Basic Vietnamese phrases | Language & travel dictionary

Vietnamese is the language used by most people in Vietnam and it is both the national and official language of the country. It stands out from other languages spoken in Asia because it uses Latin letters rather than symbols. This feature makes Vietnamese easy to learn and interpret street signs.

Do they also speak English in Vietnam?

In the southern regions of Vietnam, particularly in big cities and popular tourist spots, speaking English is becoming more effortless as the country experiences an increasing influx of tourists. The government has initiated measures to enhance English-language instruction in schools due to the rising demand. However, if you intend to visit smaller towns or rural areas, it might be beneficial to grasp at least some basic Vietnamese language skills.

English language proficiency is crucial in the southern region where locals have previously worked with Americans. Generally, older Vietnamese individuals may not possess any English language skills, while younger generations are more fluent. Despite their shyness towards foreigners, young people tend to assist lost tourists and engage in conversations to improve their English communication. Additionally, hotels and restaurants in tourist destinations usually have Vietnamese staff fluent in English.

Greetings in Vietnamese

In Vietnam, the way you greet and communicate with someone greatly depends on their gender, age, and social status compared to yours. Generally, addressing a man as ‘b’ and a woman as ‘b’ would be considered respectful. If you’re speaking with someone around your age, whether it’s a formal or informal conversation, you can use ‘anh’ for a man and ‘chi’ for a woman.

Pronunciation

The challenge in speaking Vietnamese lies in its pronunciation. This language is tonal and uses single-syllable words, wherein each syllable can be spoken in six distinct pitches – toneless, ascending, rapidly descending, slowly descending, floating or interrupted. These different pitches are indicated by characters above the letters. Changing the pitch of a word alters its meaning, resulting in six potential meanings for a single word. Incorrectly pronouncing a word can create confusion very quickly.

Basic Vietnamese phrases for travellers

These are just a few basic Vietnamese phrases that can be useful for travellers. It’s always helpful to have a basic understanding of the local language when visiting a foreign country to facilitate communication and show respect to the locals.

General talk

Food and drink

Ask for directions