Vietnam; where old traditions meet stunning scenery, offering a world of adventure. As you begin your adventure through this diverse and intriguing country, why not immerse yourself even further by learning a few key Vietnamese phrases? From saying simple greetings like “Xin chào” to the locals to confidently ordering street food with “Cho tôi một phần,” these small phrases will lead to new experiences and unforgettable memories.
So, what are you waiting for? Here’s your 101 on useful and common Vietnamese phrases for travel!
1. Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Travel – Daily Conversation
To start us off, here are some basic words that you can learn and practice when talking with the locals. Your pronunciation might not be perfect, but the locals love it when you try speaking their language, so don’t be afraid to practice – and remember to do it with a smile!
So without further ado, here are a few of the most popular and useful phrases for you to use when greeting someone:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Xin chào | Sin chow | Hello |
| Tạm biệt | Tam by – et | Goodbye |
| Cảm ơn | Gam ern | Thank you |
| Làm ơn | Lam ern | Please |
| Xin lỗi | Sin loy | Excuse me/Sorry |
| Dạ | Yah | Yes (when you talk with someone older to show respect) |
| Có | Gorr | Yes |
| Không | comb | No |
| Bạn khoẻ không? | ban kwen kong | How are you? |
| Rất vui được gặp bạn | Rut vui dook gap ban | Nice to meet you |
| Không có gì | kong cor zee | No problem |
| Kế bên… | khe bend | Next to… |
| Tôi tên là… | toi ten la… | My name is… |
2. Common Vietnamese Phrases for Getting Around
Fact: Vietnamese people are willing to go with you if you ask for directions to a complicated destination because they’re afraid you’ll get lost! | Source: Quang Dinh – cafebiz.vn
Navigating through the busy streets can be a hassle, especially in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Sometimes the map cannot be reliable when you are out and about without any good internet connection or data, so it is much wiser to ask for directions from the locals when you are lost. Here are some useful terms that can be helpful to get you around town:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Tôi muốn đi đến… | Toi mu-on dee den… | I want to go to… |
| Ở đâu? | Er dow | Where? |
| Địa chỉ này ở đâu? | dear chi nath er dow | Where is this address? |
| Đi thẳng | Dee thang | Go straight |
| Rẽ trái/phải | Ray trai/fai | Turn left/right |
| Gần không? | Gang kong | Is it near? |
| Gần đây | gang day | Nearby here |
| Xa không? | Sa kong | Is it far? |
| Xa lắm | Sa lamb | Very far |
| Bên đó | bend doo | Over there |
| Bên này | bend nath | Over here |
| Kế bên… | khe bend | Next to… |
| Đối diện… | doyen | Opposite side of… |
| Quận mấy? | Wand may | Which district? |
3. Vietnamese Phrases Related to Accommodation
In less touristy areas of Vietnam, hotel receptionists may have limited English proficiency, making a Vietnamese phrase guide essential for smooth communication. | Source: Le Pavillon Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa.
Nowadays, accommodation is usually booked online in advance before traveling. However, you might have some questions regarding the facilities or, in some cases, need to book a room if you haven’t done so already. In those cases, here are some Vietnamese phrases for tourists related to accommodation that will come in handy when speaking with the hotel staff:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Tôi muốn thuê phòng | Toi mu-on tway fom | I want to rent a room |
| Phòng đơn/đôi | Fom don/doy | Single/double room |
| Bao nhiêu một đêm? | Bow new mot them | How much per night? |
| Có Wi – Fi không? | Gorr Wi – Fi kong | Is there Wi – Fi? |
| Có bao gồm ăn sáng không? | Gorr bao gum ang sang kong | Does the room include breakfast? |
| Có hồ bơi không? | Gorr hold boy kong | Is there swimming pool? |
| Tôi có đặt phòng rồi | Toi gorr that fom roy | I have a reservation already |
| Chìa khoá phòng tôi đâu? | Cheer khoa fom toi dow | Where is my room key? |
| Tôi muốn ở…đêm | Toi mu-on er…them | I want to stay…night |
| Tôi sẽ đến lúc… | Toi seer den luke | I will arrive at… |
| Tôi sẽ đi lúc… | Toi seer dee luke | I will leave at… |
4. Vietnamese Phrases for Eating Out
Vietnam’s thriving food culture is something that every tourist ought to experience!Acquainting yourself with some typical Vietnamese terms for dining out can be especially useful, whether you’re browsing the busy street food booths, dining in a local restaurant, or ordering your favorite specialty. You can express your preferences and guarantee a wonderful eating experience by using the following phrases:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Cho tôi thực đơn | Cho toi took dern | Menu, please |
| Tôi muốn gọi món… | Toi mu-on goy mond… | I’d like to order… |
| Tôi bị dị ứng… | Toi nor roy | I’m full |
| Tôi no rồi | Dee thang | Go straight |
| Ngon quá! | Gone qwa | Delicious! |
| Tính tiền | Tin teen | Check, please |
| Bao nhiêu? | Bow new | How much? |
| Nước suối | Knot suey | Water |
| Nước cam | Knot cam | Orange juice |
| Rượu | Rood | Wine |
| Thịt bò | Did boh | Beef |
| Thịt heo | Did hell | Pork |
