vietnamese phrases for emergency

• I need to see a doctor = Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ (toy can gap back szi)
• I am sick = Tôi bị bệnh (Toy bee benh)
• I need to go to the hospital = Tôi cần đi bệnh viện (Toy can di ben vien)
• I had food poisoning = Tôi bị ngộ độc thức ăn (Toy bee nyo doc thuch an)
• I was robbed = Tôi bị cướp (Toi bee cuoop)
• Call the police = Gọi cảnh sát (Goi gang sack)
• Help me = Cứu tôi với (Coo toy vuyh)

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15 Essential Vietnamese Phrases for Travelers in Vietnam

After travelling in Vietnam for a number of months, I continuously find myself needing a core set of phrases. Here, we present audio and tonal-annotations to help you learn 15 key expressions for travellers in Vietnam: from “Help!” to “Wifi password please” to “That’s too expensive!”

TIP FOR VIETNAM

Make a mobile bookmark of this page so you can play the audio recordings for Vietnamese people who can’t understand what you are saying.

These expressions also serve as great mini-lessons to learn a little Vietnamese grammar and tones : below the play button, be sure to follow the tonal-annotations to learn the words’ proper tones. We use the following key:

• – flat tone
• u up-tone (á)
• d down-tone (à)
• ub up-broken tone (ã)
• sd short-down tone (ạ)
• w “weird” tone (ả)

Read more about the Vietnamese tones here .

1) How much is it?

Bao nhiêu tiền?

2) I want to buy this

Tôi muốn mua cái này

Notice the similar “subject – verb – verb – object” form, as in English, for simple declarative statements. But the definite article (“this”) comes after the noun (“thing”) and not before, unlike in English.

3) What is the WIFI password?

Pass WIFI là gì?

Notice that English words absorbed into Vietnamese always lose their their final consonant (like in French). The word “Password” is an extreme example of this kind of elaison, whereby the entire word is truncated to just “Pass”.

Note: if you find it strange that “gì” is pronounced like “zee” in Vietnamese, be sure to read our Audio Guide to Vietnamese Consonants .

4) Does this bus go to Hanoi?

Xe bus này đi đến Hà Nội phải không?

Notice that the word “bus” isn’t pronounced as in English; rather, the terminal-s is almost silent, resulting in a “bwe(s)” sound.

The words “phải không” convert the expression into a question; they roughly corresponds to an English “Does …?” or “Do …?”

5) I don’t eat meat/pork/dog

Tôi không ăn thịt/ thịt heo/ thịt chó.

Remember that the Vietnamese “th” is not pronounced like the English th (as in th ick). Instead, “th” is a hard-t with an aspirated “h”. In the accompanying audio, try to listen for that “h”.

6) Do you understand me?

Bạn hiểu ý tôi chứ?

Notice that “chứ” is like “không” in that it converts a declarative statement into a question, but it is considered more polite than không. Notice also that this kind of question is considered a “what” question, and not a “do” question.

An alternative and informal way to ask “do you understand” is “hiểu không?” You could ask this among friends and family, but, assuming you are a tourist, this would be slightly rude to ask strangers.

7) I don’t understand

Tôi không hiểu

Notice that in this case, “không” means “no” or “don’t” when placed after the pronoun, and not as a question indicator, when placed at the end of the sentence.

This phrase is so important for travellers in Vietnam, we have a full post dedicated to How to say “I don’t understand” in Vietnamese.

8) Could you repeat that?

Bạn nói lại được không?

9) Where is it on the map?

Đây là đâu trên bản đồ?

Notice the d with the diacritic line through it (đ) is a hard English d. All other Vietnamese d’s are actually pronounced like a “z” sound (in the North).

10) It is too expensive!

“Đắt quá” (too expensive!) is a short & sweat expression that will you definitely need to know in Vietnam if you go shopping as a foreigner. See our article on how to haggle in Vietnam for more on this topic.

11) Help me!

Giúp tôi với!

There are two versions of this expression: “Giúp tôi với!” is for non-life-threatening situations, whereas “Cứu tôi với!” conveys more seriousness. Both will get people’s attention. Notice that the terminal “với” is a non-translatable word that imparts a degree of politeness, yet doesn’t reduce the urgency of the request.

This phrase is so important to travellers in Vietnam, see our full post on How to ask for help in Vietnamese.

12) I’ve been robbed

Tôi bị cướp

Vietnamese is interesting in that there are two expressions for “I’ve been robbed!”, which differ based on on whether you know the guilty party:

• tôi bị cướp – someone robbed me, but I don’t know who did it
• tôi đã bị trấn lột – I was robbed and I know who did it

Fun fact: the word for theif is “người ăn cướp” – which makes sense if you’ve read our post on the word for người .

13) Please give me back my passport

Vui lòng trả lại hộ chiếu cho tôi

In the West, you may have been instructed to never leave your passport in someone else’s possession. In Vietnam, however, if you want to stay at a hotel, they will try to hold onto your passport in their safe-keeping during your stay (it may even be the official policy in Vietnam). With a little confidence and tact, you can use this expression to try to get your passport back and keep it.

The larger 3-star to 5-star hotels and resorts generally don’t do this, whereas many smaller establishes are more afraid of breaking compliance with the law. However, once they have a copy and have written down the information, they are not legally required to hold onto your passport. If they still insist, you can try offering to pay upfront for your stay.

14) I am sick

15) what are you doing tonight.

Bạn sẽ làm gì tối nay?

Note that the similarity between “tối nay” and “tonight” is just a coincidence.

BONUS: Do you speak English?

Ong/bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?

Learning how to say “Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?” is actually not very useful, because if you do ask “Do you speak English” in English, and your Vietnamese interlocutor remains confused, then you already have your answer.

Nonetheless, there is some value in attempting to speak the proper VIetnamese expression, as a sign of respect.

Other Helpful Vietnamese Expressions

Interested in learning more? Please see our Word Of The Day blog that provides more expressions and key cultural insights about Vietnam, through the lens of helpful words and phrases.

