Whether you’re learning the Vietnamese language for the first time, going on a trip to Hanoi, or meeting Vietnamese people, this guide to basic Vietnamese phrases is here for you! We’ll list some useful Vietnamese phrases that can help you connect better with the locals and immerse you better in Vietnamese culture.
Even if the only Vietnamese word you know is “xin chào“, starting a conversation like a local will let anyone in Vietnam feel a bit more at ease when talking to you. Here are some of the most important phrases to keep in mind for your travels!
Learn Basic Vietnamese Phrases For Your Trip
Why Should I Learn Basic Vietnamese Phrases?
Someone learning the Vietnamese language for the first time will likely come across these basic Vietnamese phrases at some point in their education. If that’s your case, you’re welcome to use this list of essential phrases for your studies!
This guide was made for people who want to learn some of the most common Vietnamese phrases they can use to better communicate with people from Vietnam. These people can be tourists, ex-pats, or people learning the local language.
The following words and phrases also contain Vietnamese pronunciation! Even so, if you’re unsure how to pronounce them, you can use the Ling app to hear how they’re said.
Common Vietnamese Phrases – Speak Like A Local
Greetings In Vietnamese
Want to get off on the right foot with the Vietnamese people? These words and phrases will build the bulk of your greetings arsenal. So keep them in mind when meeting someone for the first time!
If you’re nervous about meeting people in a foreign country, don’t fret – Vietnamese people are some of the friendliest in Southeast Asia. Even if someone is not a native speaker, they would be happy to talk to them! In addition, younger people especially speak English fluently, so you won’t be too lost.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Hello | Xin chào | Xin chào |
| Hi | Chào | Chào |
| Hello, madame | Chào Chị | Chào Chị |
| Hello, sir | Chào Chú | Chào Chú |
| Hello, cat | Chào meo | Chào meo |
| It’s nice to meet you | Rất vui được gặp bạn | Rất vui được gặp bạn |
| Good morning | Chào buổi sáng | Chào buổi sáng |
| Good afternoon | Chào buổi chiều | Chào buổi chiều |
| Good evening | Chào buổi tối | Chào buổi tối |
“How Are You” In Vietnamese And How To Answer
In a conversation, a common question is: “How are you?”. When talking to Vietnamese people, this is no exception! Here are some basic Vietnamese phrases that teach you how to say “how are you” in Vietnamese, and how to respond!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| How are you doing? | Bạn khoẻ không? | Bạn khoẻ không? |
| How are you today? | Hôm nay, chị thế nào? | Hôm nay, chị thế nào? |
| I’m fine, and you? | Tôi khỏe, còn anh? | Tôi khỏe, còn anh? |
| I’m fine, too. | Tôi cũng khỏe | Tôi cũng khỏe |
| Very good | Rất khỏe | Rất khỏe |
| It’s whatever | Tàm tạm | Tàm tạm |
| Not doing good | Không khỏe lắm | Không khỏe lắm |
| Very bad | Rất tệ | Rất tệ |
| Very tired | Rất mệt | Rất mệt |
Introducing Yourself In Vietnamese
Now, let’s talk about some basic phrases that you can use to introduce yourself in Vietnamese. Use these when you’re meeting someone for the first time and you want to deepen the relationship!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| What’s your name? | Bạn tên gì? | Bạn tên gì? |
| My name is… | Tôi tên là… | Tôi tên là… |
| Where are you from? | Bạn từ đâu đến? | Bạn từ đâu đến? |
| I am from… | Tôi đến từ… | Tôi đến từ… |
| How old are you? | Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi? | Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi? |
| I am… years old. | Tôi… tuổi. | Tôi… tuổi. |
Basic Vietnamese Words And Phrases For Pleasantries
After getting to know someone, you might want to end the conversation, or you might even have to apologize at any point. To that end, here are some common Vietnamese words used for pleasantries in the conversation!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Sorry | Xin lỗi | Xin lỗi |