| Thịt gà | Did gah | Chicken |
| Tôi ăn chay | Toi ang jay | I’m vegan |
| Ít đường | Eat du-ong | Less sugar |
| Không thịt | Kong did | No meat |
| Không rau mùi | Kong round moy | No cilantro |
| Không cay | Kong cay | No spicy |
| Một, Hai, Ba, Dzô! | Muht hi bah zoh | 1, 2, 3, Cheers! |
5. Essential Vietnamese Phrases for Travelers When Shopping and Bargaining
Bargaining is a unique culture of Vietnam and an interesting experience for travelers. By familiarizing yourself with some basic Vietnamese words for negotiating, you can get the most out of your shopping experience and interact with the locals. The following is a collection of typical Vietnamese words that you might use when haggling and shopping:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Bao nhiêu? | Bow new | How much? |
| Xài tốt không? | Sigh tod kong | Does it good to use? |
| Mắc quá | Make qwa | Too expensive |
| Giảm giá đi | zam zar dee | Discount for me |
| Bớt được không? | Bod dook kong | Can you make it cheaper? |
| Tôi muốn kiểm tra | Toi mu-on kim cha | I want to exam |
| Tôi muốn mua thêm… | Toi mu-on moor them | I want to buy more… |
| Tôi sẽ trả… | Toi ser cha… | I will pay… |
| Cái này | Gai knee | This one |
| Cái kia | Gai keer | That one |
| Tôi sẽ lấy nó | toy seer lay nor | I’ll take it |
Read more: The Culture Of Bargaining In Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide 2024
6. Vietnamese Phrases for Payment and Cash Withdrawal
Speaking a few key Vietnamese words can help to ensure that all of your payments and cash withdrawal transactions go smoothly when you’re traveling around Vietnam. These words will come in handy whether you’re paying the bill at a restaurant, making a purchase at a store, or getting cash out of an ATM. Let’s look at some essential Vietnamese terms for making payments and withdrawing cash:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Thẻ tín dụng | Teh tin zoong | Credit card |
| Tiền mặt | Tee – en mat | Cash |
| Tôi không có đủ tiền | Toi kong gorr do teen | I don’t have enough money |
| Giúp tôi với máy rút tiền được không? | Zob toi voi may root teen dook kong | Can you help me with the ATM please? |
| Tôi muốn rút tiền | Toi mu-on root teen | I want to withdraw money |
| Tôi cần biên lai | Toi kan been lai | I need receipt |
| Tôi muốn đổi tiền | Toi mu-on doi teen | I want to exchange money |
Read more: Currency in Vietnam: Mastering Money Exchange in Vietnam
7. Vietnamese Phrases for Complimenting
Giving compliments to someone is a great approach to establish connection and express gratitude, and in Vietnam, it’s no different. It might make a good impression to provide polite words and praises in their own tongue language, as Vietnamese people value such things. The following are some Vietnamese expressions of gratitude that you can use:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Đẹp quá! | Depth qwa | So beautiful! (Can use for object) |
| Đẹp trai | Depth chai | Handsome (Note: for male) |
| Đẹp gái | Depth guide | Pretty (Note: for female) |
| Đáng yêu | Dang ew | Cute (Can be for person or object) |
| Bạn rất hài hước | Ban rut hi hut | You are very funny |
| Bạn có nụ cười đẹp | Ban gorr nude coin depth | You have a pretty smile |
| Tôi thích… | Toi thick… | I like… |
| Bạn nói tiếng Việt giỏi quá | Ban noy teeng vet zoy qwa | Your Vietnamese is really good |
| Tôi cần biên lai | Toi kan been lai | I need receipt |
| Bạn rất thông minh | Ban rut thong mink | You are very smart |
8. Vietnamese Phrases Related to Dates and Time
In order to plan and communicate effectively in Vietnam, it is necessary to know and understand the dates and times in Vietnamese when traveling here. The following are some expressions in Vietnamese that refer to times and dates:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Sáng | sang | Morning |
| Trưa | Er dow | Noon |
| Chiều | dear chi nath er dow | Afternoon |
| Tối | Dee thang | Evening |
| Hôm nay | Ray trai/fai | Today |
| Hôm qua | Gang kong | Yesterday |
| Ngày mai | gang day | Tomorrow |
| Khi nào? | Sa kong | When |
| Bây giờ | Sa lamb | Now |
| Trễ | bend doo | Late |
| Sớm | bend nath | Early |
| Mấy giờ? | khe bend | What time? |
| Giờ | doyen | Hour |
| Phút | Wand may | Minute |
9. Vietnamese Phrases for Making Complaints
After all the time and effort put into planning your trip, you hope and pray that it all goes to plan. However, sometimes things do unfortunately go wrong and you need to voice a complaint or dissatisfaction. So here are some Vietnamese expressions that you may find helpful when you want to make complaints:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Cái này bị hỏng | Gai knee bee hong | This is broken |
| Tôi muốn trả lại món này | Toi mu-on cha lai mond nath | I want to return this item |
| Tôi không thích cái này | Toi kong thick gai knee | I don’t like this |
| Tôi không hài lòng với… | Toi kong hi long voi | I’m not satisfied with… |
| Tôi muốn báo cáo | Toi mu-on bao cow | I want to report |
| Tôi gặp vấn đề với… | Toi gap van dee voi | I have trouble with… (Use for products/services) |
| Tôi muốn yêu cầu hoàn tiền | Toi mu-on ew cow wang teen | I want to request a refund |