• Hello! – Xin Chào
• Good-bye – Tạm biệt
• How are you today? – Ăn cơm chưa?
• Please excuse me – Xin lỗi
• Thank you – Cảm ơn
• I don’t understand – Tôi không hiểu
• Yes/no in Vietnamese –  Có / Không

Are there other expressions that are helpful in Vietnam? Leave us a comment below.

Will is a researcher in Toronto who has lived and worked in Vietnam. On his own journey learning Vietnamese, he realized the best way to learn a language is to embed the lessons in stories, cultural insights and history.

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Vietnam Language & travel dictionary

Vietnamese (tiếng Việt) is the national and official language of Vietnam and is spoken by a large majority of the population. It is also one of the few languages ​​in Asia that uses the Latin alphabet instead of symbols. This makes it a lot easier to interpret street signs and even learn to speak in Vietnamese.

Do they also speak English in Vietnam?

In major cities and tourist areas in the south, communicating in English is becoming increasingly easy as Vietnam is becoming increasingly touristy. Due to high demand, the government has set up programs to improve English-language lessons in schools. However, if you plan to go to smaller cities or rural areas, it may be useful to know at least one Vietnamese basis.

In the south, where the inhabitants have often worked for the Americans in the past, knowledge of English is the best. Assume that most older Vietnamese cannot speak a word of English. Young people in particular can speak better English. Although some of them are shy towards foreigners, they will be happy to help you if you get lost and ask for directions. Some others would like to talk to you because that helps them improve their communication in the English language. Hotels, restaurants in tourist areas most Vietnamese also speak English.

Greetings in Vietnamese

How you greet and then speak to someone in Vietnam depends very much on their gender, and on their age and social status compared to yours. As a general rule of thumb, if you address a man as b, and a woman as b, you can be sure that you are not rude. If you find yourself in a conversation, formal or informal, with someone of your estimated age, you can use anh (for a man) and chi (for a woman).

Pronunciation

The difficulty of the Vietnamese language is in the pronunciation. It is a tonal language with single-syllable words. Each syllable can be pronounced at six different pitches: toneless, ascending, rapidly descending, slowly descending, floating or interrupted. Characters above the letters indicate the pitch. By varying the pitch a word can have six different meanings and an erroneous pronunciation quickly leads to confusion.

Travel Dictionary Dutch – Vietnamese

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• Transportation

Vietnam Language

When visiting Vietnam, learning the local Vietnamese lingo is essential to elevating your stay and understanding the culture.  However, most areas with a lot of tourists feature an abundance of English speakers, so getting by is easy. That being said, there are times when speaking the language is crucial, so learning the most commonly used phrases for tourists is recommended

Popular Vietnamese Phrases for Tourists

From the basic greetings, such as hello, goodbye, thank you and you’re welcome, to counting from zero to a hundred, there are certain things you should learn. Vietnam uses some words multiple times, depending on the context. They also have several tone marks over the letters, indicating how to pronounce them.

How do you say cheers in Vietnamese?

Guide to learning the vietnamese language.

The Vietnamese language originated in Vietnam and is considered to be an Austroasiatic and analytic language, with over 90 million speakers all around the globe. While the language used to be more similar to other South East Asia dialects, a large portion of the words has Chinese and French roots.

As China and France gained power within the country, terms from the languages were combined with the Vietnamese language. For example, “dam” meaning “woman” in Vietnamese which comes from the French word “madame”, and “train station” which is “ga” comes from the term “gare” in French.

Variation in Language

There are three main dialects of the language in Vietnam: North, Central, and South. Their main differences are not just in sound, but vocab and structure, with the Central tongue being the most different from the other dialects. To be even more specific, the central dialects can be divided into three areas to include the northern central, mid-central, and southern-central regions.

Even though the north and south regions have their own accents and ways of pronouncing words, there are many southerners in the north and vice versa. The most standard version of Vietnamese is the version learned and spoken in Hanoi . In Vietnamese communities abroad, this is the accent that they use the most, as well as what is taught in language programs.

An example of how one word can vary across the country is:

• Central: mô

“Rice field”

• Central: đọi
• South: chén

Learning Vietnamese

It can be difficult to learn Vietnamese because of its six tones that command the meaning of a word. English speakers might not be familiar with this kind of language, but those who know Chinese will have a lot easier time especially with some of the vocabulary being similar.

Another aspect of Vietnamese that can make it easier than other languages is the fact that it’s analytical, meaning there are no conjugations, plurals, multiple verb endings, or word “genders” to worry about.

Vietnamese Alphabet

There are 11 vowels and 18 consonants in the Vietnamese language. The alphabet used is identical to the ISO basic Latin one, where the letters f, j, w, and z aren’t used except to differentiate the meanings and tones from one dialect to another or include loan words.

There are six unique tones in the Vietnamese language that are marked with distinguishing accents. Four tones are identified with markings above the vowels, while another is noted with a marking underneath them.

The last tone is the unmarked vowels without any modifications. Knowing each one’s type and function can help you correctly write and pronounce words.

• Á É Í Ó Ú Ý
• á é í ó ú ý

The acute tone has a forward slash above the vowels, indicating a high-rising pitch. The marking is placed more on the right side of each letter, and if combined with other accents, must be clearly defined.

• À È Ì Ò Ù Ỳ
• à è ì ò ù ỳ

A grave accent is a backward slash over the vowels, dictating a low pitch. It leans towards the left side of the letter without falling off, and like acute, must be separated from any other accents when combined.

• Ả Ẻ Ỉ Ỏ Ủ Ỷ
• ả ẻ ỉ ỏ ủ ỷ

This accent resembles a question mark without the dot below and signifies a mid-low dropping pitch.

• Ã Ẽ Ĩ Õ Ũ Ỹ
• ã ẽ ĩ õ ũ ỹ

A tilde denotes a high-rising pitch and looks like a letter ‘S’ on its side above the vowels.

• Ạ Ẹ Ị Ọ Ụ Ỵ
• ạ ẹ ị ọ ụ ỵ

The underdot marking is a dot placed beneath the vowels and signifies a low dropping pitch.

The unmarked vowels have no particular accent and have sounds varying from low to high ranges.

