Saying Thank You in Vietnamese

How to say thank you in Vietnamese, plus sorry, excuse me, and polite replies.

Learn the phrases

Visitor thanking a café server in Vietnam

Phonetic hints are rough English-friendly cues, not IPA. Use audio and the written Vietnamese alongside them.

Say thank you simply

Start with these Vietnamese thanks; they fit almost every situation.

Cảm ơn.

Approx. pronunciation: gahm uhn

Thank you.

Cảm ơn bạn.

Approx. pronunciation: gahm uhn ban

Thank you. (warm, personal)

Cảm ơn nhiều.

Approx. pronunciation: gahm uhn nyoo

Thank you very much.

Cảm ơn ạ.

Approx. pronunciation: gahm uhn ah

Thank you. (respectful)

Answer thanks gracefully

Knowing the reply keeps a polite exchange from ending awkwardly.

Answer thanks with Không có gì, “You are welcome,” or Dạ, không có gì for extra warmth. A smile and a nod carry as much weight as the words, especially in quick shop and café exchanges.

Notice how staff reply to you and borrow their phrasing.

Apologize and get attention politely

One flexible Vietnamese word covers sorry, excuse me, and polite interruptions.

Xin lỗi.

Approx. pronunciation: sin loy

Sorry. / Excuse me.

Xin lỗi, cho tôi hỏi.

Approx. pronunciation: sin loy, chaw toy hoy

Excuse me, may I ask something?

Làm ơn.

Approx. pronunciation: lahm uhn

Please. (before a request)

Xin lỗi nhé.

Approx. pronunciation: sin loy nyeh

Sorry about that. (gentle)

Thank a server in Vietnamese

Use thanks at the start, middle, and end of a small purchase.

Customer thanking a vendor at a Vietnamese counter

You Xin lỗi, cho tôi một cà phê sữa đá. Excuse me, one iced milk coffee please.

Server Dạ, một cà phê sữa đá. Yes, one iced milk coffee.

You Cảm ơn bạn. Thank you.

Server Không có gì ạ. You are welcome.

Soften requests politely

Two small Vietnamese words make any request sound kinder.

Add ạ to the end of a sentence for respectful softness, and answer with Dạ to show warm attention, especially with older people and in service settings. Neither word fixes a rude tone on its own, so keep your voice calm and unhurried.