Are you planning a trip to Vietnam or interested in learning a new language? If so, mastering the most common Vietnamese phrases and essential words used in everyday life is one of the best places to start. In this blog, we’ll take you through some essential phrases and words you’ll need to know to communicate effectively with Vietnamese speakers.
Not only will you learn about the language itself, but you’ll also gain insight into Vietnamese culture and pronunciation. By the end of this blog, you’ll have the tools needed to have a proper conversation with native speakers, making your experience in Vietnam much more enjoyable. Now, please enjoy this list of basic words in Vietnamese!
Common Vietnamese Phrases | The Vietnamese Language In A Nutshell
Basic Vietnamese Words To Start You Off

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam and is spoken by over 80 million people worldwide. The language itself is tonal, meaning that the tone in which a word or phrase is pronounced can change its meaning entirely. By learning some of the most basic words and phrases in Vietnamese, you’ll become more comfortable with the tonal aspect of the language and be better equipped to recognize and distinguish the different tones.
Aside from helping you recognize context, learning basic Vietnamese words and phrases can also be extremely helpful in everyday situations. Whether ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions, knowing a few key phrases can make all the difference in communicating effectively with the locals.
Greeting someone good morning in Vietnamese is very basic and common. But what else should you know? Here’s a list of some of the most common Vietnamese words you may encounter. We’re going to list down the English translation first, and then show you the Vietnamese pronunciation after:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| one | một | |
| two | hai | |
| three | ba | |
| four | bốn | |
| five | năm | |
| six | sáu | |
| seven | bảy | |
| eight | tám | |
| nine | chín | |
| ten | mười | |
| what | cái gì | |
| where | ở đâu | |
| who | ai | |
| (to) have | có | |
| (I) use | (tôi) dùng | |
| (to) go | đi | |
| (to) come | đến | |
| (to) laugh | cười to | |
| (to) make | làm | |
| (I) like | (tôi) thích | |
| (to) want | muốn | |
| (to) take | cầm | |
| (to) see | nhìn thấy | |
| easy | dễ | |
| hard | cứng | |
| good | tốt | |
| bad | tồi tệ | |
| near | gần | |
| far | xa | |
| small | nhỏ | |
| big | to | |
| beautiful | đẹp | |
| ugly | xấu | |
| yes | vâng | |
| no | không | |
| week | tuần | |
| year | năm | |
| today | hôm nay | |
| tomorrow | ngày mai | |
| yesterday | hôm qua | |
| hour | giờ | |
| minute | phút | |
| time | thời gian | |
| Monday | thứ hai | |
| Tuesday | thứ ba | |
| Wednesday | thứ tư | |
| Thursday | thứ năm | |
| Friday | thứ sáu | |
| Saturday | thứ bẩy | |
| Sunday | chủ nhật |
Greetings And Salutations In Vietnamese

Vietnamese culture places great emphasis on respect and hospitality, and one of the best ways to show respect to locals is by greeting them in Vietnamese. However, greeting someone in Vietnamese is more than just saying hello – it’s a way to build a connection and show that you’re interested in getting to know them and their culture. You can speak English, for example, but it won’t have the same effect!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Hello! | Xin chào! | |
| Good morning! | Chào chị! | |
| Good afternoon! | Chào buổi chiều! | |
| Good evening! | Chào buổi tối! | |
| Good night! | Chúc ngủ ngon! | |
| How are you? | Khỏe không? | |
| What is your name? | Tên bạn là gì? | |
| My name is_____ | Tên tôi là _____. | |
| Nice to meet you. | Rất vui được gặp bạn. | |
| Where are you from? | Bạn từ đâu đến? | |
| What time is it? | Mấy giờ rồi? | |
| Can you help me? | Bạn có thể giúp tôi chứ? | |
| How much does it cost? | Giá bao nhiêu? | |
| Please. | Làm ơn | |
| Thank you. | Cảm ơn. | |
| Thank you very much. | Cảm ơn rất nhiều. | |
| You’re welcome. | Không có gì. | |
| I’m sorry. | Tôi xin lỗi. | |
| Excuse me. | Xin lỗi cho tôi hỏi. | |
| No problem. | Không vấn đề gì. | |
| Speak slowly. | Nói chậm thôi. | |
| Great. | Tốt quá | |
| Goodbye. | Tạm biệt |
While most local people speak English, there’s something that feels more genuine when a visitor speaks the local language with a native speaker. To that end, here are some useful Vietnamese phrases for greetings and salutations! These phrases will help you show appreciation towards the Vietnamese people, as well as help you understand the context of conversations.
Basic Vietnamese Phrases And Words For The Restaurant