Other Languages Spoken in Vietnam

Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam, making it commonly spoken among residents. A second favored language is English, followed by French and Chinese. Some of the minor languages also spoken include Muong, Cham, and Khmer. There are also some native tribes still in the wilderness of Vietnam that speak their own languages and dialects.

Vietnamese for Tourists

Even though English is widely spoken in Vietnam, many locals including those who live in rural areas don’t use it on a frequent basis, if ever. Occasionally, Because of that, it can be incredibly useful to know a few phrases in the native language to get you by wherever you are in the country.

Top Phrases for Common Situations

Having a handful of phrases to use in any given instance can make things a lot easier for you and whoever you are trying to communicate with. Not only will you accomplish what you’re trying to do or get faster, but it might also help you to form some friendships with locals!

Bars – Drinking is a social activity that people enjoy in most countries, so knowing how to say “cheers” and order a round of drinks for your group is essential.

Restaurants  – Dining out is a big part of the overall Vietnamese experience, and being able to have basic communication skills with your waiter is going to help you get the meals you like the most.

Ordering Street Food  – When walking around the street markets, you’ll notice how busy and loud it can get among the crowds. Knowing a few words to get by in a conversation with vendors will assist you in being able to talk about and purchase street food with more ease.

Bargaining  – Everyone wants the best deal, so being able to bargain is not only advantageous while shopping on the markets , but it’s expected. Especially at the street markets and vendors, bargaining is typically practiced.

Directions  – It can get confusing to walk through an unfamiliar city where you don’t speak the native language. Knowing how to ask for basic directions can help point you on the right path before you get too turned around.

Basic Questions  – Being able to ask basic questions like, “Where is the nearest bathroom?” or “Can you recommend a restaurant?” might be

It would be difficult not to learn a few words of Vietnamese traveling through the country, so hopefully this guide has helped you to get a better understanding of the overall language.

Practice what you’ve learned

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The Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Easy Travel

Vietnam is a developing country so nowadays there are not only international tourists, students and workers also come here to study, work and seek opportunities to develop themselves. Learning the basic Vietnamese phrases brings you great advantages in understanding our culture, tradition and in facilitating day-to-day communication with the local people. Although the Vietnamese language is not simple because there are quite complicated tones, nevertheless try to learn some simple and short words/phrases below that are used very often in everyday life.

Vietnamese language and writing

1. the vietnamese language.

The Vietnamese language is a monosyllabic, tonal language. In Vietnam now, most people speak the country's official language despite the fact that each region has its own different dialect, especially in remote areas where ethnic minorities live, people speak their "lingual dialect" in daily life, which is totally different from the official language.

The framework of ethnic languages is very rich, comprising five language families:

• Austroasiatic language family: includes two language groups Viet-Muong and Mon-Khmer
• Tai-Kadai language family: includes the Tay-Thai and Kadai groups
• Hmong-Mien language family
• Sino-Tibetan language family: includes the Tibeto-Burmese and Han groups
• Austronesian language family

This explains why some ethnic Tai living on the border with Laos and some Laotians can understand each other because the dialects of ethnic Tai and the Lao language are from the same language family. Linguistic interaction is a fairly widespread thing in South East Asia for both historical and cultural aspects. In the Vietnamese language there are also words derived from the French language with very similar pronunciation, for example 'coffee - cà phê'; 'lancer - lăng xê', 'chemise - sơ mi'.

2. The Vietnamese script

From ancient times, the script used in Vietnam was the ideograms caused by the influence of Chinese domination in the bureaucratic, commercial and educational spheres until the beginning of the 20th century. However, such complicated writing was not suitable for everyone, so from the 8th century onwards, an own method was developed, namely the 'Nom' script, the Vietnamese ideograms.

The Latin script used now was formed by Catholic missionaries in Vietnam at the beginning of the 17th century. Mr Francisco de Pina was the first missionary who spoke fluent Vietnamese and started to develop a method to record Vietnamese using Latin letters. Then the missionary Alexandre de Rhodes systematised and institutionalised the script through the dictionary Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum printed in 1651 in Rome. Other missionaries who contributed to the formation of the script were Francesco Buzomi, Christoforo Borri, Girolamo Maiorica and Antonio de Fontes.

Therefore, despite the difficulty in pronouncing 6 tones, you can read our script easily because we use the Latin script and pronounce it exactly as it is written.

Let's learn Basic Vietnamese Phrases

1. numbers in vietnamese.

1. Một --> One 2. Hai --> Two 3. Ba --> Three 4. Bốn --> Four 5. Năm --> Five 6. Sáu --> Six 7. Bảy --> Seven 8. Tám --> Eight 9. Chín --> Nine 10. Mười --> Ten

2. Basic Vietnamese phrases for greeting

Xin chào! --> Hello! Chào buổi sáng! --> Good morning! Bạn tên là gì? --> What's your name? Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi? --> How old are you? Bạn có khoẻ không? --> How are you? Cảm ơn! --> Thank you! Xin lỗi! --> Excuse me! Tạm biệt! --> Goodbye! Gặp lại sau nhé! --> See you later! Hẹn sớm gặp lại! --> See you soon! See you soon! Chúc một ngày tốt lành! --> Have a nice day!

3. Introduce yourself in Vietnamese

Tên tôi là... --> My name is.... Tôi... tuổi --> I am … years old. Tôi đến từ nước Ý --> I'm from Italy Tôi là người Singapore --> I'm Singaporean. Tôi là giáo viên/bác sĩ/kỹ sư/kiến trúc sư... --> I'm a teacher/I'm a doctor/engineer/architect Tôi thích đọc sách/ bơi lội/ đạp xe/ tập thể thao/ hát/ chơi đàn piano... --> I like reading books/ swimming/ cycling/ exercising/ singing/ playing piano....

4. Directions in Vietnamese

Ở đâu? --> Where? Ga tàu ở đâu? --> Where is the train station? Sân bay ở đâu? --> Where is the airport? Có xa đây không? --> Is it far?  Có gần đây không?  --> Is it close? Đi thẳng! --> Go straight! Rẽ trái! --> Turn left! Rẽ phải! --> Turn right! Dừng lại! --> Stop! Đằng trước --> In front Đằng sau --> Behind Ở trên --> Above Ở dưới --> Below

5. Common Vietnamese phrase in shopping

Cái này bao nhiêu tiền? --> How much is it? Tôi muốn mua nó! --> I would like to buy this! Cái này có bán không? --> Is this for sale? Đắt quá! --> How expensive! Giảm giá cho tôi được không? --> Can you give me a discount?

