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🇻🇳Essential Vietnamese phrases for beginners

If you're starting Vietnamese from zero, these are the phrases to learn first. They cover the moments you'll hit on day one — saying hello, being polite, asking for help, ordering food and finding your way. Each one is native-checked, with romanization to help you say it, and a tap through to usage and related phrases.

How to use this list: don't try to memorize all of them at once. Learn the greetings and the courtesy phrases first — they're the ones you'll use every single day — then add a few situational ones (directions, food, emergencies) before a trip. Say each out loud; reading silently won't build the muscle. When you're ready, practice them with a real Vietnamese speaker.
  1. 1
    Anh/chị ở đâu vậy?

    Where are you?
  2. 2
    Cô ấy nói gì vậy?

    What did she say?
  3. 3
    Anh ấy nói gì vậy?

    What did he say?
  4. 4
    Anh/chị có ăn rau không?

    Do you eat vegetables?
  5. 5
    Có món gì ngon cho người ăn kiêng không?

    What's good for a diet?
  6. 6
    Có món ăn vặt không?

    Do you have any snacks?
  7. 7
    Món này bao nhiêu tiền vậy?

    How much does this cost?
  8. 8
    Bạn có bảo hành không?

    Do you have a warranty?
  9. 9
    Giá của nó bao nhiêu?

    How much does it cost?
  10. 10
    Anh/chị có thể trả góp được không?

    Can you pay in installments?
  11. 11
    Có gì đâu mà vui thế?

    What's so funny about this?
  12. 12
    Bây giờ là mùa hè rồi đó

    Now it's summer
  13. 13
    Có món gì ăn vặt không?

    What do you have for snacks?
  14. 14
    Thức ăn chay có gì ngon không?

    What are the vegetarian dishes here?
  15. 15
    Xin lỗi, tôi không ăn được nữa.

    Excuse me, I'm full.
  16. 16
    Mình có món gì đặc biệt không?

    Do you have any special dishes?
  17. 17
    Tôi cần một ít tiền mặt.

    I need some cash.
  18. 18
    Giá của sản phẩm này bao nhiêu?

    How much does this product cost?
  19. 19
    Rất tiếc vì đã làm phiền anh.

    Sorry for bothering you.
  20. 20
    Tôi đang làm bữa tối.

    I am preparing dinner.
  21. 21
    Anh/chị ở nhà làm gì vậy?

    What are you doing at home?
  22. 22
    Tôi đang nấu bữa tối.

    I am cooking dinner.
  23. 23
    Anh/chị có muốn ăn pizza không?

    Do you want to eat pizza?
  24. 24
    Có món gì ngon khác không?

    Do you have any other good dishes?

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From phrasebook to real conversation

These essentials get you started. To actually speak Vietnamese, practice them out loud — free with native-speaker peers, or 1-1 with a vetted tutor.

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