Vietnamese Language Guide: Essential Phrases for Travelers in 2025 - Xplrverse

Introduction: Why Learning Vietnamese Will Transform Your Travel Experience

I’ll never forget my first day in Ho Chi Minh City back in 2019. Armed with nothing but a translation app and an embarrassingly poor pronunciation guide, I attempted to order phở at a local street vendor. What came out of my mouth must have been so incomprehensible that the elderly woman running the stall burst into laughter, called over her entire family, and had me repeat my mangled Vietnamese for their collective amusement. While mortifying at the time, this moment became the catalyst for my determination to properly learn essential Vietnamese phrases.

After multiple trips and countless language mishaps, I’ve compiled this practical Vietnamese language guide specifically for travelers heading to Ho Chi Minh City in 2025. Vietnam’s largest city (still called Saigon by many locals) can be overwhelming, but knowing even basic phrases will significantly enhance your experience, save you money, and earn genuine appreciation from locals.

Vietnamese might seem intimidating with its six tones and unfamiliar sounds, but don’t worry—I’ve focused on practical phrases that are easy to pronounce and guaranteed to make your trip smoother. Plus, I’ve included insider tips on how proper pronunciation can literally save you thousands of đồng!

Understanding Vietnamese Pronunciation Basics

Before diving into specific phrases, let’s tackle the most challenging aspect of Vietnamese: pronunciation. The language has six tones that can completely change a word’s meaning. During my second visit, I learned that saying “phở” (the famous noodle soup) with the wrong tone could accidentally mean “husband” — leading to some very confused looks when I told people I wanted to eat one!

The Six Vietnamese Tones

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the six tones with examples:

Tone Mark	Name	Sound Description	Example
No mark	Level tone	Flat, mid-level pitch	ma (ghost)
à, è, ì…	Falling tone	Starts medium, falls lower	mà (but)
á, é, í…	Rising tone	Starts medium, rises higher	má (cheek, mother)
ả, ẻ, ỉ…	Dipping tone	Starts medium, dips down then up	mả (tomb, grave)
ã, ẽ, ĩ…	Breaking tone	Starts medium, breaks in middle	mã (horse, code)
ạ, ẹ, ị…	Heavy tone	Starts low, falls lower with glottal stop	mạ (rice seedling)

Don’t worry about mastering all six tones immediately. In my experience, locals appreciate the effort regardless of perfect pronunciation. Focus on the level, rising, and falling tones first, as they’re most common in everyday phrases.

Pronunciation Tips From My Mistakes

Consonants: ‘đ’ is pronounced like the ‘d’ in “dog,” while ‘d’ is closer to a ‘z’ sound
Vowels: ‘ư’ is like saying “oo” with flat lips
Final sounds: Practice ending consonants like ‘c’, ‘p’, and ‘t’ with no release of air
Common mistake: I once spent days pronouncing “cảm ơn” (thank you) with rising instead of dipping tones. A kind barista finally corrected me after my fifth coffee!

Pro Tip: Record Vietnamese speakers saying phrases and practice alongside the recording. The Duolingo Vietnamese course now has excellent audio examples tailored for travelers in their 2025 update.

Essential Greetings and Politeness Phrases

Vietnamese culture places enormous value on respect and politeness. Using these basic greetings has consistently helped me establish positive connections with locals, from taxi drivers to market vendors.

Daily Greetings

Xin chào (sin chow) – Hello
Chào buổi sáng (chow buoy sang) – Good morning
Chào buổi chiều (chow buoy cheeu) – Good afternoon
Chào buổi tối (chow buoy toy) – Good evening
Tạm biệt (tam bee-et) – Goodbye

Essential Politeness Phrases

Cảm ơn (gam un) – Thank you
Cảm ơn rất nhiều (gam un ret nyew) – Thank you very much
Không có gì (khom go zee) – You’re welcome
Xin lỗi (sin loy) – Sorry/Excuse me
Vâng / Dạ (vung / ya) – Yes (formal)
Không (khom) – No

During my third visit to Ho Chi Minh City in 2023, I noticed that adding “ạ” (ah) at the end of phrases when speaking to elders was met with visible appreciation. This tiny particle shows respect and proper understanding of social hierarchy.

