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Vietnam · Vietnamese Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Xin chào
    Hello (all-purpose greeting) “sin chow”
  2. 2
    Cảm ơn
    Thank you “gahm uhn”
  3. 3
    Xin lỗi
    Sorry / Excuse me “sin loy”
  4. 4
    Không, cảm ơn
    No, thank you (polite decline) “khom gahm uhn”
  5. 5
    Tạm biệt
    Goodbye “tahm bee-uht”
  6. 6
    Rất vui được gặp bạn
    Nice to meet you “zut vwee duhk gap ban”
Local etiquette
  • Titles change with age and gender (anh for older man, chị for older woman, em for younger). When unsure, a smile and "Xin chào" is always safe.
  • Give and receive items — name cards, gifts, change — with both hands as a sign of respect.

Basics

  1. 1
    Vâng / Không
    Yes / No “vung / khom”
  2. 2
    Tôi không hiểu
    I don't understand “toy khom hee-oo”
  3. 3
    Tôi không nói được tiếng Việt
    I don't speak Vietnamese “toy khom noy duhk tee-eng vee-uht”
  4. 4
    Bạn nói tiếng Anh được không?
    Do you speak English? “ban noy tee-eng ang duhk khom?”
  5. 5
    Xin nói chậm lại
    Please speak slowly “sin noy chum lai”
  6. 6
    Cái này là gì?
    What is this? “kai nai la zee?”
  7. 7
    Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
    Where is the restroom? “nya veh sin uh dow?”
  8. 8
    Giúp tôi với
    Please help me “zoop toy vuh-ee”
Local etiquette
  • Don't touch someone's head (especially women and elders) or pat their shoulder; avoid casual physical contact.
  • To beckon someone, wave with your palm facing down. Pointing with a finger is considered rude.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Cái này bao nhiêu tiền?
    How much is this? “kai nai bao nyew tee-en?”
  2. 2
    Đắt quá!
    Too expensive! (start of haggling) “dat kwah!”
  3. 3
    Giảm giá được không?
    Can you give a discount? “zahm zah duhk khom?”
  4. 4
    Bớt chút đi
    Take a little off, please “buht choot dee”
  5. 5
    Tôi lấy cái này
    I'll take this one “toy lay kai nai”
  6. 6
    Trả bằng thẻ được không?
    Can I pay by card? “chah bang teh duhk khom?”
  7. 7
    Cho tôi xem cái kia
    Please show me that one “cho toy sem kai kee-a”
Local etiquette
  • Haggling is expected at markets and street stalls. Start around half the first price, stay smiling, and don't push too hard.
  • Malls and convenience stores have fixed prices — no bargaining there.
  • Carry small cash (dong); many stalls and markets don't take cards.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Cho tôi xem thực đơn
    The menu, please “cho toy sem tuhk duhn”
  2. 2
    Cho tôi một bát phở
    One bowl of pho, please “cho toy moht baht fuh”
  3. 3
    Cho tôi một cái bánh mì
    One banh mi, please “cho toy moht kai bang mee”
  4. 4
    Không cho đá
    No ice, please (often requested for hygiene) “khom cho dah”
  5. 5
    Không cay
    Not spicy, please “khom kai”
  6. 6
    Ngon quá!
    So delicious! “ngon kwah!”
  7. 7
    Tính tiền
    Check, please “ting tee-en”
  8. 8
    Cho tôi một cốc cà phê sữa đá
    One iced coffee with condensed milk, please “cho toy moht kohk ka feh suh-a dah”
Local etiquette
  • Ice and raw vegetables at street stalls can upset your stomach. If unsure, say "Không cho đá" (no ice).
  • Add lime, chili, and bean sprouts to your pho to taste — the side plate of greens is meant to go in the bowl.
  • Tipping isn't strong here, but small tips are appreciated at nicer restaurants and for good service.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Cho tôi đi đến địa chỉ này
    Take me to this address, please “cho toy dee den dee-a chee nai”
  2. 2
    Làm ơn bật đồng hồ
    Please turn on the meter (taxi) “lam uhn but dong hoh”
  3. 3
    Đi Grab được không?
    Can we go by Grab? (Grab app recommended) “dee grab duhk khom?”
  4. 4
    Bao nhiêu tiền một chuyến?
    How much for one ride? “bao nyew tee-en moht chwee-en?”
  5. 5
    Dừng ở đây
    Stop here, please “zung uh day”
  6. 6
    Còn bao xa nữa?
    How much farther? “kohn bao sah nuh-a?”
  7. 7
    Tôi bị lạc đường
    I'm lost “toy bee lak duhng”
Local etiquette
  • Taxi meter tampering and overcharging are common. Booking via the Grab app locks in the fare and is safer.
  • Choose reputable companies like Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun, and always check the meter is running.
  • Motorbike traffic is intense. Cross the road slowly at a steady pace and the bikes will flow around you.

Hotel

  1. 1
    Tôi có đặt phòng
    I have a reservation “toy koh dat fong”
  2. 2
    Tôi muốn nhận phòng
    I'd like to check in “toy moo-on nyun fong”
  3. 3
    Mấy giờ trả phòng?
    What time is check-out? “may zuh chah fong?”
  4. 4
    Mật khẩu Wi-Fi là gì?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “mut khoh wai-fai la zee?”
  5. 5
    Cho tôi gửi hành lý
    May I leave my luggage here? “cho toy guh-ee hang lee”
  6. 6
    Phòng có điều hòa không?
    Does the room have air conditioning? “fong koh dee-oo hwah khom?”
Local etiquette
  • You may need to hand over your passport at check-in for registration; be sure to get it back when you leave.
  • Budget places sometimes ration hot water or AC by the hour — confirm before booking.

Emergency

  1. 1
    Cứu với!
    Help! “kuh-oo vuh-ee!”
  2. 2
    Gọi cảnh sát!
    Call the police! “goy kang saht!”
  3. 3
    Gọi xe cấp cứu!
    Call an ambulance! “goy seh kup kuh-oo!”
  4. 4
    Bệnh viện ở đâu?
    Where is a hospital? “beng vee-en uh dow?”
  5. 5
    Tôi bị mất hộ chiếu
    I lost my passport “toy bee mut hoh chee-oo”
Local etiquette
  • Emergency numbers: police 113, fire 114, ambulance 115.
  • At temples and pagodas, cover shoulders and knees, remove your shoes, and avoid taking photos with your back to a Buddha statue.