6. Simple communication in Vietnamese restaurant

Cho tôi xin menu được không? --> May I see the menu?  Tôi muốn gọi món! --> I would like to order! Bạn muốn dùng món nào? --> What will you have? Đồ ăn --> Dishes Đồ uống --> Beverages Ít đường - Không đường --> Less sugar - no sugar Không đá --> No ice Thơm quá! --> How fragrant! Ngon quá! Rất ngon! --> Yummy! Delicious! Nóng quá! --> So hot! Lạnh quá! --> So cold! Tính tiền/ Thanh toán --> Check the bill, please!

7. Useful Vietnamese phrases in an urgent case

Cứu tôi! --> Help me! Tôi cần giúp đỡ! --> I need help! Tôi mệt! --> I'm tired! Tôi đau họng (ho)! --> I have a sore throat (a cough)! Tôi đau bụng! --> I have a stomachache! Tôi cần đi bệnh viện! --> I need to go to the hospital! Cháy! --> Fire! Tôi bị mất hộ chiếu --> I lost my passport Tôi bị trộm tiền/ túi --> They stole my money/ purse Tôi muốn đi vệ sinh--> I'd like to go to the toilet.

Hope that the above basic Vietnamese phrases will help you communicate with local people and travel with more fun. If you want to learn any other phrases, please comment below so that we can share more. Happy travelling!

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02 Comments

• Reggie Marta Australia

Xin chao, your culture is so colour. I am planning to visit Vietnam in October with my son. Your lessons are very useful. Cam on ban.

• Kayla Le Vietnam

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Vietnamese Language History and Learning: A Comprehensive Guide

Venturing into the Vietnamese language is like opening a door to a fascinating world where language intertwines with culture and history. This guide aims to be your first step on a rewarding journey, offering insights into the Vietnamese language’s history and practical tips for learning its basics. Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to deepen your understanding, this exploration of Vietnamese language basics is designed to captivate and inform.

Vietnam Travel Tours

Introduction

The Vietnamese language serves as a window into the culture and traditions of Vietnam, offering learners more than just linguistic skills but a deeper understanding of a rich cultural heritage. This guide is crafted to ease your entry into learning Vietnamese, emphasizing the language’s history, fundamental elements, and the joy of unlocking its secrets. It’s a journey that promises to be as enriching as it is educational.

Understanding Vietnamese is not merely about memorizing words and grammar rules but about connecting with a culture that has a storied past and a vibrant present. As we embark on this journey together, let’s keep an open mind and embrace the nuances that make Vietnamese a truly fascinating language to learn.

The Roots of Vietnamese Language

Vietnamese language history is as layered and complex as the country’s own history. Originating from the Austroasiatic language family, it has undergone significant evolution over the centuries. The language’s development was heavily influenced by periods of Chinese domination, leading to a significant incorporation of Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary. However, the core of Vietnamese remains distinct, with its own unique syntax and grammatical structures.

The transition from the traditional Chữ Nôm script, which was heavily based on Chinese characters, to the Romanized alphabet known as Quốc Ngữ in the 20th century marked a pivotal moment in making the language more accessible to the wider population. This shift not only democratized language learning but also paved the way for a surge in Vietnamese literature and education.

Vietnamese Language Basics

Learning Vietnamese language basics involves familiarizing oneself with its alphabetic system, tonal nature, and grammatical rules. The alphabet is a modified version of the Latin alphabet, with additional diacritics to denote tones and certain vowel and consonant sounds unique to Vietnamese. This makes the learning curve for speakers of other Latin-based languages somewhat smoother, despite the initial challenge the tones might present.

The basics of Vietnamese grammar are relatively straightforward, with a subject-verb-object sentence structure that is familiar to English speakers. However, the language’s true complexity lies in its use of tones to differentiate meaning, a feature that adds depth and nuance to the learning process.

The Tonal Nature of Vietnamese

Vietnamese stands out among languages for its use of tone to convey meaning. Six distinct tones can dramatically change a word’s meaning, making tone mastery crucial for effective communication. This tonal system can be challenging for learners not accustomed to tonal languages, as it requires not just memorization but also fine-tuned auditory skills and pronunciation practice.

Each tone in Vietnamese has its own set of rules for pronunciation, and the difference between tones can be subtle yet significant. Learning to distinguish and reproduce these tones is essential for anyone looking to achieve fluency in Vietnamese, as even a slight mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings.

The Writing System: A Blend of History and Modernity

Vietnamese uses a unique writing system that reflects its historical journey. The Quốc Ngữ system, developed by Portuguese missionaries in the 17th century, was designed to transcribe Vietnamese sounds using the Latin alphabet, supplemented with diacritical marks to indicate tones and certain sounds not found in European languages. This system made literacy more accessible and facilitated the spread of education and literature in Vietnam.

The adoption of Quốc Ngữ marked a significant shift from the use of classical Chinese characters and contributed to the development of a distinct Vietnamese cultural and literary identity. Today, it serves as a bridge between Vietnam’s rich historical past and its dynamic present, enabling the preservation of the country’s literary heritage while supporting contemporary literary and scholarly work.

Common Challenges in Learning Vietnamese

One of the main hurdles in learning Vietnamese is mastering its tonal nature, which can be daunting for those not used to tonal languages. The subtlety of tone differences requires keen listening and practice to grasp and reproduce accurately. Additionally, the language’s syntax and grammar, while not overly complicated, present their own set of challenges, particularly in terms of verb forms and the use of classifiers.

Another challenge is the vocabulary, which includes many words that sound similar to the untrained ear but differ in meaning based on tone. This similarity can lead to confusion and requires learners to develop a good ear for tonal distinctions. Moreover, cultural nuances embedded in the language can be difficult to understand without a deep dive into Vietnamese culture and social norms.

