Common Vietnamese Phrases Every Beginner Should Know

These phrases cover the situations you'll encounter most often. Learn them with correct tones from day one. ## Meeting People - **Xin chào** — Hello (formal, safe in any situation) - **Tên tôi là...** — My name is... - **Bạn tên gì?** — What's your name? - **Rất vui được gặp bạn** — Nice to meet you - **Bạn có khỏe không?** — How are you? - **Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn** — I'm fine, thank you ## At a Restaurant - **Cho tôi xem menu** — Can I see the menu? - **Cho tôi một...** — Give me one... - **Tính tiền** — Check, please - **Bao nhiêu tiền?** — How much? - **Ngon lắm!** — Very delicious! - **Không cay** — Not spicy - **Ít đường** — Less sugar ## Getting Around - **...ở đâu?** — Where is...? - **Bao xa?** — How far? - **Đi thẳng** — Go straight - **Rẽ trái / Rẽ phải** — Turn left / Turn right - **Dừng ở đây** — Stop here (for taxis) ## Shopping - **Cái này bao nhiêu?** — How much is this? - **Đắt quá!** — Too expensive! - **Giảm giá được không?** — Can you give a discount? ## Emergencies & Help - **Giúp tôi!** — Help me! - **Tôi không hiểu** — I don't understand - **Nói chậm hơn** — Speak more slowly - **Bạn nói tiếng Anh không?** — Do you speak English? - **Tôi đang học tiếng Việt** — I'm learning Vietnamese ## Polite Expressions - **Xin lỗi** — Sorry / Excuse me - **Không sao** — It's okay / No problem - **Cảm ơn nhiều** — Thank you very much - **Hẹn gặp lại** — See you again Pro tip: Practice hearing these phrases in WELE dictation before you need them in real life. Recognition comes before production.