| Let me apologize | Tôi muốn xin lỗi. | Tôi muốn xin lỗi. |
| I am truly sorry | Tôi chân thành xin lỗi. | Tôi chân thành xin lỗi. |
| I won’t do it again | Tôi sẽ không làm việc đó một lần nữa. | Tôi sẽ không làm việc đó một lần nữa. |
| Please don’t be mad. | Xin đừng giận tôi. | Xin đừng giận tôi. |
| Goodbye | Tạm biệt | Tạm biệt |
| See you later | Hẹn gặp lại | Hẹn gặp lại |
| I will be right back | Tôi sẽ quay lại ngay | Tôi sẽ quay lại ngay |
| I don’t get it | Không hiểu | Không hiểu |
Basic Phrases For Travel, Dining, And Shopping – Interact Like A Local
Basic Vietnamese Phrases For Directions And Transportation
When you talk to your driver in Vietnamese, chances are you’d get a better deal when you speak the local language! Here are some useful phrases to use when traveling around Vietnam. Remember that while the average local likely speaks English (or at least some of it), connecting with them on a higher level requires some knowledge of the language.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Where can I get a taxi? | Taxi ở đâu? | Taxi ở đâu? |
| Where is the ATM? | Máy ATM ở đâu? | Máy ATM ở đâu? |
| Go straight | Đi thẳng | Đi thẳng |
| Go left | Rẽ trái | Rẽ trái |
| Go Right | Rẽ phảo | Rẽ phảo |
| Stop | Dừng lại | Dừng lại |
| Go to the airport | Đi sân bay | Đi sân bay |
| How far is it? | Bao xa? | Bao xa? |
| Far | Xa | Xa |
| Close | Gần | Gần |
| Downtown | Trung tâm thành phố | Trung tâm thành phố |
| District | Quận | Quận |
| Station | Ga | Ga |
| Bus stop | Trạm xe bus | Trạm xe bus |
| Where? | Ở đâu | Ở đâu |
| Give me 5 minutes | Chờ năm phút | Chờ năm phút |
| How much is the fare? | Bao nhiêu tiền | Bao nhiêu tiền |
Ordering Food In Vietnamese
If you find yourself in a restaurant or a café (or even next to some street vendors), craving authentic Vietnamese food, you’ll love these phrases! These common Vietnamese phrases can let you order food just like a local! Now all you need to work on is your order and your pronunciation!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Can I order here? | Tôi có thể đặt hàng không? | Tôi có thể đặt hàng không? |
| What can you recommend? | Bạn có bất kì gợi ý nào không? | Bạn có bất kì gợi ý nào không? |
| How much does it cost? | Nó có giá bao nhiêu? | Nó có giá bao nhiêu? |
| Can I order… | Tôi muốn đặt hàng… | Tôi muốn đặt hàng… |
| What should I get? | Tôi nên gọi món gì? | Tôi nên gọi món gì? |
| Is this spicy? | Cái này có cay không? | Cái này có cay không? |
| Is this vegetarian? | Đây có phải là món chay không? | Đây có phải là món chay không? |
| That was really good. | Điều đó thực sự tốt đấy | Điều đó thực sự tốt đấy |
Common Phrases For Emergency Use In Vietnam
Of course, whenever you travel, you must be prepared for any eventuality – even emergencies. So we’re here to give you some of the most common phrases to use during a crisis in Vietnam!
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| I need help | Tôi cần giúp đỡ! | Tôi cần giúp đỡ! |
| Please help me | Làm ơn giúp tôi | Làm ơn giúp tôi |
| Someone help me | Có ai giúp được không | Có ai giúp được không |
| I need a hospital | Đưa tôi đến bệnh viện | Đưa tôi đến bệnh viện |
| I need a doctor | Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ | Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ |
Learn More Vietnamese Words With Ling App
If most Vietnamese words you know come from the local Vietnamese restaurant, it’s no problem – you can always learn more Vietnamese with the Ling app!
Ling is your platform to learn Vietnamese words, phrases, and more! With support for Vietnamese and 60+ other languages, Ling gives you a fun, memorable, and exciting way to learn a new language.
Get started on learning a foreign language today by downloading the Ling app for Android or iPhone.