Practical Tips for Learning Vietnamese

To effectively learn Vietnamese, immersion and consistent practice are key. Engaging with native speakers and consuming Vietnamese media can significantly enhance your understanding and fluency. Language exchange platforms offer opportunities to practice with native speakers, while watching Vietnamese films or listening to Vietnamese music can help with tone recognition and vocabulary building.

Incorporating language learning apps and online resources into your study routine can also be beneficial. These tools often offer interactive exercises and games that make learning both effective and enjoyable. Additionally, setting specific, achievable goals can help maintain motivation and track progress over time.

The Role of Culture in Learning Vietnamese

Understanding Vietnamese culture is integral to mastering the language, as cultural context shapes the way language is used and understood. Familiarity with Vietnamese customs, traditions, and social norms can enrich your learning experience, providing deeper insights into the meanings and usage of words and phrases.

Participating in cultural events, whether locally or through travel, can offer practical opportunities to use Vietnamese in real-life contexts and understand its cultural nuances. This cultural immersion not only enhances language skills but also fosters a greater appreciation for Vietnam’s rich heritage and contemporary society.

Resources for Learning Vietnamese

A wide range of resources is available for those interested in learning Vietnamese. Online courses and language learning apps provide structured learning paths and flexibility, catering to different levels from beginner to advanced. Traditional resources, such as textbooks and language schools, offer comprehensive instruction and the opportunity for in-person practice.

Websites and social media platforms also offer valuable materials, including tutorials, language exchange forums, and cultural insights. These resources can complement formal study by providing diverse, real-world contexts for language use.

Keeping Motivated in Your Vietnamese Learning Journey

Staying motivated is crucial for language learning success. Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, can boost confidence and encourage further progress. Joining a community of learners can provide support, motivation, and opportunities for practice.

Remember, learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience, persistence, and a positive attitude are essential. Reflecting on your progress and setting new goals can keep you focused and motivated throughout your learning journey.

The Future of the Vietnamese Language

The Vietnamese language is experiencing a renaissance, both within Vietnam and globally, as more people seek to learn it for cultural, business, and personal reasons. Its unique characteristics and the growing interest in Vietnamese culture and tourism are contributing to an increased demand for Vietnamese language skills.

As Vietnam continues to emerge as a key player in the global economy, the importance of its language is set to grow. This presents an exciting opportunity for learners to engage with Vietnamese in a way that enriches their personal and professional lives.

The journey to learn Vietnamese is a journey into the heart of a culture that is as rich as it is diverse. By embracing the challenges and celebrating the joys of learning, you can unlock a world of opportunities. Whether for personal fulfillment, cultural understanding, or professional advancement, mastering Vietnamese language basics opens doors to new experiences and deeper connections.

1. How long does it typically take to learn Vietnamese basics? The timeframe varies based on individual effort and learning environment, but with dedication, beginners can grasp the basics in a few months.

2. Are there any similarities between Vietnamese and other languages? Vietnamese has borrowed extensively from Chinese, and to a lesser extent, French and English, providing familiar ground for learners with knowledge in these languages.

3. What is the best way to practice Vietnamese tones? Regular listening to native speakers and practicing pronunciation with feedback from language apps or native speakers can improve tone mastery.

4. Can learning Vietnamese help with career opportunities? Yes, proficiency in Vietnamese can open career opportunities in various fields such as diplomacy, international business, tourism, and education.

5. Is it necessary to live in Vietnam to become fluent in Vietnamese? While

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It is always a good idea to have useful Vietnamese phrases in your pocket as a foreigner. In general, the Vietnamese people will appreciate your efforts to speak their language, and most people, even those working in the service industries, do not speak English fluently. 

Learning Vietnamese opens up employment opportunities for expats who want to work not just in Vietnam but around the world. For tourists, learning at least a little Vietnamese opens the gates to immersive travel experiences rich in culture and local experiences. 

Famously, Nelson Mandela once said:

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

So, let’s get started with:

• Basic Phrases
• How to Address People 
• General Vietnamese phrases
• Numbers 1 to 10 and Beyond
• Getting/Giving Directions 
• Useful Phrases for Shopping
• What to Say at a Restaurant/ For Take-away/ For Delivery 
• COVID-19 Useful Words and Phrases

First, A Guide To Vietnamese Pronunciation

In order to learn the Vietnamese language, you need to know vocabulary and grammar. However, people often overlook the importance of pronunciation.

In Vietnamese, pronunciation is one of the most difficult aspects of the language because of the various tones and the unique way of using the alphabet. Here are some basic rules of producing Vietnamese:

Đ – D with a stroke is pronounced like the English ‘d’.  The tip of your tongue touches behind your top front teeth.

D (with no stroke) – This is pronounced as a ‘yer’ sound. For example dạ – meaning ‘yes’ is pronounced ‘ya’.

E – This is pronounced as the ‘e’ in bed.

G – is often pronounced like the ‘g’ in “good” for words like ga – chicken.

Gi – However, ‘g’ words coupled with ‘i’ are pronounced with a ‘yer’ sound (in the south) or ‘zer’ (from the North). For example: ‘gi’ (yee / zee) means ‘what’.  

I – is pronounced like the ‘i’ in “hemisphere”.

Ng – is pronounced like the ng in ‘finger’ or ‘sing’.  The back of your tongue touches the back of your mouth. For words like ‘Nguyen’ try making the final sound of ‘sing’ first and then add the ‘-uyen’ after.

Q – is often pronounced as a ‘wa’ sound (not like ‘kew’ in English

R – is pronounced with a roll like in Spanish.

X – is pronounced as a ‘s’ sound. So in the case of motorbike – ‘xe máy’ this sounds like ‘sair migh’.

Y – is like the English ‘e’. Spaghetti in Vietnamese is ‘mỳ ý’ (Mee ee).

The last thing to remember is that Vietnamese pronunciation places less importance on the final sound of the word and often the final consonant is silent. For example, ‘Phuc’ (a person’s name) is not pronounced with a final ‘k’ sound, but this ‘k’ sound is stopped just short with a closed mouth (not an open mouth like you would say in English).

