Xin chào ạ.
Approx. pronunciation: sin chow ah
Hello. (polite)
Meet the market with respect.
Vietnamese for Markets
Ask about produce and goods, discuss a price politely, and leave a good impression whether you buy or not.
Start the lesson
Greet and ask to look
A greeting makes a busy market exchange warmer. The phonetic hints are approximate cues for learners and leave out the tones that carry meaning in Vietnamese.
Cho tôi xem cái này với ạ.
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy sem kai nay voy ah
Please let me see this one.
Cái này là gì ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: guy nay la zee ah
What is this item?
Ask about price and quantity
Vietnamese markets often sell by a unit, weight, bunch, or piece. Ask which unit the quoted price uses before deciding.
Bao nhiêu tiền một ký ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: bow nyew tee-en moht kee ah
How much is it per kilogram?
Một phần bao nhiêu ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: moht fun bow nyew ah
How much is one portion?
Cho tôi nửa ký ạ.
Approx. pronunciation: chaw toy noo-ah kee ah
Half a kilogram, please.
Bargain without making it personal
In places where bargaining is part of the exchange, keep the question light and accept the answer gracefully.
“Bớt chút được không ạ?” means “Could you lower it a little?” You can also ask “Giá cuối cùng là bao nhiêu ạ?” (“What is the final price?”). These are requests, not guarantees that the price will change.
If the price is not right, say “Cảm ơn, tôi xem thêm đã ạ” (“Thank you, I will look around a little more”). Avoid pretending to buy just to negotiate; a clear “Tôi không lấy ạ” is kinder than leaving confusion.
Choose fruit at a stall
This example keeps the quantity and price questions separate so the unit is clear before you buy.
You Chào cô. Xoài này bao nhiêu tiền một ký ạ? Hello. How much is this mango per kilogram?
Vendor Giá là … một ký. Bạn lấy bao nhiêu? The price is … per kilogram. How much would you like?
You Cho tôi nửa ký, chọn giúp tôi quả chín vừa nhé. Half a kilogram, please; please choose fruit that is moderately ripe.
Ask about freshness and packing
For food or delicate goods, ask how the item is prepared or packed instead of assuming.
Cái này có tươi không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: kai nay kaw tyooy khom ah
Is this fresh?
Bạn gói giúp tôi được không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: ban goy zoop toy duck khom ah
Could you wrap this for me?
Tôi mang đi được không ạ?
Approx. pronunciation: toy mang dee duck khom ah
Can I take this to go?
Address a vendor naturally
Vietnamese uses relationship words as pronouns, so notice how other shoppers address the vendor.
“Cô” can address a woman who is roughly your parent’s age, and “chú” can address a man of a similar generation. “Chị” and “anh” are common for somewhat older adults. These are practical approximations, not fixed rules; “Xin lỗi” plus your question is fine if you are unsure.
In the south, “dạ” is especially common as a polite response; in the north, you may hear “vâng” more often. Both regions understand “Cảm ơn” and “ạ”, so focus on being clear and courteous.