How to Speak Basic Vietnamese During Your Holiday in Vietnam

If you are planning to enjoy an authentic holiday in Vietnam, experiencing the exotic country like a local, knowing a few phrases in Vietnamese will make a huge difference. While English is spoken prevalently in the capital and major tourist hubs, there are times you will find yourself in a quandary trying to communicate with gestures and signs. Which is why in this article you will learn how to speak basic Vietnamese and enjoy the experience.

Image by LOC TRAN from Pixabay 

1. The Basic Etiquette When Travelling In Vietnam

As you travel and explore the country, the first thing you will realise is the calm quiet nature of the Vietnamese people. They do not talk in loud tones and are very polite. Keep in mind that a smile will earn you extra rewards and politeness and respect towards others will be much appreciated. Hence, a non-boisterous quiet and respectful manner will help you interact well.

Knowing a few sayings in Vietnamese will be an asset, especially, if you plan to visit beautiful places such a Mui Ne. The lovely coastal town is home to traditional fisher villages where one can experience the simple lifestyles of these locals. While Mui Ne is laidback and traditional the place is also popular for its red and white sand dunes, as well as, thrills of kite surfing. Which means you will spend a considerable amount of time outdoors exploring and interacting with the locals.

If you plan to book the best resort Mui Ne has to offer, look for one that offers a range of leisure experiences both within and outside the resort. Many like Anantara Mui Ne Resort offer guests a chance to explore and discover the allures of their surroundings. And while you enjoy the perks of your luxury resort in Mui Ne, you can easily impress and earn the respect of locals you meet with your basic understanding of their language.

2. The Basic Phrases In Vietnamese

Here is a list of basic Vietnamese phrases used in everyday interactions to help you get by as you explore the land.

• Yes – the dialect is differentiated by region. Da (South), Vang (North)
• No – Khong
• Thank you – Cam on
• I'm sorry – Xin loi
• Do you speak English? Ban co noi duoc tieng anh khong?
• Where's the toilet? Nha ve sinh o dau
• Can you help me? – Ban co the giup toi duoc khong?
• No problem/you are welcome – Khong co gi

3. Learn A Few Vietnamese Greetings

Listed are a few Vietnamese phrases of greeting you can use to garner a smile from the locals you meet. You will discover they love chatting to foreigners and are quite impressed with those speaking their dialect. Learn the following phrases to feel like a local and fit right in!

• Greet the locals with a friendly smile and a – 'Hello' – Xin chao
• Goodbye – Tam biet
• And when you visit a shop or friends home etc. impress them with a 'How are you' – Ban co khoe khong

Practise these before you set-off on your trip and enjoy pleasantly surprised looks.

4. Learn A Few Food Related Vietnamese Phrases

Food in Vietnam is just as awesome as the fair offered in Bangkok or Malaysia, for example. You will definitely want to check out the eating streets and hawker stalls at open air markets. These places are manned by locals, selling their traditional cuisine which are simply too good to miss. As you know, the food in South-east Asia can go from being prepared with basic ingredients you are familiar with to exotic concoctions that are both delicious and quite foreign to your palate. There may also be certain types of food you wish to avoid; extra spicy food, for example. Likewise, you will have a list of must try dishes such as those crispy Vietnamese spring rolls and the famous pho. And as you go treating your taste-buds, learn a few phrases in Vietnamese to make sure you don't end up eating any type of food you wish to avoid. Try repeating the following.

• Safeguard your eating ethics learning the phrase for - I'm vegetarian – Toi an chay
• And avoid unnecessary agony with – 'Nothing too spicy, please' – Lam on moi thu khong qua cay
• Spicy (hot) – Cay
• And when you want a cold – Beer – ask for a Bia
• The most important phrase – 'How much' – Bao nhieu

Vietnamese Phrases For Holiday Shopping

The best souvenirs are sold at the rustic shopping streets found in all tourist hubs and even some remote villages. As you explore, don't feel overwhelmed. Learn to say the following in the local dialect and create a better connection with the seller who will see you more than a mere tourist.

• That age-old phrase – 'Is it too expensive' – Mac qua
• And also, the holiday shoppers' favourite – 'Do you have anything cheaper' – Ban co cai nao re hon khong

These are a few basic phrases, get yourself a guide book and have plenty of practice on your flight over.