The Most Useful Vietnamese Phrases That Expats in Vietnam Should Know

Essential Vietnamese for Daily Life, Work, and Social Situations

Moving to Vietnam is an exciting adventure filled with new culture, food, and friendships. But let’s be honest - the language can feel like a big challenge. The good news? You don’t need to be fluent to get by. Just learning a few essential Vietnamese phrases can dramatically improve your experience, help you connect with locals, and navigate daily life with confidence.

Whether you're living in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, these are the most useful Vietnamese phrases for expats in Vietnam divided into real-life categories to help you survive and thrive.

💬 Basic Vietnamese Greetings & Manners

Start every interaction with a smile and a polite word.

• Xin chào – Hello
• Chào anh / chị / em / cô / chú – Hello [depending on age & gender, see note below]
• Cảm ơn – Thank you
• Không có gì – You’re welcome / No worries
• Xin lỗi – Sorry
• Vâng / Dạ – Yes (formal/polite)
• Không – No

* Note: In Vietnamese, greetings change depending on the age and gender of the person you're talking to. If someone is older than you, say “anh” (older man) or “chị” (older woman). If they’re younger, use “em”.

🍜 Ordering Food & Drinks

Eating out is a big part of life in Vietnam. These phrases will help:

• Cho tôi một phở bò – I’d like one beef phở
• Một cà phê sữa đá – One iced coffee with milk
• Không đường / Không đá – No sugar / No ice
• Em ơi, tính tiền – Can I have the bill, please?
• Ngon quá! – So delicious!
• Có món chay không? – Do you have vegetarian dishes?

🚕 Getting Around

Use these when taking taxis or asking for directions:

• Đi đến… – Go to…
• Rẽ trái / Rẽ phải – Turn left / Turn right
• Dừng lại ở đây – Stop here
• Bao nhiêu tiền? – How much is it?
• Gần / Xa – Near / Far
• Sân bay / Nhà ga / Bến xe – Airport / Train station / Bus station

🛍️ Shopping & Markets

Bargaining is common in Vietnamese markets, so a few phrases go a long way:

• Cái này bao nhiêu tiền? – How much is this?
• Giảm giá được không? – Can you lower the price?
• Đắt quá! – Too expensive!
• Rẻ quá! – So cheap!
• Tôi chỉ xem thôi – I’m just looking

🏡 Everyday Life: At Home or Office

Talking with your landlord, coworkers, or neighbors?

• Tôi không hiểu – I don’t understand
• Bạn có thể nói chậm hơn không? – Can you speak more slowly?
• Tôi đang học tiếng Việt – I’m learning Vietnamese
• Tôi cần giúp đỡ – I need help
• Không sao – It’s okay / No problem

🆘 Emergency & Safety

It’s always good to know how to ask for help:

• Cứu tôi! – Help me!
• Gọi công an! – Call the police!
• Tôi bị mất ví / điện thoại – I lost my wallet / phone
• Tôi bị ốm / đau bụng – I’m sick / I have a stomachache
• Bệnh viện / Nhà thuốc – Hospital / Pharmacy

💡 Pro Tips to Sound Natural

• Use “ạ” at the end of a sentence to sound more polite. Example: “Cảm ơn ạ.”
• Smile when you speak – it helps with tone and friendliness.
• Learn how to address people based on age – it’s a cultural key to showing respect in Vietnam.

🎓 Want to Speak Vietnamese with Confidence?

You don’t have to do it alone. At iSpeak Vietlingo, we help expats speak Vietnamese naturally - with real-life topics, flexible lessons, and our beginner-friendly textbooks: Vietnamese with Ease 1 & 2.

👉 Book a Free Trial Lesson