Vietnamese Transportation Vocabulary: 80+ Best Words To Learn Now

Vietnamese Transportation Vocabulary-ling app

Getting around Vietnam is no easy task. The infrastructure (although improving) is still behind many other Asian countries like China, Malaysia, and Thailand. For this reason, it’s very important to learn Vietnamese transportation vocabulary to make the process as hassle-free as possible.

Have you recently been learning Vietnamese and run into a dead end? Ling could be just the app for you. Ling’s goal is simple; to provide you with the tools to go from having no Vietnamese to having a conversation fluently with a native Vietnamese speaker. Please find out more about our Vietnamese course here.

Common Transportation Vocabulary In Vietnamese

Here we have it! The very basics to get you started.

EnglishVietnameseSound
AirplaneMáy bay[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Máy bay[/Speechword]
BicycleXe đạp[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe đạp[/Speechword]
BusXe buýt[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe buýt[/Speechword]
CanoeCa nô[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ca nô[/Speechword]
CarXe hơi[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe hơi[/Speechword]
Cruise ShipTàu du lịch[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Tàu du lịch[/Speechword]
HelicopterTrực thăng[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Trực thăng[/Speechword]
PaddleboardVán chèo[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ván chèo[/Speechword]
ShipVận chuyển[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Vận chuyển[/Speechword]
SkateboardVán trượt[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ván trượt[/Speechword]
TaxiXe tắc xi[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe tắc xi[/Speechword]
TrainXe lửa[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe lửa[/Speechword]
WalkingĐi dạo[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đi dạo[/Speechword]
YachtThuyền buồm[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Thuyền buồm[/Speechword]

Places To Go

We know all know too well that you have places to go and people to meet in Vietnam. Let this list guide you.

EnglishVietnameseSound
AirportPhi trường[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Phi trường[/Speechword]
Bus StationTrạm xe buýt[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Trạm xe buýt[/Speechword]
Bus StopĐiểm dừng xe buýt[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Điểm dừng xe buýt[/Speechword]
HighwayXa lộ[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xa lộ[/Speechword]
Metro StationGa tàu điện ngầm[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ga tàu điện ngầm[/Speechword]
RoadĐường[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đường[/Speechword]
StreetĐường phố[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đường phố[/Speechword]
Train StationGa xe lửa[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ga xe lửa[/Speechword]

Questions To Ask To Help You Get Around

And here are some phrases so you can be more specific.

EnglishVietnameseSound
How do I get to the airport?Làm thế nào để tôi đến được sân bay?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Làm thế nào để tôi đến được sân bay?[/Speechword]
What is the fastest way to get around Hanoi?Cách nhanh nhất để đi vòng quanh Hà Nội là gì?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Cách nhanh nhất để đi vòng quanh Hà Nội là gì?[/Speechword]
Where is the train station?Nhà ga xe lửa ở đâu?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Nhà ga xe lửa ở đâu?[/Speechword]
Where can I get a taxi?Tôi có thẻ đón taxi ở đâu?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Tôi có thẻ đón taxi ở đâu?[/Speechword]
Which train station do I get off at?Tôi xuống ở nhà ga nào?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Tôi xuống ở nhà ga nào?[/Speechword]
Vietnamese Transportation Vocabulary - woman with motorbike

Different Types Of Transportation Tickets

These are useful to know when travelling or booking trips.

EnglishVietnameseSound
Bus ticketVé xe buýt[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Vé xe buýt[/Speechword]
One-wayMột chiều[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Một chiều[/Speechword]
Plane ticketVé máy bay[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Vé máy bay[/Speechword]
Round tripkhứ hồi[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]khứ hồi[/Speechword]
Train ticketVé tàu[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Vé tàu[/Speechword]

Car-Related Vocabulary In Vietnamese

The most universal means of transport. Here are the key terms.

EnglishVietnameseSound
BumperBội thu[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Bội thu[/Speechword]
DoorCửa[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Cửa[/Speechword]
EngineĐộng cơ[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Động cơ[/Speechword]
FuelNhiên liệu[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Nhiên liệu[/Speechword]
Gas stationTrạm xăng[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Trạm xăng[/Speechword]
Gas tankBình xăng[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Bình xăng[/Speechword]
Headlightđèn pha[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]đèn pha[/Speechword]
SeatGhế[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ghế[/Speechword]
TireLốp xe[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Lốp xe[/Speechword]
WheelBánh xe[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Bánh xe[/Speechword]
WindscreenKính ô tô[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Kính ô tô[/Speechword]

Phrases Related To Getting Around By Car

Renting or borrowing a car can be a great way to get around, albeit really hectic in Vietnam. Here are some questions and phrases you’ll need.

EnglishVietnameseSound
How much is the car rental?Giá thuê xe là bao nhiêu?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Giá thuê xe là bao nhiêu?[/Speechword]
The car has a flat tireXe bị xì lốp[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe bị xì lốp[/Speechword]
The car won’t startXe sẽ không khởi động[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xe sẽ không khởi động[/Speechword]
Where can I rent a car?Tôi có thể thuê xe ở đâu?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Tôi có thể thuê xe ở đâu?[/Speechword]
Where’s the closest gas station?Trạm xăng gần nhất ở đâu?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Trạm xăng gần nhất ở đâu?[/Speechword]

Airplane-related Vocabulary In Vietnamese

Travel by air is becoming increasingly popular within Vietnam. Here are common words to know when travelling by air.