Using Appropriate Address Forms

Vietnamese uses different pronouns based on age and relationship, which confused me immensely at first. Here’s a simplified approach that has worked well for me as a traveler:

Address Form	When to Use	Example Phrase
Anh (for men)	Addressing men around your age or slightly older	Cảm ơn anh (Thank you, sir)
Chị (for women)	Addressing women around your age or slightly older	Xin lỗi chị (Excuse me, miss/ma’am)
Bác (for elders)	Addressing considerably older people (like grandparent age)	Chào bác (Hello, elder)
Em	Addressing noticeably younger people	Cảm ơn em (Thank you, young one)

Money-saving Insider Tip #1: Using proper address forms can literally save you money! I’ve noticed that using appropriate pronouns when bargaining at Bến Thành Market typically results in 10-15% better prices as vendors appreciate the cultural respect.

Restaurant and Food Phrases That Will Enhance Your Culinary Experience

Ho Chi Minh City offers some of Vietnam’s best street food and restaurants. During my visits, I’ve found that knowing restaurant-specific phrases not only prevents ordering mishaps but also often leads to special recommendations from staff.

Basic Restaurant Phrases

Thực đơn (tuk don) – Menu
Tôi muốn gọi món (toy moo-ohn goy mon) – I would like to order
Tôi muốn một… (toy moo-ohn mot…) – I would like one…
Món này là gì? (mon nay la zee) – What is this dish?
Có món chay không? (co mon chai khom) – Do you have vegetarian dishes?
Cay không? (guy khom) – Is it spicy?
Không quá cay (khom qua guy) – Not too spicy, please
Tính tiền (tin tee-en) – Bill, please

Must-Try Foods and How to Order Them

Here are some must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City and how to order them accurately:

Phở bò (fuh bo) – Beef noodle soup
- Specify: tái (rare), chín (well-done), or nạm (flank)
Bánh mì thịt (banh mee tit) – Meat sandwich
- Add: không ớt (no chili) if you prefer less spicy
Cơm tấm (com tam) – Broken rice with grilled pork
- Add: thêm trứng (more egg) for extra protein
Cà phê sữa đá (ca feh sua da) – Iced coffee with condensed milk
- Specify: ít đá (less ice) or không đường (no sugar)

Last year, I learned the hard way that “không hành” (no onions) is a critical phrase for those with allergy concerns. When I ordered bún bò Huế without clarifying this, I ended up with a bowl absolutely loaded with green onions!

Money-saving Insider Tip #2: Learn to ask “Có giảm giá không?” (Is there a discount?) when buying multiple items. In early 2024, this simple phrase saved me nearly 200,000 VND (about $8) when buying coffee beans at a specialty shop in District 1.

Transportation and Direction Phrases

Navigating Ho Chi Minh City’s chaotic traffic can be intimidating. During my first visit, I spent nearly 300,000 VND on a taxi ride that should have cost 80,000 VND because I couldn’t properly communicate. These phrases have saved me countless times since then.

Getting Around Phrases

Tôi muốn đi đến… (toy moo-ohn di den…) – I want to go to…
Bao nhiêu tiền? (bow nyew tee-en) – How much money?
Đắt quá (dat qua) – Too expensive
Đi bao xa? (di bow sa) – How far is it?
Chạy đồng hồ (chai dong ho) – Use the meter (for taxis)
Dừng ở đây (yung uh day) – Stop here
Từ từ thôi (too too toy) – Slow down, please

Districts and Popular Destinations

Ho Chi Minh City is divided into numerous districts. Knowing how to pronounce the names of common tourist areas can help immensely:

Quận 1 (quan mot) – District 1 (main tourist area)
Chợ Bến Thành (chuh ben tanh) – Ben Thanh Market
Phố đi bộ Nguyễn Huệ (fo di bo ngoo-yen hway) – Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh (bow tang chung tik chee-en chan) – War Remnants Museum
Phố Tây Bùi Viện (fo tay bwee vee-en) – Bui Vien Walking Street (backpacker area)
Dinh Độc Lập (din dok lap) – Independence Palace

Useful App-Based Transport Options for 2025

As of 2025, these services dominate Ho Chi Minh City’s transportation landscape:

Service	Vietnamese Name	Best For	Approximate Cost
Grab	Grab	Cars, motorbikes, food delivery	50,000-150,000 VND for most city trips
Be	Be	Cheaper motorbike options	30,000-80,000 VND for most city trips
GoJek	GoJek	Food delivery and transport	40,000-120,000 VND for most city trips
VinBus	VinBus	New electric bus service (eco-friendly)	7,000-15,000 VND per trip

Money-saving Insider Tip #3: The phrase “Có thể trả giá không?” (Can I negotiate the price?) has consistently saved me 20-30% when hiring xe ôm (motorcycle taxis) in areas without internet connection. Just be ready to walk away if they don’t budge!

Shopping and Bargaining Phrases That Will Save You Money

Shopping in HCMC can be a delightful adventure or a frustrating ordeal, depending on your language skills. I once accidentally agreed to pay quadruple the fair price for a silk scarf because I misunderstood the vendor’s counter-offer!

Basic Shopping Vocabulary

Bao nhiêu? (bow nyew) – How much?
Đắt quá (dat qua) – Too expensive
Rẻ hơn được không? (reh hun duoc khom) – Can it be cheaper?
Giảm giá (zam za) – Discount
Tôi lấy cái này (toy lay kai nay) – I’ll take this one
Có size khác không? (co size khak khom) – Do you have another size?
Có màu khác không? (co mao khak khom) – Do you have another color?

The Art of Vietnamese Bargaining

In markets like Bến Thành or Bình Tây, bargaining is expected. Here’s my step-by-step approach that typically results in fair prices:

Start with a friendly “Xin chào” and smile
Show interest but not too much excitement about the item
Ask “Bao nhiêu?” (How much?)
Offer 40-50% of their initial price: “[Your price] được không?” (Is [your price] okay?)
When they counter, look hesitant and say “Đắt quá” (Too expensive)
Make one more counteroffer slightly higher
If they agree, great! If not, you can either accept their last price or say “Cảm ơn” and walk away (often they’ll call you back with a better price)

Last summer, I put these phrases to use at Saigon Square and managed to purchase a North Face backpack for 450,000 VND that was initially offered at 1,200,000 VND. The vendor actually complimented my bargaining skills in Vietnamese!

Numbers in Vietnamese

Understanding numbers is crucial for shopping. Here are the essentials:

Number	Vietnamese	Pronunciation
0	không	khom
1	một	moht
2	hai	hai
3	ba	ba
4	bốn	bohn
5	năm	nahm
10	mười	muoi
20	hai mươi	hai muoi
100	một trăm	moht tram
1,000	một nghìn	moht ngeen
10,000	mười nghìn	muoi ngeen
100,000	một trăm nghìn	moht tram ngeen

A word of caution from experience: Vietnamese currency (đồng) has many zeros. When someone says “hai trăm” (two hundred), they usually mean 200,000 VND, not 200 VND. I once mistakenly handed over 500,000 VND instead of 50,000 VND for a street food meal because I wasn’t paying attention to the zeros!

Emergency and Health-Related Phrases

No one plans to have emergencies while traveling, but being prepared is essential. During my 2022 visit, I experienced a minor motorcycle accident, and knowing basic medical phrases made a significant difference in getting appropriate care.

Medical Emergencies

Cấp cứu! (cap coo) – Emergency!
Gọi xe cấp cứu (goy ze cap coo) – Call an ambulance
Tôi bị đau (toy bee dow) – I am in pain
Tôi cần bác sĩ (toy can back see) – I need a doctor
Tôi bị dị ứng với… (toy bee zee ung voy…) – I’m allergic to…
Tôi cần thuốc (toy can too-ock) – I need medicine
Tôi mất đồ (toy mat doh) – I lost something

Common Health Issues and Remedies

For less serious situations, knowing how to describe common health issues can help you get appropriate over-the-counter medications:

Health Issue	Vietnamese	Common Remedy in Vietnam
Headache	Đau đầu (dow dow)	Paracetamol (available at any pharmacy)
Stomachache	Đau bụng (dow boong)	Tiêu hoá tablets (digestive medicine)
Fever	Sốt (soh-t)	Paracetamol or Ibuprofen
Diarrhea	Tiêu chảy (tee-oh chai)	Smecta or Imodium (ask for “thuốc tiêu chảy”)
Cold/flu	Cảm cúm (gam koom)	Decolgen (common cold medicine)

Recommended Hospitals with English-Speaking Staff

As of 2025, these hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City offer reliable care with English-speaking staff:

FV Hospital – 6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, District 7
Vinmec Central Park International Hospital – 208 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Bình Thạnh
Family Medical Practice – Diamond Plaza, 34 Lê Duẩn, District 1

Sustainability Tip That Saves Money: Instead of buying bottled water, bring a reusable water bottle and ask “Có thể đổ nước uống không?” (Can I refill drinking water?) at restaurants and cafes. Many establishments now have filtered water stations and will happily refill your bottle for free. This has saved me about 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2) daily while reducing plastic waste.