1. Basic Phrases

 These useful Vietnamese phrases will come in handy no matter how much time you spend in Vietnam. Familiarise yourself with these commonly used Vietnamese words as you will find that you will be using them all the time here!

• Hello / Xin chào (sin chow) 
• Goodbye  /  Hẹn gặp lại (hen gap lie)
• Thank you / Cảm ơn (gam urn) 
• Sorry / Xin lỗi (sin loy) 
• No problem / không sao (khom sow)
• Yes /  Dạ (yeah)
• No /  Không (khom)
• My name is _____ / tôi tên _____ (toy turn _____)
• Woman /  Phụ nữ (fu noo)
• Man / Nam (sounds like ‘mam’ with an ‘n’) 

2. How to Address People 

Next up, you will be learning how to address people in Vietnamese. The Vietnamese have a complex system of how to properly address each other according to age, gender, and family structure. Of course, the Vietnamese people understand foreigners may not get the subtleties of all the addresses, and you can get away with knowing just the following:

• I, Me / tôi (toy) 
• You / bạn (bun)
• When speaking to a younger person, call them ‘ em ’(em).
• When speaking to an older woman, call her ‘c hị’   (che).
• When speaking to an older man, call him ‘ anh’ (un).

Related article: Vietnamese Culture: Etiquette, Tips And Traditions

3. General Vietnamese phrases

• This is my wife/ husband /  Đây là vợ / Đây là chồng  (day la ver / day la chong)
• This is my boyfriend/ girlfriend / Đây là bạn trai /  Đây là bạn gái  (day la ban chai / day la ban guy)
• This is my friend/ housemate /  Đây là bạn / Đây là bạn cùng nhà (day la ban / day la ban cun n-air)
• I don’t understand / Không hiểu (khom heew)
• Call the police / Gọi cảnh sát ngay (goiy gunh sut ngay)
• Help me / Giúp tôi với (yoop toy voy)

4. How To Say Numbers 1 to 10 and Beyond – Vietnamese Numbers Pronunciation

 Here we have numbers 1 to 10, which you may need when shopping, for phone numbers, or for addresses, etc. 

• 1 / Một (sounds like ‘mop’ with a ‘t’)
• 2 / Hai (hi)
• 3 / Ba (bear)
• 4 / Bốn (bom)
• 5 / Năm (nam)
• 6 / Sáu (sow)
• 7 / Bảy (bye)
• 8  / Tám (tem) 
• 9 / Chín (qin) 
• 100 / Một trăm (mot chum)
• 500 / Năm trăm (nam chum)
• 1000 / Một ngàn (mot ngh-an)
• 5000 / Năm ngàn (nam ngh-an)
• 10,000 / Mười ngàn (moo-ay ngh-an)
• 100,000 / Một trăm ngàn ( mot chum ngh-an)
• 1,000,000 / Một triệu (mot chew)
• 5,000,000 / Năm triệu (nam chew)

Also, to say ‘cheers’, the Vietnamese will say ‘một, hai, ba, yoooo’! Remember this phrase for an easy way to make friends. 

5. Getting/ Giving Directions In Vietnamese

Whether you are asking for directions to the nearest tourist monument, directing your taxi driver, or collecting parcels or food delivery from a shipper, these Vietnamese phrases will not be out of place! 

• Where are you? / Bạn ở đâu (bun er daw)
• Where is the bathroom? /  Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? (nah veh sin er daw)
• Where is the _____? / _____ ở đâu? (In Vietnamese grammar, the location/noun comes first)
• Go straight / Đi thẳng (di tang)
• Turn right / Rẽ phải (rail-o fie)
• Turn left / Rẽ trái (rail-o try)
• Here / ở đây (er dye) 
• 5 minutes / Năm phút (nam foot) 

6. Useful Phrases For Shopping In Vietnam

Of course, there is always shopping to be done. Bargaining is an art enjoyed by the shopkeepers and it is fine to negotiate a little, keeping in mind that the vendors are trying to make a living. 

• How much? / Bao nhiêu (bow new)
• Too expensive / Mắc quá (mack wear)
• Discount please / Bớt nha (boc n-air)
• I want to buy / Tôi muốn mua (toy moon moo-ah)

7. What to Say at a Restaurant/ For Take-away/ For Delivery 

• To get the attention of the waitstaff / Em oi (em oi) 
• I would like to have this / Tôi muốn cái này (toy moon kai nai)
• The bill please /  Tính tiền (tin tein)
• For take-away / Mua mang đi (mua mang di)
• Please deliver / Để giao hàng (de yao hang) 
• I am allergic to _____ /  Tôi bị dị ứng với ____ _ (toy bi di oong voy)
• I am vegetarian / Tôi là chay (toy la chay)
• Rice / Cơm (gomb)
• Rice noodles /  Bún (boon)
• Chicken / Gà (gare)
• Beef / Bò (boh)
• Pork /  Heo (hell)
• Hot / Nóng (nong)
• Cold / Lạnh (lan)
• No ice / Không đá (khom dar)
• No sugar / Không đường (khom dung).

These phrases are especially helpful when travelling and living in Vienam. If you’re planning to spend some time here, why not listen to a few podcasts about Vietnam to prepare?

8. Useful Vietnamese Words and Phrases for Health Emergencies 

These are not normal times and being understood is paramount. Here are some Vietnamese phrases you might need to explain to your employer, your building manager, the police, medical staff, etc during these tough times. We hope this helps you stay safe! 