EnglishVietnameseSound
Aisle seatGhế lối đi[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ghế lối đi[/Speechword]
ArrivalĐến[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đến[/Speechword]
Boarding passThẻ lên máy bay[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Thẻ lên máy bay[/Speechword]
CancelledĐã hủy[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đã hủy[/Speechword]
Check-inĐăng ký vào[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đăng ký vào[/Speechword]
DelayedTrì hoãn[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Trì hoãn[/Speechword]
Flight attendantTiếp viên hàng không[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Tiếp viên hàng không[/Speechword]
Gate numberSố cổng[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Số cổng[/Speechword]
LuggageHành lý[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Hành lý[/Speechword]
One-way ticketVé một chiều[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Vé một chiều[/Speechword]
PilotPhi công[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Phi công[/Speechword]
TransitQuá cảnh[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Quá cảnh[/Speechword]
Window seatGhế ngồi gần cửa sổ[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Ghế ngồi gần cửa sổ[/Speechword]

Getting Around Via Water In Vietnamese- Vietnamese Transportation Vocabulary

Ahoy! Is there anything more fun than hitting the high seas or winding riverways of Vienam?

EnglishVietnameseSound
AnchorMỏ neo[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Mỏ neo[/Speechword]
BoatCon thuyền[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Con thuyền[/Speechword]
DockedCập bến[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Cập bến[/Speechword]
Jet skiMáy bay phản lực trượt tuyết[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Máy bay phản lực trượt tuyết[/Speechword]
Life jacketÁo phao[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Áo phao[/Speechword]
LifeboatXuồng cứu sinh[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xuồng cứu sinh[/Speechword]
PortHải cảng[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Hải cảng[/Speechword]
SailboatThuyền buồm[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Thuyền buồm[/Speechword]
SeaBiển[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Biển[/Speechword]
ShipVận chuyển[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Vận chuyển[/Speechword]
Vietnamese Transportation Vocabulary - women on the boat

General Phrases In Vietnamese For Getting Around

EnglishVietnameseSound
Excuse me, could you help me?Xin lỗi bạn có thể giúp tôi?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Xin lỗi bạn có thể giúp tôi?[/Speechword]
Go fasterĐi nhanh hơn[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đi nhanh hơn[/Speechword]
Go slowerđi chậm hơn[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]đi chậm hơn[/Speechword]
Go straightĐi thẳng[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đi thẳng[/Speechword]
How much is it?Cái này giá bao nhiêu?[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Cái này giá bao nhiêu?[/Speechword]
JourneyHành trình[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Hành trình[/Speechword]
MoneyTiền bạc[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Tiền bạc[/Speechword]
PedestrianĐi bộ[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đi bộ[/Speechword]
To the leftQua bên trái[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Qua bên trái[/Speechword]
To the rightRẽ phải[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Rẽ phải[/Speechword]
TravelĐi du lịch[Speechword voice=”Vietnamese Male” isinline]Đi du lịch[/Speechword]

So What Is The Best Way To Get Around Vietnam?

Phew! That was a long list. But we still need to answer the question that most people came for. Is it better to take buses, taxis, cars, or one of the myriad other options available?

Well, the answer is that it largely depends on where you are, how much time you have, and what kind of person you are.

For example, if you’re in Hanoi city center and need to get to the outskirts during rush hour, then a motorbike taxi service like Grab is the best way to get around(although far from the safest).

If you’re in Halong Bay making your way around the floating islands, then obviously, it’s probably not the best idea to rent a car.

If you’re doing a whistlestop tour of Vietnam, it’s best to fly from one destination to the next with a budget airline. However, if you have the time, there’s a definite allure in taking the 32-hour train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Here are a few basic tips.

Don’t rent a motorbike or a car, especially not in the cities. The traffic is crazy, to put it mildly, and even experienced drivers and riders won’t know what’s hit them(sometimes literally).

Secondly, avoid xe om drivers(unlicensed motorbike taxis), and I’d probably go as far as to say all taxis unless they’re with the Grab app. The Grab app sets a fixed price, so you won’t find yourself arriving at a destination and the driver demanding more money than the previously agreed-upon price. It’s happened more times than I care to remember.

learn Vietnamese with Ling CTA

Learn Vietnamese Words And Phrases With Ling

We hope you enjoyed our list. I’ve lived in Vietnam for five years, and there is nothing more fun than getting out there and seeing the country.

Ling has been invaluable in that time because you can have more authentic and enriching experiences with local people if you speak a little of the language. Ling’s Vietnamese courses will take you from language learning zero to hero.

If you enjoyed this blog, why not check out a few others here: gym vocabulary in Vietnamese and weather conditions in Vietnamese.

Share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

What makes learning with Ling special

Interactive exercises

Improve your pronunciation by starting a conversation with our app’s interactive chatbot

Engaging activities

Practice your skills with mini-games and track your progress with fun quizzes

Mix of languages

Choose from over 60 languages, both big and small, and listen to audio from native speakers

Proven results

Backed by linguistic research, our learning methods can help you achieve fluency in record time