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.
| English | Vietnam | Pronunciation |
| I need a mechanic. | Tôi cần một thợ cơ khí | |
| Call the police. | Gọi cảnh sát | |
| Where’s the gas station? | Trạm gas ở đâu | |
| I need to see a physician. | Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ |
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.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
| Zero | Số không | |
| One | Một | |
| Two | Hai | |
| Three | Ba | |
| Four | Bốn | |
| Five | Năm | |
| Six | Sáu | |
| Seven | Bảy | |
| Eight | Tám | |
| Nine | Chín | |
| Ten | Mười |
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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!
