Language Learning Guide For Travelers To Vietnam – Vietnamese Language

Vietnamese, or Tiếng Việt, is the official language of Vietnam and is spoken by approximately 86 million people worldwide. It belongs to the Austroasiatic language family and is characterized by its tonal nature, meaning that the tone in which a word is spoken can change its meaning entirely. Vietnamese has six distinct tones, which can be challenging for learners, but mastering these tones is essential for effective communication.

The Vietnamese alphabet consists of 29 letters, including several diacritics that modify the sounds of vowels and consonants. Unlike English, Vietnamese is a phonetic language; words are pronounced as they are written. This feature simplifies pronunciation for learners once they grasp the basic sounds and tones.

This guide aims to provide travelers with essential vocabulary and phrases to navigate Vietnam confidently. The following sections cover various topics, complete with pronunciation guides to facilitate learning.

Numbers 1-20

Number	Vietnamese	Pronunciation
1	một	[mot]
2	hai	[hai]
3	ba	[ba]
4	bốn	[bon]
5	năm	[nam]
6	sáu	[sow]
7	bảy	[bye]
8	tám	[tam]
9	chín	[cheen]
10	mười	[mee-uh]
11	mười một	[mee-uh mot]
12	mười hai	[mee-uh hai]
13	mười ba	[mee-uh ba]
14	mười bốn	[mee-uh bon]
15	mười năm	[mee-uh nam]
16	mười sáu	[mee-uh sow]
17	mười bảy	[mee-uh bye]
18	mười tám	[mee-uh tam]
19	mười chín	[mee-uh cheen]
20	hai mươi	[hai mee-uh]

Days of the Week

Day	Vietnamese	Pronunciation
Monday	Thứ Hai	[thoo hi]
Tuesday	Thứ Ba	[thoo bah]
Wednesday	Thứ Tư	[thoo tuh]
Thursday	Thứ Năm	[thoo nam]
Friday	Thứ Sáu	[thoo sow]
Saturday	Thứ Bảy	[thoo bye]
Sunday	Chủ Nhật	[choo nyat]

Months

Month	Vietnamese	Pronunciation
January	Tháng Một	[tang mot]
February	Tháng Hai	[tang hai]
March	Tháng Ba	[tang bah]
April	Tháng Tư	[tang tuh]
May	Tháng Năm	[tang nam]
June	Tháng Sáu	[tang sow]
July	Tháng Bảy	[tang bye]
August	Tháng Tám	[tang tam]
September	Tháng Chín	[tang cheen]
October	Tháng Mười	[tang mee-uh]
November	Tháng Mười Một	[tang mee-uh mot]
December	Tháng Mười Hai	[tang mee-uh hai]

Greetings in Vietnamese

Basic Greetings

Hello: Xin chào (pronounced: zin chow)

Good morning: Chào buổi sáng (pronounced: chow boo-ee sang)

Good afternoon: Chào buổi chiều (pronounced: chow boo-ee chee-ow)

Good evening: Chào buổi tối (pronounced: chow boo-ee toy)

Good night: Chúc ngủ ngon (pronounced: chook ngoo ngon)

Farewells

Goodbye: Tạm biệt (pronounced: tam byet)

See you later: Hẹn gặp lại (pronounced: hen gap lie)

Take care: Bảo trọng (pronounced: bao trong)

Polite Greetings

How are you?: Bạn khỏe không? (pronounced: ban kweh khong?)
Nice to meet you: Rất vui được gặp bạn (pronounced: ruh-t voo-ee dook gap ban)
Long time no see: Lâu quá không gặp! (pronounced: low quah khong gap!)

Informal Greetings

Hey!: Này! (pronounced: nay!)
What’s up?: Có chuyện gì vậy? (pronounced: koh chuyen zee vai?)

Time-Specific Greetings

Happy New Year: Chúc mừng năm mới (pronounced: chook mung nam moy)
Happy Birthday: Chúc mừng sinh nhật (pronounced: chook mung sin nyet)

Vietnamese greetings often reflect respect and politeness. Using the appropriate greeting depending on the time of day or the context of the conversation is important in Vietnamese culture.

Polite Expressions

Thank you: Cảm ơn (pronounced: gahm un)
You’re welcome: Không có gì (pronounced: khong koh zee)
Excuse me / Sorry: Xin lỗi (pronounced: zin loy)

Basic Shopping Phrases in Vietnamese

Common Questions

How much is this?: Cái này giá bao nhiêu? (pronounced: guy nai zah bow nyew?)
I would like to buy this: Tôi muốn mua cái này. (pronounced: toy moon moo-ah guy nai.)
Do you have a discount?: Bạn có giảm giá không? (pronounced: ban koh zahm zah khong?)
Can you give me a better price?: Bạn có thể giảm giá hơn không? (pronounced: ban koh tay zahm zah hun khong?)
Is this the final price?: Đây có phải là giá cuối cùng không? (pronounced: day koh fai lah zah koo-ee koong khong?)