Getting your COVID-19 test or vaccine at the hospital

• I need to go to the hospital / Tôi cần đến bệnh viện (toy ken dun ben van)
• I am going to get my vaccination / Tôi đang đi tiêm chủng vắc xin (toy dang di team chu-ng vak sin)
• I am going to get a COVID-19 test / Tôi đang đi xét nghiệm COVID-19 (toy dang di set ne-erm COVID-19)
• When will I get the results? / Khi nào sẽ có kết quả xét nghiệm của tôi? (key now saah gor cat gua set ne-erm gu toy?)
• I have a negative test result /  Tôi có kết quả xét nghiệm âm tính (toy gor cat gua set ngierm arm tin)
• I am allergic to _____ /  Tôi bị dị ứng với _____ (toy bi zit urn-g voy…)
• I am coming back from the hospital / Tôi sắp trở lại từ bệnh viện (toy sap choy lai too ben van)

More survival phrases

• I am going food shopping / Tôi đang đi mua thức ăn (thực phẩm)
• I am going to the pharmacy / Tôi đang đi đến hiệu thuốc (toy dang di dun heal too-oak)
• I need to eat / Tôi cần ăn (toy kern ang)
• I need water / Tôi cần nước uống (toy kern nook oong)
• I need medication / Tôi cần thuốc (toy kern too-oak)
• I am going home / Tôi đang về nhà (toy dang vey n-air)
• My address is / Địa chỉ của tôi là (dia chi kua toy la)

Leaving the country en route to the airport

• I need to go to the airport / Tôi cần đến sân bay (toy kern den sern bye)
• I need to catch a flight to my country /  Tôi cần lên chuyến bay để trở về quê nhà (toy kern lend chin bye de cherv vey ke-way n-air)
• I need to go to my embassy / Tôi cần đi đến Đại sứ quán (toy kern di den dye sur k-wan)
• I need to call my embassy /  Tôi cần gọi Đại sứ quán của nước tôi (toy kern goy dye sur k-wan gua nook toy)
• I am from / Tôi đến từ (toy den too…)

If you’re interested in Vietnamese culture and partial to a little party, then why not learn how to celebrate and say happy new year in Vietnamese.

We hope these Vietnamese survival phrases help you overcome any language barriers and your trip is as smooth as a bowl of Pho. On that note, have you seen our food pages ? 

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Northern Vietnam

Central vietnam, southern vietnam.

Vietnamese language

Vietnamese is a branch of the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family and is the national and official language of Vietnam . It is the first language of nearly 90% of Vietnam's population, and about three million overseas Vietnamese. Vietnamese is also used as a second language by many ethnic minorities in Vietnam. As the official national language, Vietnamese is spoken throughout Vietnam by the Vietnamese people, as well as by ethnic minorities. It is also spoken in overseas Vietnamese communities Currently, the written Vietnamese language is based on the Latin alphabet. It was codified in the 17th century by a French Jesuit missionary named Alexandre de Rhodes, based on works of earlier Portuguese missionaries. For most of its history, the entity now known as Vietnam used classical written Chinese. In the 13th century, however, the country invented its writing system, called Chu Nom, making use of Chinese characters with phonetic elements to better suit the tones associated with the Vietnamese language. Chu Nom was proven to be much more efficient than classical Chinese characters and was extensively used in the 17th and 18th centuries for poetry and literature.

Vietnamese has six tones with one flat tone (no mark) and other 5 diacritic marks including: ngang    'level' mid-level (no mark) ma  'ghost' huyền    'hanging' low falling (often breathy) ` (grave accent) mà sắc    'sharp' high rising ´ (acute accent) má  'cheek, mother hỏi    'asking' mid-dipping-rising  ̉ (hook) mả  'tomb, grave' ngã    'tumbling' high breaking-rising ˜ (tilde) mã  'horse (Sino-Vietnamese), nặng    'heavy' low falling constricted (short length)  ̣ (dot below) mạ  'rice seedling' The tone is indicated by written above or below the vowel. Vietnamese has traditionally been divided into three dialect regions: North, Central, and South. These dialect regions differ mostly in their sound systems, and sometimes also in vocabulary and grammar. The North-central and Central regional varieties, which have a significant amount of vocabulary differences, are generally less mutually intelligible to Northern and Southern speakers. There is less internal variation within the Southern region than the other regions due to its relatively late settlement by Vietnamese speakers (around the end of the 15th century). The North-central region is particularly conservative. Along with the coastal areas, regional variation has been neutralized to a certain extent, while more mountainous regions preserve more variation. As for sociolinguistic attitudes, the North-central varieties are often felt to be "peculiar" or "difficult to understand" by speakers of other dialects. Vietnamese, like many languages in Southeast Asia, is an analytic language. Vietnamese does not use morphological marking of case, gender, number or. Also like other languages in the region, Vietnamese syntax conforms to subject-verb-object word order, is head-initial, and has a noun classifier system. Additionally, it is pro-drop and allows verb serialization.  

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20+ Easy Conversational Vietnamese Phrases For Travelers

What do you do when you go to a country where the people don’t speak English? Some people feel anxious when going on such trips, and we honestly can’t blame them. The idea can be terrifying, but not if you know conversational Vietnamese phrases when visiting Vietnam. In this post, you’ll learn some useful conversational Vietnamese phrases you can use when visiting the country!

Going to Vietnam without any knowledge of the native language can be quite a daunting task. Although some signs and menus in touristy areas may be in English, many locals outside of major cities may not be able to speak or understand English. This can make navigating transportation, ordering food, or even communicating basic needs difficult. While you do not have to understand all the grammatical rules and terms, memorizing at least the essential words and phrases can keep you from feeling isolated. To start, we rounded up below the 20+ best ones to remember.

Conversational Vietnamese Phrases

Learning conversational Vietnamese phrases can be a great way to connect with locals and immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture. Whether planning a trip to Vietnam or simply wanting to expand your language skills, a basic understanding of common Vietnamese phrases can be invaluable. Not only will it help you navigate daily interactions, but it will also show respect for the people and customs of Vietnam. From greetings to ordering food, mastering these phrases can enhance your travel experience and foster meaningful connections with locals.

Basic Greetings & Phrases In Vietnamese

Basic greetings and phrases are essential to any language-learning journey, and Vietnamese is no exception. In this section, we will explore a selection of basic greetings and phrases in Vietnamese that will help you to communicate confidently and show respect to the people and customs of Vietnam.

Vietnamese Phrases For Directions

Unsurprisingly, most travelers get lost on their way to their destination. Sometimes maps are just a little too complicated, or streets can be a confusing maze to people. But as always, it’s okay to ask instead of going in circles, don’t you think?

Vietnamese Phrases For Restaurants/Stores

Did you know that Vietnam offers mouthwatering dishes that are so hard to say no to? Well, now you know. So, if it’s a part of your plan to grab something to eat in this country, you might want to check the list of conversational Vietnamese phrases below to help you order quickly.

