Simplest Phrases

At the very minimum it is important to at least know how to say 'Hello' and 'Thank you' - it takes moments to learn yet can make a big impression, as you will already know more than 90% of travellers arriving in Vietnam

 

Hello	Xin chào
Goodbye	Tạm biệt
Thank You	Cám ơn

 





I am sorry	Xin lỗi
No problem.	Không sao

 

 

Addressing people

For Vietnamese people it is important to use the correct form of address than signifies your age and relationship to the person you are speaking to. In general, when talking to someone younger than you you may call them 'Em', or if you think you are younger than them you may call yourself 'Em' and use a range of pronouns based on the other person's gender and age.

 

As a traveller however it is acceptable to 'cheat' and use a generic 'Tôi' for 'I' and 'Ban' for 'Friend', rather than finding the correct form of address - this is not disrespectful and will help you make yourself understood.

 

I, me	Tôi
I am	Tôi là
You	Bạn
She, her	Cô ấy
He, him	Anh ấy
They, them	Họ
We, us	Chúng ta
It	Nó

Basic Vocabulary

You may find some of the following vocabulary useful for forming simple sentences: