Vietnamese is a tonal language with 6 tones, but good news: it uses the Latin alphabet (quoc ngu), which makes reading much easier. Spoken by 95 million people, it is the key to exploring Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the beaches of Da Nang.
Vietnamese (tieng Viet) is spoken by around 95 million people across Vietnam and the diaspora living in France, the United States, Australia or Canada. It is a tonal language with six tones, and your intonation can radically change the meaning of a syllable. You will quickly realise that pronunciation matters more than grammar, which is fairly straightforward: no conjugation, no gender, no agreement. The good news for travellers and learners is that Vietnamese is written with the Latin alphabet, chu Quoc ngu, designed in the 17th century by Portuguese missionaries and popularised by the Jesuit Alexandre de Rhodes. Diacritics above or below vowels mark tones and specific vowel sounds. The lexicon shows centuries of Chinese influence, especially in formal, administrative or religious vocabulary, alongside French loanwords (ca phe for coffee, ga for railway station, banh mi for bread). Culturally, you will notice the rich pronoun system based on age and family ties: you do not address an elder, a younger person or a shopkeeper with the same word. The family remains the pivot of society, and ancestor respect shapes both language and ritual. At the market, bargaining is done with a smile and patience, never aggression. Tet, the lunar new year, is the most important moment of the calendar: knowing a few greeting formulas will open many doors.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You have just landed in Ho Chi Minh City after a long flight. At the information desk, an agent asks how you are doing. A few polite Vietnamese words often trigger a smile and a warmer welcome.
You want to reach your hotel without being caught off guard by the fare. Announcing your destination, asking the price and knowing how to ask the driver to stop at the right spot saves you from many misunderstandings.
Sitting on a small plastic stool, you order a ca phe sua da. The owner offers the menu and a daily special. This is the perfect moment to practise restaurant phrases.
You feel unwell after dinner and the on-duty pharmacy is far away. Being able to explain your condition and ask for a doctor or the hospital makes all the difference.
You leave the next day and stop by the market for last-minute shopping. Greeting the vendor who has seen you every day, bargaining one last time and saying goodbye closes your trip with grace.
What you need to know before travelling to a vietnamese-speaking country.
Tones are crucial in Vietnamese. "Ma" can mean ghost, horse, corn, rice, tomb or young rice plant depending on the tone. Don't be discouraged: Vietnamese people are used to understanding foreigners and will guess the context with goodwill.
Vietnamese uses different pronouns depending on the gender and age of your interlocutor. "Anh" (older man), "chi" (older woman), "em" (younger person). When in doubt, "ban" (friend) is neutral and polite for everyone.
Avoid pointing your finger directly at a person: it is considered rude. Use your open hand, palm facing down, to indicate someone or a direction.
A Vietnamese person will rarely say "no" directly to save face. "Co the" (perhaps) or "de xem" (we'll see) often mean no. Learn to read between the lines rather than insisting.
Accepting food or a dinner invitation is a fundamental gesture of respect. Refusing can seem rude. If you have dietary restrictions, explain them with a smile and kindness.
The French heritage is present: coffee (ca phe), baguette (banh mi), cheese (pho mai). Vietnam was colonized from 1887 to 1954. This historical link can create a connection with locals, especially older generations.
Language, cuisine and mentalities differ between Hanoi (north) and Ho Chi Minh City (south). Northerners are often perceived as more formal and reserved, Southerners as more relaxed and entrepreneurial.
Removing shoes before entering a house is the absolute norm. In temples and pagodas, it is mandatory. Look for rows of shoes at the entrance as a signal.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Vang / Co
vahng / koh
Yes
Khong
khong
No
Cam on
kahm uhn
Thank you
Khong co gi
khong koh zi
You're welcome
Xin loi
sin loy
Sorry
Nuoc
noo-uk
Water
Do an
doh ahn
Food
Khach san
khahk sahn
Hotel
San bay
sahn bai
Airport
Benh vien
ben vyen
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
No credit card. One-click unsubscribe. GDPR compliant.
Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
All Targumi resources for this language.
Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes.
Films, music, traditions. How well do you know?
Guides, methods and tips to progress.
Essential words and phrases organised by themes.
Films, series, podcasts and music to immerse yourself.
Live classes with a bilingual native teacher. First lessons free.
The kit is just the start. To really speak the language, join a live class with a native teacher. Small groups, real feedback, fast progress.
30-day money-back guarantee, native teachers