Product Inquiries

Do you have this in another size?: Bạn có cái này kích cỡ khác không? (pronounced: ban koh guy nai kick kuh khak khong?)
Can I see that?: Tôi có thể xem cái đó không? (pronounced: toy koh tay xem guy doh khong?)
What is this made of?: Cái này làm bằng gì? (pronounced: guy nai lahm bang zee?)

Payment and Transactions

I would like to pay: Tôi muốn thanh toán. (pronounced: toy moon tang toan.)
Do you accept credit cards?: Bạn có chấp nhận thẻ tín dụng không? (pronounced: ban koh chup nyen thay tin zung khong?)
Where is the cashier?: Quầy thu ngân ở đâu? (pronounced: kwai thu ngan uh dow?)

Expressing Preferences

I prefer this one: Tôi thích cái này hơn. (pronounced: toy tik guy nai hun.)
I don’t like this: Tôi không thích cái này. (pronounced: toy khong tik guy nai.)

Closing the Deal

I’ll take it: Tôi sẽ lấy cái này. (pronounced: toy seh lay guy nai.)
Can you wrap it up for me?: Bạn có thể gói lại cho tôi không? (pronounced: ban koh tay goi lie cho toy khong?)

When shopping in Vietnam, it’s common to negotiate prices, especially in markets or small shops. Politeness is key, so using phrases like “cảm ơn” (thank you) and “xin lỗi” (excuse me/sorry) can go a long way in creating a positive interaction.

Ordering Food

I would like…: Tôi muốn… (pronounced: toy moon…)
Can I see the menu?: Tôi có thể xem thực đơn không? (pronounced: toy koh tay sem thook don khong?)
Delicious!: Ngon quá! (pronounced: ngon kwa!)

Basic Ordering Phrases

I would like…: Tôi muốn… (pronounced: toy moon…)
Can I see the menu?: Tôi có thể xem thực đơn không? (pronounced: toy koh tay sem thook don khong?)
What do you recommend?: Bạn có đề xuất gì không? (pronounced: ban koh day soot zee khong?)
I’m ready to order: Tôi đã sẵn sàng để gọi món. (pronounced: toy dah san sang day goi mon.)
Can I order this?: Tôi có thể gọi cái này không? (pronounced: toy koh tay goi guy nai khong?)

Expressing Preferences

I would like this dish: Tôi muốn món này. (pronounced: toy moon mon nai.)
I don’t want spicy food: Tôi không muốn ăn cay. (pronounced: toy khong moon an kai.)
Do you have vegetarian options?: Bạn có món chay không? (pronounced: ban koh mon chai khong?)

Asking About Ingredients

What is this made of?: Món này làm từ gì? (pronounced: mon nai lahm tu zee?)
Does this contain meat?: Món này có thịt không? (pronounced: mon nai koh thi-t khong?)
Is this dish gluten-free?: Món này có chứa gluten không? (pronounced: mon nai koh chua gluten khong?)

Compliments and Feedback

Delicious!: Ngon quá! (pronounced: ngon kwa!)
This is very tasty: Món này rất ngon. (pronounced: mon nai ruh-t ngon.)
I love this dish: Tôi rất thích món này. (pronounced: toy ruh-t tik mon nai.)

Requesting Modifications

Can you make it less spicy?: Bạn có thể làm ít cay hơn không? (pronounced: ban koh tay lahm it kai hun khong?)
Can I have it without onions?: Tôi có thể không cho hành được không? (pronounced: toy koh tay khong cho hanh duoc khong?)
Please serve it hot: Xin hãy phục vụ nóng. (pronounced: sin hai phook voo nong.)

Payment and Closing the Meal

Can I have the bill, please?: Cho tôi xin hóa đơn. (pronounced: cho toy sin hoa don.)
Thank you for the meal: Cảm ơn bữa ăn. (pronounced: kahm un boo-a an.)
It was a great meal: Bữa ăn rất tuyệt! (pronounced: boo-a an ruh-t twyet!)

Sure! Here’s an expanded list of transportation terms in Vietnamese, including various modes of transport and useful phrases related to getting around.

Transportation Terms in Vietnamese

Common Modes of Transportation

Taxi: Taxi (pronounced: same as English)
Bus: Xe buýt (pronounced: seh bweat)
Train: Tàu (pronounced: tau)
Motorbike: Xe máy (pronounced: seh my)
Bicycle: Xe đạp (pronounced: seh dap)
Car: Xe ô tô (pronounced: seh oh toh)

Transportation Locations

Bus station: Bến xe buýt (pronounced: ben say bweat)
Train station: Ga tàu (pronounced: gah tau)
Airport: Sân bay (pronounced: san bye)
Port: Cảng (pronounced: kahng)
Metro station: Ga tàu điện ngầm (pronounced: gah tau dee-en ngam)

Useful Phrases for Transportation

Where is the bus station?: Bến xe buýt ở đâu? (pronounced: ben say bweat uh dow?)
How much is the fare?: Giá vé là bao nhiêu? (pronounced: zah veh lah bow nyew?)
I would like to go to…: Tôi muốn đi đến… (pronounced: toy moon dee den…)
What time does the bus/train leave?: Xe buýt/tàu rời lúc mấy giờ? (pronounced: seh bweat/tau roy luk my zoh?)
Is this seat taken?: Chỗ này có người ngồi chưa? (pronounced: cho nai koh goo-ee noi chua?)

Asking for Directions

How do I get to…?: Làm thế nào để đến…? (pronounced: lahm thay nao day den…?)
Can you show me on the map?: Bạn có thể chỉ cho tôi trên bản đồ không? (pronounced: ban koh tay chee cho toy tren ban doh khong?)
Which bus goes to…?: Xe buýt nào đi đến…? (pronounced: seh bweat nao dee den…?)

Safety and Comfort

Please drive safely: Xin hãy lái xe an toàn. (pronounced: sin hai lai seh an ton.)
Can you turn on the air conditioning?: Bạn có thể bật điều hòa không? (pronounced: ban koh tay but dee-u wah khong?)
I feel sick: Tôi cảm thấy khó chịu. (pronounced: toy kahm thay kho chee-u.)

Cultural Notes

In Vietnam, motorbikes are one of the most popular forms of transportation, especially in urban areas. Always negotiate taxi fares in advance or ensure the meter is running. Public transportation can be crowded, so be prepared for a lively experience!

If you need more specific phrases or further assistance, feel free to ask!

Directions

Where is…?: … ở đâu? (pronounced: … uh dow?)
Turn left/right: Quẹo trái/phải (pronounced: kwey-oh chai/fai)

Hotel and Accommodation Vocabulary

Do you have a room available?: Bạn có phòng trống không? (pronounced: ban koh fong chong khong?)
I have a reservation.: Tôi có đặt phòng. (pronounced: toy koh dat fong.)

Emergency Phrases

Help!: Cứu tôi! (pronounced: kuh toe!)
Call the police!: Gọi cảnh sát! (pronounced: goy kanh sat!)

Common Questions

What is your name?: Bạn tên gì? (pronounced: ban ten zee?)
Where are you from?: Bạn đến từ đâu? (pronounced: ban den tu dow?)

Weather Terms

Hot: Nóng (pronounced: nong)
Cold: Lạnh (pronounced: lanh)
Rain: Mưa (pronounced: mua)

Cultural Etiquette Phrases

Understanding cultural etiquette is crucial in Vietnam. Here are some phrases:

“Please” – Làm ơn (pronounced: lam un)

Health and Medical Terms

“Doctor” – Bác sĩ (pronounced: bak see)

Dining Etiquette

When dining, it’s polite to say:

“Enjoy your meal” – Chúc bạn ngon miệng! (pronounced:chook ban ngon mee-yeng!)

Local Attractions Vocabulary

Common phrases related to attractions:

“Where is the museum?” – Bảo tàng ở đâu? (pronounced:bao tang uh dow?)

Currency and Payment Terms

Vietnam’s currency is the Dong:

“How much does it cost?” – Giá bao nhiêu? (pronounced:zah bow nyew?)

Social Interactions

Engaging in small talk:

“How are you?” – Bạn khỏe không? (pronounced:ban kweh khong?)

Compliments and Small Talk

To compliment someone:

“You look nice!” – Bạn trông đẹp quá! (pronounced:ban chong dep kwa!)

This guide serves as a foundational resource for travelers looking to communicate effectively in Vietnam. Mastering these phrases will not only enhance your travel experience but also help you connect with the local culture and people.

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Cosmic Voyager

The Cosmic Voyager is a passionate traveler with an insatiable curiosity for the wonders of the universe, always seeking new horizons and experiences that expand the mind and soul.