How to Use Vietnamese at Work: Tips for Expats in Vietnam

Working in Vietnam can be exciting and rewarding but if you want to build trust with colleagues and make a great impression, speaking even a little Vietnamese at work can go a long way. From greeting your boss to chatting with your co-workers at lunch, knowing the right words and phrases makes daily communication smoother and shows respect for Vietnamese culture. In this guide, we’ll share essential vocabulary, useful expressions, and real-life scenarios so you can confidently use Vietnamese in professional settings.

1. Vietnamese for Business Meetings

In formal meetings, greetings and politeness are key. Vietnamese workplaces value respect and hierarchy, so how you address people matters.

Common Phrases:

• Xin chào + [title/name] – Hello, [title/name]
• Rất vui được gặp anh/chị – Nice to meet you
• Chúng ta bắt đầu nhé – Let’s get started
• Anh/chị có thể nhắc lại được không? – Could you repeat that, please?
• Cảm ơn anh/chị đã chia sẻ – Thank you for sharing

Scenario: You walk into a weekly team meeting and greet your manager:
"Xin chào anh Nam, rất vui được gặp lại anh." (Hello Mr. Nam, nice to see you again.)
This small touch can make your Vietnamese colleagues smile — and it’s a sign you’re making the effort.

2. Making Small Talk with Colleagues

Small talk in Vietnam often revolves around family, food, and the weather. This is your chance to connect on a personal level.

Common Phrases:

• Hôm nay thời tiết đẹp quá – The weather is nice today
• Anh/chị đã ăn trưa chưa? – Have you had lunch yet?
• Cuối tuần anh/chị làm gì? – What are you doing this weekend?
• Anh/chị sống ở đâu? – Where do you live?

Scenario: At lunch, your colleague asks if you like Vietnamese food. You reply:
"Tôi thích phở và bún chả, rất ngon!" (I like pho and bun cha, very delicious!)
This can spark longer conversations and even lunch invitations.

3. Presenting in Vietnamese

Even if your presentation is in English, opening and closing in Vietnamese shows effort and respect.

Common Phrases:

• Hôm nay tôi xin trình bày về… – Today I will present about…
• Cảm ơn anh chị đã lắng nghe – Thank you for listening
• Mong nhận được câu hỏi hoặc ý kiến – I welcome your questions or feedback

Scenario: You start your quarterly report in English but open with: "Xin chào anh chị, hôm nay tôi xin trình bày về kết quả quý vừa qua." (Hello everyone, today I will present about last quarter’s results.)
It instantly captures attention and earns respect.

4. Cultural Tips for Using Vietnamese at Work

• Hierarchy matters: Use anh/chị for equals, sếp for boss (informal), and ông/bà for older people.
• Politeness counts: Add ạ at the end for extra politeness.
• Listen to how others speak: Copy the tone and formality level.
• Mix English and Vietnamese: It’s fine to use English for complex ideas but keep greetings and thanks in Vietnamese.

5. Quick Vocabulary List: Vietnamese for the Office

Speaking Vietnamese at work doesn’t mean you have to be fluent overnight. Start with greetings, small talk, and key workplace phrases — and use them daily. Over time, you’ll notice warmer interactions, smoother communication, and more opportunities to connect.

If you want personalized lessons for professional Vietnamese, iSpeak Vietlingo offers customized business Vietnamese courses for expats in Vietnam.

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