Vietnamese Phrases For Emergencies

The worst scenario most travelers fear is experiencing emergencies in a foreign place. It can be stressful to deal with these things, especially if you don’t know anyone to ask for help. But instead of thinking of who, you may want to ask people for help to prevent stalling time. Here are some conversational Vietnamese phrases that can help you if you ever need assistance during your stay in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Numbers

Learning about these conversational phrases would be pretty incomplete if you don’t know their translation for numbers. So, here’s a brief lesson related to these basic Vietnamese numbers for you to quickly understand how they count from zero to ten.

Did You Get Everything? Join Ling Now To Learn More!

Everyone has their ways of making a conversation with native speakers. Some may continue to speak English, while others try to practice basic conversational Vietnamese phrases commonly spoken in Vietnam. Whichever method it’s that you prefer, your effort is well appreciated!

If this guide helped you during your travel to Vietnam, why don’t you check out Ling’s Blog or get its app on your mobile phone? In the Ling app , we can help you understand 60+ languages from different countries worldwide as you take quizzes, puzzles, and more challenging games. What are you waiting for? Download it now for FREE on Play Store or App Store !

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Travel the u.s., discovering the literal meaning of states and cities.

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Places were often named after descriptions of the local geography or stemmed from the local ... [+] language.

We often associate places with the historical events we know happened there and sometimes it might be the reason we travel, to commemorate and to visit these sites and museums. Places in the U.S. were also named after cities, towns and people in the old world or sometimes they simply described the geography of a place, often in local languages.

Some are easier than others—Germantown speaks for itself, but this map might help travelers identify other interesting aspects of the places they visit. Syracuse, for example, is known to be named after an Italian port on the Ionion Sea but its name stems from the Phoenician word 'serah', which can be translated as 'to feel ill' because it was located near a swamp.

Many cities are named after people. Think Colombia in South Carolina, named after Christopher Columbus or North Charleston being named after King Charles II. Erie in Pennsylvania is named after the Eriez Indians and there are lots of places still named after generals and colonels.

Some places were named after places in the Old World. Boston is named after a town in England, in the county of Lincolnshire, which itself was named after the patron saint of boundaries, Botolph, from the 7th century—who in turn became recognised as the patron saint of trade and travel.

Many places are named after the positive qualities of the land, such as Anchorage (a place good for anchoring) and Portland (the land surrounding a harbor). It is thought that Honolulu gets its name from the Hawaiian language, where 'lulu' means calm and 'hono' means port, although its original name was 'Ke ʻAwa O Kou' meaning 'the harbor of the Kou'.

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Boise in Idaho gets its name from the French word 'bois' meaning 'wood', and one of the possible reasons that Buffalo is called Buffalo is because it stemmed from the U.S. pronunciation of the French name 'beau fleuve' meaning 'beautiful river'.

Many more place names though, are named from local languages, often from the geographical features of the place and the rich indigenous heritage. Kansas and Kansas City were named after the Kansa tribe (where the river gets its name) which means 'People of the Southwind'.

It seems that Chicago was named for its scent, its name coming from the quantity of wild garlic found in the area near the lakes and streams, well before the city was established in 1833—possibly named from the Algonquian word 'sheka:ko:heki', meaning 'place of the wild onion'.

Likewise, Minneapolis' name comes from the Sioux words 'minne' for 'water' and 'minnehaha' meaning 'waterfall' plus the Greek word 'polis' that means 'city'. Or think about the city of Topeka in Kansas that many believe translates from the Kansa tribe's use of the Siouan language meaning 'a good place to dig potatoes'.

Legend has it that the city of Baton Rouge in Louisiana was named for the many 'red sticks' that French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville found in the area in 1699 that had fish and bear heads attached to them, possibly marking the frontier between the tribes of the Bayou Goula and the Houma. The city of Tampa is also named after sticks—the native Calusa tribe called it 'tansa' meaning 'sticks of fire' in their native Calusa language, because of the lightning that was frequent in the area.

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It’s not always smooth sailing on the high seas.

According to Lucy Southerton , who has worked on a cruise ship for nearly a decade, there are some annoying things passengers do that irk crew members.

In a resurfaced video posted to YouTube, the 28-year-old from Birmingham, England, revealed a list of things that irritate employees on the ship.

The most popular complaint, she informed her more than 65,000 subscribers, was when people comment on workers’ English.

There is often a melting pot of people aboard cruise ships who come from around the globe, meaning those workers often speak another language in addition to English.

“It is scary going to work on a cruise ship where you have to speak English, which isn’t your first language,” she said in the clip.

“So it’s really, really crap when you have a passenger say something bad about your English,” she added.

In the same vein, Southerton said that the crew hates being culturally stereotyped, recalling an incident where a sailor asked her Colombian friend — who has “never, ever, ever ever touched drugs” — if she had ever “done cocaine” just because of where she was from.

“It’s just a bit insensitive,” she said, adding that it goes “both ways,” since Americans “get really upset” when they’re stereotyped as “dumb.”

Southerton also revealed that the crew also hates when travelers leave their cabins or the ship a mess, try to go into the restaurants, bars or shops just before closing and ignore the crew’s greetings, which she called “a little bit disrespectful.” Bragging about wealth, she added, is also a no-no.

Next, she said that it’s irritating when “passengers flirt with you and think they have a chance with you just because you are a crew member.” She explained that, while it’s part of the crew’s job to “be friendly,” it often gets misconstrued by travelers because “you’re a sexy crew member,” urging future passengers to consider that the crew might not want the attention.

Being treated like they are “not people” is another pet peeve of hers.

“I think with manners, the reason it annoys me so much and annoys crew members so much is because it doesn’t take anything to just say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ or ‘hey, how you doing?'” she said.

In general, good manners go a long way, and not being polite to the crew is “the biggest mistake that people can make,” she told The Daily Star .

“You don’t know what you’re going to need and which crew member is going to be able to solve your issues and it has happened before where a passenger has been incredibly rude to a crew member that they have later needed during their cruise,” she said.

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