Vietnamese cuisine is a delightful blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors that tantalize the taste buds. From savory pho noodles to crispy banh mi sandwiches, the country of Vietnam is home to a wide variety of dishes that are sure to satisfy any foodie’s cravings.
Suppose you’re planning a trip to Vietnam or just looking to explore the cuisine in your local Vietnamese restaurant. In that case, it’s helpful to know these Vietnamese words and phrases related to food and drink. Here are a few essential ones to get you started:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Water | Nước | |
| Tea | Trà | |
| Coffee | Cà phê | |
| Juice | Nước ép | |
| Wine | Rượu | |
| Beer | Bia | |
| Alcohol | Rượu | |
| Chicken | Món gà ạ | |
| Fish | Cá | |
| Soup | Xúp | |
| Salad | Món rau trộn | |
| Sandwich | Bánh mỳ kẹp | |
| Bread | Bánh mì | |
| Dessert | Món tráng miệng | |
| Cake | Bánh ngọt | |
| Breakfast | Bữa sáng | |
| Lunch | Bữa trưa | |
| Dinner | Bữa tối | |
| Salt | Muối | |
| Sugar | Đường | |
| Pepper | Hạt tiêu | |
| No sugar | Không đường | |
| What’s the best dish? | Món gì ngon nhất? | |
| I would like a bowl of pho | Tôi muốn một tô phở. | |
| Do you have banh mi? | Bạn có bánh mì không? | |
| Can I have some more water? | Cho tôi thêm nước. | |
| What is this? | Cái này là gì? | |
| I’m vegetarian. | Tôi ăn chay. | |
| Thank you. | Cảm ơn. | |
| Excuse me. | Xin lỗi. | |
| Iced tea | Trà đá | |
| Sugarcane juice | Nước mía | |
| I have a reservation. My name is… | Tôi có đặt trước. Tên tôi là… | |
| What would you recommend? | Bạn có thể giới thiệu cho tôi món gì? | |
| I’d like something without meat. | Tôi muốn một cái gì đó với thịt không. |
By learning these basic Vietnamese phrases about food and drink, you’ll be able to easily navigate menus and order your favorite dishes like a pro. Plus, locals such as restaurant owners and street vendors will appreciate your efforts to speak their language and connect with their culture, making your dining experience all the more enjoyable!
Vietnamese Vocabulary On Health And Body Parts

In the Vietnamese language, it’s important to learn how to describe different body parts and express symptoms, especially when seeking medical attention.
Not only will these phrases come in handy in medical situations, but they can also be helpful in everyday life. Whether you’re shopping for clothes or teaching Vietnamese phrases to children, having a basic grasp of body part vocabulary is essential. Practice them!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| head | đầu | |
| hair | tóc | |
| neck | cổ | |
| chest | ngực | |
| arm | cánh tay | |
| finger | ngón tay | |
| foot | bàn chân | |
| face | khuôn mặt | |
| eye | mắt | |
| hand | bàn tay | |
| nose | mũi | |
| mouth | miệng | |
| leg | chân | |
| knee | đầu gối | |
| disease | bệnh | |
| allergy | dị ứng | |
| headache | đau đầu | |
| fever | sốt | |
| pain | đau | |
| medicine | y khoa | |
| pharmacy | dược | |
| I feel sick. | Tôi cảm thấy say. | |
| Can you help me? | Bạn có thể giúp tôi chứ? | |
| Where is the hospital? | Bệnh viện ở đâu? | |
| Please call a doctor. | Xin gọi bác sỹ. | |
| I’m in pain! | Tôi bị đau đớn! | |
| I need to go to the doctor! | Tôi cần phải đi khám bệnh! | |
| I need to go to the emergency room! | Tôi cần phải đi cấp cứu! | |
| I need to get a check-up! | Tôi cần được nạo vét! | |
| I need to get treated! | Tôi cần được chữa bệnh! |
By learning these basic Vietnamese phrases for body parts and emergencies, you’ll be able to describe everything from “mắt” (eyes) to “bụng” (stomach) and “đau đầu” (headache) to “sốt cao” (high fever), making it handy for communication with Vietnamese medical professionals.
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