Xin chào.
Approx. pronunciation: sin chow
Hello.
Carry a small conversation toolkit.
Essential Vietnamese Phrases
Learn the phrases that help you greet people, order simply, find your way, and keep asking when you miss a word.
Learn the essential phrases
Greet and introduce yourself
Use a simple greeting first, then give your name without trying to build a complicated sentence.
Tôi tên là Mai.
Approx. pronunciation: toy ten lah my
My name is Mai.
Rất vui được gặp bạn.
Approx. pronunciation: rut voo-ee duhk gap ban
Nice to meet you.
Bạn tên là gì?
Approx. pronunciation: ban ten lah zee
What is your name?
Be thankful and polite
Courtesy words make a short exchange warmer and give you time to think.
Cảm ơn means thank you, Không có gì means you are welcome, and Xin lỗi can mean sorry or excuse me. Use the full phrase first; you can shorten it only after you have heard how people around you speak.
Dạ is a respectful response that is especially common in Southern Vietnamese, while ạ often softens the end of a sentence. Neither is a magic politeness button: your pronoun choice, voice, and relationship with the listener matter too.
Order one simple drink
Read this café exchange as a frame: change the drink, quantity, and final courtesy word as needed.
You Cho tôi một cà phê sữa đá. Please give me one iced milk coffee.
Server Dùng tại đây hay mang đi ạ? Are you having it here or taking it away? (polite service question)
You Tôi dùng tại đây. Cảm ơn. I’ll have it here. Thank you.
Server Dạ, một cà phê sữa đá. Okay, one iced milk coffee.
Ask for help and directions
These questions are short enough to show on your phone if the conversation moves faster than your listening.
Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
Approx. pronunciation: nya vay sing uh dow
Where is the restroom?
Ga tàu ở đâu?
Approx. pronunciation: gah tow uh dow
Where is the train station?
Bạn có thể giúp tôi không?
Approx. pronunciation: ban gaw tay zoop toy khong
Could you help me?
Tôi chưa hiểu.
Approx. pronunciation: toy chu-ah hee-oo
I do not understand yet.
Choose pronouns with care
A phrase can be grammatically simple and still need a relationship choice.
Tôi is a safe neutral starting point for I, while mình can sound friendlier among people who feel equal or familiar. Vietnamese speakers often use family terms such as anh, chị, cô, chú, and em instead of English-style pronouns. They reflect age, relationship, and setting, so listen to how the other person addresses you before copying the choice.
The phonetic field beside each phrase is only a rough English-friendly hint. It is not IPA, it does not show all six tone categories, and it can hide regional differences. Keep the Vietnamese spelling visible and learn each phrase with audio when possible.
Close the interaction warmly
End clearly so the other person knows whether you are leaving, agreeing, or simply thanking them.
Hẹn gặp lại.
Approx. pronunciation: hen gap lie
See you again.
Chúc bạn một ngày tốt lành.
Approx. pronunciation: chook ban moot ngay toht lanh
Have a good day.
Tạm biệt.
Approx. pronunciation: tam beet
Goodbye.
Được rồi, cảm ơn bạn.
Approx. pronunciation: duh-uk roy, gahm uhn ban
All right, thank you.