💡 Just say it loud: Even mispronounced, "cứu tôi" (kyew toy) is universally understood as a distress call. Volume and urgency communicate across language barriers.
⚠️ Safety Phrases
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
Danger!
Nguy hiểm!
ngwee hyem
Be careful!
Cẩn thận!
kun thun
Stop!
Dừng lại!
yung lie
I was robbed
Tôi bị cướp
toy bee kyuh-up
I lost my things
Tôi bị mất đồ
toy bee mut doh
I was in an accident
Tôi bị tai nạn
toy bee tie nan
I'm injured
Tôi bị thương
toy bee thuh-ung
💡 Bag snatching: The most common theft in Saigon is motorbike bag snatching. Carry bags away from the road side and keep your phone in your pocket while walking. If robbed, go directly to the nearest police station — you'll need a report for insurance.
🏥 Medical Places
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
Hospital
bệnh viện
beng vyen
Clinic / doctor's office
phòng khám
fawng kahm
Pharmacy / drugstore
nhà thuốc
nyah thoo-uk
Emergency room
cấp cứu
kup kyew
Medical station
trạm y tế
chahm ee teh
💡 International hospitals in Vietnam: FV Hospital and Vinmec in Saigon · Vinmec and French Hospital in Hanoi. These have English-speaking staff and Western-standard care. Save the address before you travel.
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The pattern for all health complaints:Tôi bị... (toy bee) = "I have / I am suffering from..."
Learn this structure and you can describe almost any symptom just by adding the condition.
🤒 General Symptoms
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
I feel sick
Tôi bị bệnh
toy bee beng
I'm in pain / it hurts
Tôi bị đau
toy bee dow
I have a headache
Tôi bị đau đầu
toy bee dow doh
I have a stomachache
Tôi bị đau bụng
toy bee dow boong
I have a fever
Tôi bị sốt
toy bee soht
I feel dizzy
Tôi bị chóng mặt
toy bee chawng mut
I feel nauseous
Tôi bị buồn nôn
toy bee boo-uhn nohn
I'm vomiting
Tôi bị nôn
toy bee nohn
I'm tired / exhausted
Tôi mệt
toy met
🤧 More Symptoms
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
I have a cold / flu
Tôi bị cảm
toy bee kahm
I have a cough
Tôi bị ho
toy bee haw
I have a sore throat
Tôi bị đau họng
toy bee dow hawng
I have a runny nose
Tôi bị sổ mũi
toy bee shoh moo-ee
I have chills
Tôi bị ớn lạnh
toy bee uhn lahn
I have diarrhea
Tôi bị tiêu chảy
toy bee tyew chay
I have constipation
Tôi bị táo bón
toy bee tow bawn
I'm bleeding
Tôi đang chảy máu
toy dang chay mow
I broke a bone
Tôi bị gãy xương
toy bee gay syuh-ung
I sprained it
Tôi bị bong gân
toy bee bawng gun
I have a burn
Tôi bị bỏng
toy bee bawng
💡 Traveler's diarrhea is the most common health issue in Vietnam. Stay hydrated, carry oral rehydration salts, and know where the nearest nhà thuốc (pharmacy) is. Most remedies are available over the counter.
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💡 Pointing works: Pointing to the body part while saying it is perfectly acceptable and often clearer than speaking alone. Combine both for the best result at a clinic or pharmacy.
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💡 Write it down: Before your trip, write your allergies and medical conditions in Vietnamese on a card. Show it at any clinic or pharmacy — much faster and more accurate than speaking.
💊 At the Pharmacy
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
I need this medicine
Tôi cần thuốc này
toy kun thoo-uk nay
I need medicine for...
Tôi cần thuốc cho...
toy kun thoo-uk chaw
How do I take this medicine?
Thuốc này dùng như thế nào?
thoo-uk nay yoong nyuh theh now
How many pills per dose?
Uống mấy viên?
oo-ung may vyen
How many times per day?
Uống mấy lần một ngày?
oo-ung may lun moht ngay
Before or after eating?
Uống trước hay sau ăn?
oo-ung chuh-uk hay sow un
Take with water
Uống với nước
oo-ung vuh-ee nyuhk
How much does it cost?
Thuốc này bao nhiêu?
thoo-uk nay bow nyew
Do you have something else?
Có thuốc khác không?
kaw thoo-uk khahk khome
💡 Vietnamese pharmacies (nhà thuốc) are everywhere — look for the green cross sign. Many medicines available by prescription in Western countries can be bought over the counter. Bring your medication name written in English; staff will usually recognize brand names.
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