Cultural and Situational Phrases

Understanding Vietnamese cultural norms through language can transform your experience from tourist to temporary local. I’ve found that even simple cultural phrases open doors to authentic experiences that money simply can’t buy.

Respectful Cultural Phrases

Chúc mừng năm mới (chook moong nam moy) – Happy New Year
Chúc sức khỏe (chook sook kho-eh) – Good health (toast when drinking)
Ngon quá (ngon qua) – Very delicious (important compliment when eating)
Xin phép (sin fep) – Excuse me/with your permission

Practical Situational Phrases

These phrases have repeatedly proven useful in specific scenarios:

Chụp hình được không? (choop hin duoc khom) – Can I take a photo?
Tôi không hiểu (toy khom hee-oh) – I don’t understand
Nói chậm lại (noy cham lie) – Please speak more slowly
Viết ra được không? (vee-et ra duoc khom) – Can you write it down?
Tôi là người [your nationality] (toy la nguoi [nationality]) – I am [nationality]
Có ai nói tiếng Anh không? (co ai noy tieng anh khom) – Does anyone speak English?

My Cultural Mistakes (So You Can Avoid Them)

Learning from my cultural faux pas so you don’t have to:

The Pointing Mistake: I used to point at menu items with my index finger, which can be considered rude. Instead, use your whole hand with palm facing down or indicate with your chin. I learned this after a restaurant owner gently corrected me.
The Name Order Confusion: Vietnamese names are typically structured as [Family name] [Middle name] [Given name]. I once called my Vietnamese friend by his family name (Nguyễn) rather than his given name (Minh) for an entire week before he corrected me!
The Shoe Removal Oversight: I once walked into a local’s home without removing my shoes, causing visible discomfort. Always look for shoes at the entrance and ask “Cởi giày được không?” (Should I remove my shoes?) when entering homes.
The Left Hand Taboo: I initially passed items with my left hand, which is considered unclean in Vietnamese culture. Always use your right hand or both hands to give or receive items, especially from elders.

Cultural Insight: In Ho Chi Minh City’s coffee culture, “Một người một thế giới” (one person, one world) is a beautiful saying that captures the Vietnamese perspective on enjoying coffee alone—it’s seen as a meditative, respectable activity rather than a lonely one.

Using Technology to Enhance Your Vietnamese Language Skills

While learning basic phrases is invaluable, technology can bridge the gap when your Vietnamese skills aren’t quite sufficient. During my trips, I’ve tested numerous apps and tools, finding these to be the most effective in real-world situations.

Recommended Language Apps for 2025

App	Best Features	Practical Use
Pimsleur Vietnamese	Excellent pronunciation focus, conversation-based	Practice during flight to Vietnam (offline lessons available)
Google Translate (2025 version)	Improved offline translation, camera translation	Instantly translate menus and signs
Memrise	Video clips of native speakers, situational learning	Learn market and taxi phrases with authentic accents
VieSpeak (new in 2024)	AI-powered pronunciation feedback, Southern Vietnamese accent option	Practice tones accurately for Ho Chi Minh City dialect

Offline Resources When Internet Fails

Vietnam’s internet is generally reliable in urban areas, but having offline resources is crucial for rural day trips or in case of connectivity issues:

Download Google Translate Vietnamese pack before your trip
Save a PDF phrasebook to your phone’s reading app
Create a notes file with essential phrases organized by situation
Learn to draw key characters if pronunciation fails (numbers are especially useful)

During a day trip to the Mekong Delta last year, my phone lost signal completely. Having a small notebook with hand-written essential phrases saved me from missing the last boat back to Ho Chi Minh City!

Tech Tip: The Vietnamese keyboard can be intimidating with its accent marks. Instead, install Telex input on your phone, which allows you to type Vietnamese using regular letters with combinations that transform into proper Vietnamese characters.

