Việt Connect › Vietnamese phrases
Essential Vietnamese phrases for travel, with tones and English
Learn the Vietnamese you will actually use on a trip: polite words, ordering food, shopping, getting around and what to say in an emergency.
Greetings and polite words
Use these everywhere. Adding ạ at the end of a sentence makes it more respectful.
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Xin chào | Hello |
| Cảm ơn | Thank you |
| Không có gì | You’re welcome |
| Xin lỗi | Sorry / Excuse me |
| Làm ơn | Please |
| Dạ / Vâng | Yes (polite) |
| Không, cảm ơn | No, thank you |
| Không sao đâu | It’s okay / No worries |
| Tôi tên là… | My name is… |
| Xin lỗi, tôi không hiểu. | Sorry, I don’t understand. |
| Rất vui được gặp bạn. | Nice to meet you. |
| Tạm biệt | Goodbye |
Eating and drinking
Food is the easiest place to practise: you will use these every day.
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Cho tôi xin thực đơn | May I have the menu? |
| Tôi muốn gọi món | I’d like to order |
| Món này có cay không? | Is this spicy? |
| Không cay nhé | Not spicy, please |
| Một ly nước lọc | A glass of water |
| Cho tôi một ly cà phê. | One coffee, please. |
| Không đá | No ice |
| Ít đường thôi | Less sugar, please |
| Có món chay không? | Do you have vegetarian food? |
| Bạn gợi ý món gì? | What do you recommend? |
| Ngon quá! | So delicious! |
| Tính tiền | The bill, please |
Shopping and money
Markets often expect a little friendly bargaining.
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Giá bao nhiêu? | How much is it? |
| Tôi chỉ xem thôi | I’m just looking |
| Cái này đắt quá | This is too expensive |
| Bớt chút được không? | Can you go a little lower? |
| Có giảm giá không? | Is there a discount? |
| Tôi lấy cái này | I’ll take this one |
| Có nhận thẻ không? | Do you take cards? |
| Chuyển khoản được không? | Can I pay by bank transfer? |
| Có cỡ lớn hơn không? | Do you have a bigger size? |
| Tôi muốn thử cái này | I’d like to try this on |
Getting around
Say these to drivers, at bus stops or when you are lost.
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Cho tôi xuống đây | Let me off here |
| Chỉ đường giúp tôi được không? | Can you give me directions? |
| Có xa không? | Is it far? |
| Đi bộ được không? | Can I walk there? |
| Cho tôi đến địa chỉ này | Take me to this address |
| Bao nhiêu tiền tới sân bay? | How much to the airport? |
| Xe này có đi Hội An không? | Does this bus go to Hội An? |
| Tôi muốn thuê xe máy | I want to rent a motorbike |
| Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái | Go straight, then turn left |
| Chạy chậm thôi nhé | Please slow down a bit |
Health and emergencies
Learn these before you need them.
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Cứu tôi với! | Help me! |
| Gọi cảnh sát | Call the police |
| Gọi xe cấp cứu giúp tôi! | Please call an ambulance! |
| Tôi cần bác sĩ | I need a doctor |
| Bệnh viện gần nhất ở đâu? | Where is the nearest hospital? |
| Hiệu thuốc gần nhất ở đâu? | Where is the nearest pharmacy? |
| Tôi bị đau bụng | My stomach hurts |
| Tôi bị sốt | I have a fever |
| Tôi bị mất hộ chiếu | I lost my passport |
| Tôi bị lạc đường | I’m lost |
Hear them, practise them, keep them
Reading a phrase is only the start. In Việt Connect every phrase has native audio, a slower playback option and a one-tap button to add it to your flashcards, so you can hear the tones and review the phrases you need most. Browse hundreds more in the Survival section, grouped by situation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say thank you in Vietnamese?
Say “Cảm ơn” (thank you). To be more polite add “bạn” or “ạ”, for example “Cảm ơn bạn” or “Cảm ơn ạ”. The reply “Không có gì” means you’re welcome.
How do I say hello in Vietnamese?
“Xin chào” is a polite hello for anyone. Among friends people often say “Chào bạn”. Vietnamese greetings also change with age and relationship, which the app explains.
Are these phrases the same all over Vietnam?
Most are understood everywhere. Some everyday words differ between North, Centre and South, and the pronunciation of tones differs too. Pick your accent in Việt Connect to see and hear the version you want.
How can I practise pronouncing them?
Listen to the audio, copy it out loud, then compare your pitch with a native recording in the Tone Trainer. Short daily practice works better than long occasional sessions.