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.
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Common Transportation Vocabulary In Vietnamese
Here we have it! The very basics to get you started.
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.
| English | Vietnamese | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Phi trường | |
| Bus Station | Trạm xe buýt | |
| Bus Stop | Điểm dừng xe buýt | |
| Highway | Xa lộ | |
| Metro Station | Ga tàu điện ngầm | |
| Road | Đường | |
| Street | Đường phố | |
| Train Station | Ga xe lửa |
Questions To Ask To Help You Get Around
And here are some phrases so you can be more specific.
Different Types Of Transportation Tickets
These are useful to know when travelling or booking trips.
| English | Vietnamese | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Bus ticket | Vé xe buýt | |
| One-way | Một chiều | |
| Plane ticket | Vé máy bay | |
| Round trip | khứ hồi | |
| Train ticket | Vé tàu |
Car-Related Vocabulary In Vietnamese
The most universal means of transport. Here are the key terms.
| English | Vietnamese | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper | Bội thu | |
| Door | Cửa | |
| Engine | Động cơ | |
| Fuel | Nhiên liệu | |
| Gas station | Trạm xăng | |
| Gas tank | Bình xăng | |
| Headlight | đèn pha | |
| Seat | Ghế | |
| Tire | Lốp xe | |
| Wheel | Bánh xe | |
| Windscreen | Kính ô tô |
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.
Airplane-related Vocabulary In Vietnamese
Travel by air is becoming increasingly popular within Vietnam. Here are common words to know when travelling by air.
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?
| English | Vietnamese | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Mỏ neo | |
| Boat | Con thuyền | |
| Docked | Cập bến | |
| Jet ski | Máy bay phản lực trượt tuyết | |
| Life jacket | Áo phao | |
| Lifeboat | Xuồng cứu sinh | |
| Port | Hải cảng | |
| Sailboat | Thuyền buồm | |
| Sea | Biển | |
| Ship | Vận chuyển |
General Phrases In Vietnamese For Getting Around
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 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.
