Useful Vietnamese words and phrases to learn: Speak Like A Local

This post is a guide to an essential Vietnamese phrases and most useful words that every tourist should know before visiting.

Learning at least a few words in Vietnamese not only shows respect for the local culture but also helps break the ice more easily when you travel across Vietnam. In addition, exploring languages like Vietnamese and familiarizing yourself with basic pronunciations can further enrich your overall experience, especially if you’re visiting more remote areas where nobody speaks English.

Fortunately, in most major tourist areas and resorts, locals usually speak some English, so you likely won’t face any serious communication problems. However, if you do encounter language barriers, just smile and embrace the situation as a natural and often memorable part of traveling.

• Check out Best things to do in Vietnam

Introduction to Vietnamese Language

The Vietnamese language (kinh) is a hybrid of Mon-Khmer, Tai and Chinese elements with many of its basic words derived from the monotonic Mon-Khmer languages. The most widely spoken foreign languages in Vietnam are English, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), French and Russian, more or less in that order.

The pronunciation in Vietnamese language varies depending on each region. Moreover, Vietnam consists of three main regions—The North, The Central, and The South—and each one has its own unique pronunciation characteristics.

These differences contribute to the richness and distinctiveness of Vietnamese culture. To truly explore the beauty of these three regions, you need to pay close attention to how pronunciation reflects their individual identities.

Is it difficult to learn Vietnamese Phrases to travel?

Yes and No! Vietnamese is a tonal language, so various methods exist to transliterate Vietnamese into English. For example, you might see the Vietnamese word for ‘hello’ written as chao, xin chào, or chào ban. To help you prepare for your upcoming trip to Vietnam, we’ve gathered some useful Vietnamese phrases for you to learn.

Essential Vietnamese phrases to learn

These distinctions make Vietnamese words and phrases more specific and, requiring learners to pay closer attention to context when addressing others.

Numbers in Vietnamese

Compliment phrases in Vietnamese

Vietnamese Phrases for foods & drinks: At the restaurant

Shopping and Bargaining phrases

Polite & Formal Talk in Vietnamese

When speaking Vietnamese, it is extremely important to add the polite particle ‘ạ’ at the end of a sentence. In formal or respectful conversations, Vietnamese speakers commonly include polite words like “dạ” (yes, politely) or “ạ” to show respect, especially when speaking to elders or superiors.

Although Vietnamese has a word for please (such as “làm ơn”), people don’t use it as frequently or in the same way as in English. Instead, they usually express politeness through tone, respectful pronouns, and particles like “ạ” or “dạ.”

Different Vietnamese Accents Across the Three Regions

The information below explains how pronunciation and word usage differ across Vietnam and highlights the unique features of each region’s accent.

Northern Vietnamese Accent

In Northern Vietnam, locals tend to pronounce words with a heavier and clearer tone. For instance, they often pronounce the letters “l” and “n” distinctly, and they usually pronounce the letters “gi,” “d,” and “r” as the same sound and tonation.

This characteristic makes the Northern Vietnamese accent relatively consistent and standard, especially in formal settings and media.

Central Vietnamese Accent

In Central Vietnam, people often change the tone marks in their pronunciation. For example, they may pronounce acute accents as grave accents, and underdot tones as grave accents.

This shift gives the Central Vietnamese accent a distinctive and sometimes harder-to-understand quality for those unfamiliar with it.

Southern Vietnamese Accent

In Southern Vietnam, people typically pronounce the letter “gi” the same way they pronounce “d.” Additionally, they often merge the tilde accent with the hook above accent, making the Southern Vietnamese accent more relaxed and fluid in tone.

Moreover, each region uses different local words to refer to the same objects. This variation in vocabulary, along with pronunciation differences, adds to the richness and diversity of the Vietnamese language.

Key Differences in Addressing People in English vs. Vietnamese

When speaking English, people usually use the same pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “he,” and “she” regardless of age, status, or relationship.

However, in Vietnamese, we choose from a wide range of pronouns based on the other person’s age, gender, social status, and level of familiarity.

For instance, they might say “bác,” “chú,” “cô,” or “dì,” depending on whether the person is older or younger than one’s parents, or whether the relationship is through the mother’s or father’s side.

Learn Vietnamese phrases to help you sound like a local

We hope this article has helped, but the best way to learn is by listening to native Vietnamese speakers and learning from them. If you get talking to staff at your hotel in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you will probably find they are more than happy to give you some advices.

Moreover, if you’re serious about learning Vietnamese pronunciation and common phrases, you’ll find plenty of free and helpful resources on YouTube and language learning platforms. These tools can help you develop your listening skills, expand your vocabulary, and speak more naturally in real-life situations.