IntroVietnamese
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Vietnamese for Grab and Taxis

Vietnamese phrases for Grab and taxi rides, from pickup to payment.

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Traveler confirming a pickup car at a Vietnamese curb

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

Confirm the right car

Use short, polite questions before getting in.

Cho tôi hỏi, đây có phải xe tôi đặt không ạ?

Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy hoy, day kaw fy say toy dat khom ah

Excuse me, is this the car I booked?

Biển số xe là số này, đúng không ạ?

Approx. pronunciation: bee-en soh say la soh nay, doong khom ah

The license plate is this number, correct?

Tôi đang đứng ở cổng số hai ạ.

Approx. pronunciation: toy dang doong uh kohng soh high ah

I am standing at gate number two.

Give your destination in Vietnamese

Show the destination on your phone, then say it aloud in Vietnamese so the driver can confirm it.

Traveler confirming a destination with a driver

Cho tôi đến địa chỉ này ạ.

Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy den dee-ah chee nay ah

Please take me to this address.

Địa chỉ này có đúng không ạ?

Approx. pronunciation: dee-ah chee nay kaw doong khom ah

Is this address correct?

Tôi muốn xuống ở đây ạ.

Approx. pronunciation: toy moon suhng uh day ah

I would like to get out here.

Make the pickup easier

Large buildings and busy streets can have several entrances, so name a visible landmark or entrance when you can.

“Cổng” means gate or entrance, “sảnh” means lobby, and “bãi đỗ xe” means parking area. “Tôi đang ở sảnh chính” means “I am at the main lobby.”

A respectful “anh” or “chị” is common when addressing an adult driver. Choose the form that fits the person rather than saying both. In some southern speech, “hông?” may replace “không?” in a casual question, but learners can use standard “không?” clearly and politely.

Confirm a pickup point

Use this exchange when you and the driver are near each other but not in the same spot.

You Tôi đang ở cửa chính của khách sạn. Xe đang ở đâu ạ? I am at the hotel’s main entrance. Where is the car?

Driver Tôi đang ở bên trái sảnh ạ. I am on the left side of the lobby.

You Tôi nhìn thấy xe rồi. Tôi ra ngay ạ. I can see the car. I am coming out now.

Ask about the ride and payment

Keep fare questions neutral. Use the meter request only in a metered taxi; for Grab, confirm the fare and destination in the app.

Mất khoảng bao lâu ạ?

Approx. pronunciation: mut kwang bow low ah

About how long will it take?

Tổng cộng bao nhiêu tiền ạ?

Approx. pronunciation: tohm kohng bow nyew tee-en ah

How much is the total?

Vui lòng bật đồng hồ tính tiền ạ.

Approx. pronunciation: vooy long but dong ho ting tee-en ah

Could you turn on the meter, please?

End the ride courteously

A simple thank-you and a clear destination check keep the final moment easy.

“Đến nơi chưa ạ?” asks “Have we arrived yet?” and “Đúng địa chỉ này rồi ạ?” asks “Is this the correct address?” Use the map on your phone as a second check rather than relying on a phrase alone.

Say “Cảm ơn ạ” when you leave. If you need to ask the driver to stop, “Cho tôi xuống ở đây được không ạ?” is a polite request, not a demand.

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