| Tôi muốn gặp quản lý | Toi mu-on gap kwan lee | I want to speak to the manager |
10. Essential Vietnamese Phrases for Emergencies
If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, it’s important to stay calm and seek immediate assistance from local authorities or emergency services. The first thing you need to know are Vietnam’s emergency phone numbers: 115 for ambulance, 114 for fire and 113 for police. If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t call the emergency hotline, being familiar with these Vietnamese emergency terms can help you to communicate with the locals and enable them to assist you:
| Vietnamese Phrases | Approximate English Pronunciation | English Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Tôi cần giúp đỡ | Toi kan zob doh | I need help |
| Cứu tôi với | Cub toi voi | Help me! |
| Bác sĩ | Bad see | Doctor |
| Lính cứu hoả | Jay roy | Firefighter |
| Tôi bị lạc | Toi bi lad | I’m lost |
| Tôi bị mất hành lý | Toi bi mug hang lee | I’ve lost my luggage |
| Cháy rồi! | Toi mu-on bao cow | Fire! |
| Gọi cấp cứu | Goy cap cub | Call an ambulance |
| Tôi bị cướp | Toi bi coup | I was robbed |
| Tôi bị tai nạn | Toi bi tide nan | I’ve had an accident |
11. Helpful Translation Apps for Foreign Tourists
Having a translation tool on your smartphone may be quite helpful for communicating and navigating new circumstances when visiting a foreign nation, such as Vietnam. Here are some popular apps that will assist foreign tourists in translating Vietnamese phrases during their travels, along with their pros and cons, so that you can decide which app is the most suitable for your preferences:
Google Translate
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports more than 100 languages, including Vietnamese | Might have inaccurate or nonsense translations, especially for complex or nuanced phrases |
| Offers text translation, voice input, and output, conversation style | Focuses on word-for-word translation, which may sound awkward or inappropriate in certain contexts |
| Provides real-time translation (read signs, menus, short phrases with camera taking) | Has limited contextual understanding, can provide incorrect translations without considering the overall meaning |
| Offers offline translation, including Vietnamese | Not suitable for complex texts |
| Provides Vietnamese pronunciation when translating | Vietnamese is not a common language so pronunciation accuracy can vary |
Microsoft Translator
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Support more than 70 languages, including Vietnamese | Harder to use than Google Translate app |
| Conversation mode – allows real-time multilingual communication | Limitations on the length of text that can be translated at once |
| Offers simple controls for text input, voice input and output | Has limited contextual understanding, can provide incorrect translations without considering overall meaning |
| Offers offline translation, including Vietnamese | Voice recognition accuracy can vary |
| Provides Vietnamese pronunciation assistance when translating | Offline translation is available, but the full range of features and languages requires internet connection |
iTranslate
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports more than 100 languages, including Vietnamese | Offers a free version – some advanced features and language options may be available only in the paid Pro version |
| Provides real-time translation (can read signs, menus, and short phrases with camera) | Might have inaccurate or nonsense translations, especially for complex or nuanced phrases |
| Offers “Phrasebook” feature to save common phrases for quick access | Has limited contextual understanding, can provide incorrect translations without considering overall meaning |
| Offers offline translation, including Vietnamese | Offline translation is available, but the full range of features and languages requires internet connection |
| Voice input and output are more advanced compared to the other apps above | Vietnamese is not a common language, so pronunciation accuracy can vary |
SayHi Translate
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports more than 60 languages, including Vietnamese | There are fewer language options than the other apps |
| Real-time voice translation feature is the most standout feature | Doesn’t support real-time translation for reading signs, menus, or documents like the other apps |
| Offers text translation, voice input and output, and conversation style | Has limited contextual understanding, can provide incorrect translations without considering overall meaning |
| Offers offline translation, including Vietnamese | Offers a free version, some advanced features or additional languages may require in-app purchases |
| Includes a pronunciation aid feature | Offline translation is available, but the full range of features and languages requires internet connection |
Read more: Top Vietnam Travel Apps Every Explorer NeedsThese Vietnamese phrases for travel are more than just words; they are your gateway to richer interactions and unforgettable moments in Vietnam. Start practicing today and empower your adventure with local language skills.
