Top 10 Vietnamese Phrases Every Traveler Should Know

• By Katie Katie • 4 Min Read

Traveling to Vietnam is an exciting adventure filled with vibrant culture, delicious food, and warm people. Knowing a few basic Vietnamese phrases can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable, helping you connect with locals and navigate everyday situations with ease. Here are the top 10 essential Vietnamese phrases every traveler should know:

Contents

1. Xin chào (Hello)

Pronunciation: sin chao
Use “Xin chào” to politely greet anyone at any time of day. Say it like “sin chow” with a soft “ch” like in “chocolate.”

2. Cảm ơn (Thank you)

Pronunciation: gahm un
Show gratitude by saying “Cảm ơn” — sounds like “gahm un,” with a short and soft “un” like the “un” in “under.”

3. Xin lỗi (Excuse me / Sorry)

Pronunciation: sin loy
Use “Xin lỗi” to apologize or get someone’s attention. Pronounce it like “sin loy,” with “loy” rhyming with “boy.”

4. Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không? (Do you speak English?)

Pronunciation: ban co noi tieng anh khong?
Ask politely if someone speaks English by saying “Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?”
Break it down:

ban — like “bahn”
co — like “co” in “cooperate”
noi — sounds like “noy”
tieng — “tyeng” (with a soft “t” and “eng” as in “seng”)
anh — “ahn” (like “on” with a soft “ah” sound)
khong — “khom” (guttural “kh” sound, like clearing throat)

5. Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? (Where is the restroom?)

Pronunciation: nya veh sin uh dow?
Ask where the restroom is by saying “Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?”

Nhà — sounds like “nya” (like “nya” in “canyon” but nasal)
vệ sinh — “veh sin”
ở — short “uh” sound
đâu — “dow” (rhymes with “how”)

6. Bao nhiêu tiền? (How much is this?)

Pronunciation: bao nyew tien?
Perfect for shopping, say “Bao nhiêu tiền?” like “bao nyew tien.”

Bao — rhymes with “cow”
Nhiêu — “nyew” (like “new” but with a “y” glide)
Tiền — “tien” (like “tee-en”)

7. Tôi không hiểu (I don’t understand)

Pronunciation: toy khom hyew
Use “Tôi không hiểu” when you don’t understand something.

Tôi — “toy”
Không — “khom” (guttural “kh”)
Hiểu — “hyew” (like “hue” with a “y” glide)

8. Giúp tôi với! (Help me!)

Pronunciation: yoop toy voy!
In an emergency, shout “Giúp tôi với!”

Giúp — “yoop” (soft “y” sound)
Tôi — “toy”
Với — “voy” (rhymes with “boy”)

9. Tôi muốn đi đến… (I want to go to…)

Pronunciation: toy moon dee den…
Tell a taxi or ask directions with “Tôi muốn đi đến…”

Tôi — “toy”
Muốn — “moon” (like the English word)
Đi — “dee”
Đến — “den” (rhymes with “men”)

10. Có thể giảm giá không? (Can you give me a discount?)

Pronunciation: co thay zam za khom?
Try bargaining by saying “Có thể giảm giá không?”

Có thể — “co thay”
Giảm — “zam” (soft “z” sound)
Giá — “za” (like “za” in “pizza”)
Không — “khom” (guttural “kh”)

Bonus Tips for Pronunciation:

Vietnamese is tonal; meaning can change with tone, but basic phrases are still understood with effort.
Listen to native speakers online to get a feel for the sounds.
Speak slowly and clearly, and don’t be afraid to smile — locals love when travelers try!

With these phrases and pronunciation tips, you’ll feel more confident exploring Vietnam and making meaningful connections. Chúc bạn có một chuyến đi vui vẻ! (Have a great trip!)

If you are interested in exploring different cultures and traditions, you may also enjoy reading about the Kayan Long Neck Culture. This article delves into the fascinating customs and practices of the Kayan people, known for their tradition of wearing brass coils around their necks. It offers a unique insight into the history and significance of this cultural practice, making it a must-read for anyone interested in learning about diverse cultural traditions.