💡 North vs South: Use Dạ in Saigon and southern Vietnam, Vâng in Hanoi and the north. Either works anywhere — locals will appreciate the effort regardless.
🗣️ Useful Filler Phrases
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
OK / Alright
Được
duh-uk
No problem
Không sao
khome sow
Really?
Thật không?
thut khome
I know
Tôi biết
toy byet
I don't know
Tôi không biết
toy khome byet
Maybe
Có thể
kaw theh
Of course
Tất nhiên
tut nyen
Same same
Như nhau
nyuh nyow
💡 "Được" (duh-uk) is one of the most versatile words in Vietnamese. It means OK, alright, can, possible, and done — you'll hear it dozens of times a day.
🧠 The Key to Vietnamese — Pronouns
In Vietnamese, how you address someone depends on their age relative to yours. This is the single most important thing to understand about Vietnamese communication. Once you get this, everything else clicks.
The Core Rule: Vietnamese doesn't use "I" and "you" the way English does.
Instead, you use relationship words that show your relative age and status.
Older than you: You call them anh (older brother) or chị (older sister) and refer to yourself as em (younger sibling) Same age or younger: Use bạn (friend) for "you" and tôi for "I"
The Pronoun Table
Word
Pronunciation
Means
Use When
tôi
toy
I / me
Neutral — works in most situations
bạn
bahn
you (friend)
Talking to someone roughly your age
anh
anh
you (older male)
Addressing a man older than you
chị
chee
you (older female)
Addressing a woman older than you
em
em
I (when speaking to elders)
When talking UP to someone older
chú
choo
you (uncle-aged male)
Man clearly older — your dad's age
cô
koh
you (aunt-aged female)
Woman clearly older — your mum's age
ông
ome
you (grandfather-aged)
Elderly man — very respectful
bà
bah
you (grandmother-aged)
Elderly woman — very respectful
💡 Don't overthink it: As a foreigner, just using tôi / bạn is totally fine. Locals will be impressed. The nuanced pronoun system is bonus knowledge — not a requirement.
Pronoun in Action
Talking to a waiter (older male)
❌ Bạn ơi, cho tôi... (too casual)
✅ Anh ơi, cho em... (natural, respectful) "anh oy, chaw em" = "Hey (older bro), give me..."
💡 Magic phrase: Just saying "Xin lỗi" (sin loy) with a smile gets attention and signals you need help. Most locals will try to assist even if they don't speak English.
🗺️ Directions
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
Where is...?
...ở đâu?
uh doh
Turn left
Rẽ trái
reh chai
Turn right
Rẽ phải
reh fai
Go straight
Đi thẳng
dee tung
Turn around / Go back
Quay lại
kway lie
Near
Gần
gun
Far
Xa
sah
How far?
Bao xa?
bow sah
How long? (time)
Bao lâu?
bow loh
Stop here
Dừng ở đây
yung uh day
💡 Grab tip: When your Grab driver can't find you, just say "Dừng ở đây" (yung uh day — stop here) or point and say "Đây này" (day nay — right here).
🍜 Ordering Food & Drink
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
I want to order
Tôi muốn gọi món
toy moo-uhn goy mawn
Give me one of these
Cho tôi một cái này
chaw toy mot kai nay
The bill please
Tính tiền đi
ting tyen dee
Delicious!
Ngon lắm!
ngawn lahm
Too spicy
Cay quá
kay kwah
Not spicy
Không cay
khome kay
No ice
Không đá
khome dah
Less ice
Ít đá
it dah
No sugar
Không đường
khome duh-ung
More please
Thêm nữa đi
tem nyuh dee
💡 Street food ordering hack: Point at what you want and hold up fingers for quantity. Then add "Không đá" or "Không cay" as needed. That's 90% of ordering covered.
🛍️ Shopping & Bargaining
English
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
How much?
Bao nhiêu tiền?
bow nyew tyen
Too expensive!
Đắt quá!
dat kwah
Give me a better price
Bớt giá đi
buht yah dee
I'll buy it
Tôi mua
toy moo-ah
I'm just looking
Tôi chỉ xem thôi
toy chee sem thoy
I don't want it
Tôi không muốn
toy khome moo-uhn
Do you have...?
Bạn có... không?
bahn kaw... khome
Cheaper please
Rẻ hơn được không?
reh huhn duh-uk khome
💡 Bargaining script: Say "Đắt quá!" and start walking away. The vendor will call you back with a lower price. This works at Ben Thanh market, Hoi An, and most tourist markets. Don't bargain in shops with price tags.
🎯 Quick Reference — Phrases That Matter Most
Learn these first. They cover 80% of daily conversation situations.
Xin chàosin chowHello
Cảm ơncahm uhnThank you
Xin lỗisin loySorry / Excuse me
Không có gìkhome kaw yeeYou're welcome
Tôi không hiểutoy khome hyewI don't understand
Nói chậm hơnnoy chum huhnSpeak more slowly
Bao nhiêu tiền?bow nyew tyenHow much?
Đắt quá!dat kwahToo expensive!
Ngon lắm!ngawn lahmDelicious!
Không caykhome kayNot spicy
Tạm biệttahm byetGoodbye
DạyahYes (polite)
✅ Ready to Test Yourself?
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