Conclusion: Your 5-Step Vietnamese Language Action Plan for 2025

After multiple visits to Ho Chi Minh City and countless language mishaps and triumphs, I’ve distilled my experience into a practical action plan that will transform your Vietnamese travel experience.

Your 5-Step Vietnamese Language Action Plan

Start with the essentials: Learn greetings, numbers 1-10, and “thank you” before arrival. Practice these daily for two weeks before your trip using audio resources for proper pronunciation.
Create situation-specific cheat sheets: Prepare three separate lists for restaurant phrases, transportation phrases, and shopping phrases. Store these in your phone’s notes app for quick access.
Practice with native speakers: Schedule at least one online session with a Vietnamese tutor through iTalki focused specifically on travel phrases and proper tones.
Build a daily practice routine in Vietnam: Challenge yourself to learn and use one new phrase each day of your trip. Record your successes and failures in a travel journal.
Immerse through pairing: Match each phrase learning session with Vietnamese cultural content—listen to Vietnamese music while practicing greetings, watch Vietnamese street food videos while learning food phrases, etc.

Remember that Vietnamese people are incredibly appreciative of foreigners making an effort to speak their language. Even with imperfect pronunciation, your attempts will be met with enthusiasm and often lead to more authentic, rewarding experiences.

The sounds, tones, and structure of Vietnamese may seem challenging at first, but the cultural doors that open with even basic language skills make it one of the most valuable investments for your travel experience. As we say in Vietnamese: “Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn” – A day of traveling offers a basket of wisdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really worth learning Vietnamese for a short trip?

Absolutely! Even learning 10-15 key phrases can transform your experience. During my first trip when I spoke zero Vietnamese, I paid approximately 30% more for everything and missed out on local recommendations. By my third visit with basic language skills, I was invited to family meals, discovered hidden local spots, and saved significantly on purchases.

Should I learn Northern or Southern Vietnamese dialect for Ho Chi Minh City?

For Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), focus on Southern Vietnamese dialect. While most language resources teach the Northern dialect (Hanoi), there are significant pronunciation differences. In Southern Vietnamese, the ‘đ’ is softer, and certain consonants like ‘v’ and ‘gi’ are pronounced differently. Look specifically for Southern Vietnamese learning resources if possible.

How do I handle the six tones in Vietnamese?

Start by mastering just three tones: level (no mark), rising (á), and falling (à). These cover most essential travel phrases. Practice by recording yourself and comparing to native audio. Don’t try to perfect all six tones before your trip—it’s better to know more phrases with decent pronunciation than fewer phrases with perfect tones.

What’s the best way to practice Vietnamese pronunciation?

Recording and playback is the most effective method I’ve found. Record a native speaker saying a phrase (from apps, YouTube, or language exchanges), then record yourself repeating it, and compare. Focus on the melody of the language rather than individual sounds. Vietnamese is very rhythmic, almost musical in nature.

How do Vietnamese people react to foreigners speaking their language?

In my experience, with genuine enthusiasm and appreciation! Unlike some countries where locals might switch to English, Vietnamese people typically continue the conversation in Vietnamese, encouraging your efforts. They’re also generally patient with mistakes and willing to help you improve. This makes Vietnam an ideal place to practice a new language.

Can I get by in Ho Chi Minh City with just English?

While you can survive with English in tourist areas, major hotels, and upscale restaurants, you’ll miss out on authentic experiences and likely pay higher prices. In 2025, English proficiency has improved in Vietnam, but outside District 1 and tourist zones, it’s still limited. Basic Vietnamese phrases will significantly enhance your experience and open doors to authentic interactions.

What are the most common mistakes foreigners make when speaking Vietnamese?

Based on my observations and personal blunders, the most common mistakes include incorrect tones (changing the meaning entirely), incorrect word order (Vietnamese uses subject-verb-object like English, but modifiers come after the noun), and using impolite forms of address. Also, many travelers struggle with the ‘ng’ sound at the beginning of words and the difference between ‘tr’ and ‘ch’ sounds.

How can I practice Vietnamese before my trip?

Beyond apps, I recommend watching Vietnamese YouTube channels with subtitles, joining language exchange platforms like Tandem to practice with natives, and listening to Vietnamese podcasts for beginners like “Vietnamese Pod 101.” Additionally, many Vietnamese restaurants in your home country may have staff happy to help you practice basics while ordering.