Essential Vietnamese Phrases for First-Time Travelers: Do We Really Say “Tạm Biệt”?

As Vietnamese locals, we’ve been proud to see Vietnam’s rising popularity on the global tourism scene. Since reopening its doors to foreign visitors after COVID-19, Vietnam has been hailed as an emerging travel destination for enthusiasts worldwide. Known for its distinctive mix of modernity, rich local culture, and out-of-this-world landscapes, Vietnam is an absolute must on your travel plan this year.

That said, we’ll refrain from bragging about how incredible Vietnamese cuisine is, how lovely the people are, or how attractive Vietnam is as a tourist destination. Since we know you’ll be traveling to Vietnam (very soon, we hope!), we’ll dive straight into what you need most: basic survival phrases (and perhaps a few essential guidelines right after). Below are some of the most fundamental essentials, along with additional links to help complete your travel pack.

First Off: Vietnamese Tones Explained

Vietnamese is a beautiful, monosyllabic, and rhythmic language. Yes, the language has a total of six tones—and tones carry far more power than one might expect. A small mispronunciation can completely change the meaning of a word. But don’t let that intimidate you. Most of the time, even a little effort to get the tones right—as a traveler to Vietnam—can break the ice and bring you closer to the locals.

Check out our popular video on tones below to get a glimpse—and, of course, a listen—of how tones are played out:

Next Step: The Pronouns

Yes, you’re absolutely right—the notorious pronouns. Understanding the Vietnamese pronoun system isn’t that hard, but getting the hang of it does take a bit of extra patience. To be honest, it’s perfectly fine to get by in Vietnam without using the “proper” pronouns. But imagine receiving a warm smile from the auntie selling your favorite coffee at a street vendor—oh boy, it would make your day and give you a real sense of achievement, right?

Let’s crack pronouns together:

Now that you’ve covered the first few basics, let’s get down to real business.

👋 Greetings & Politeness

Start every day on the right foot with simple greetings locals use daily:

• Xin chào — Hello
• Tạm biệt — Goodbye
• Cảm ơn — Thank you
• Xin lỗi — Sorry / Excuse me
• Vâng / Dạ — Yes
• Không — No

🔢 Numbers You’ll Use Everywhere

• Knowing numbers helps with shopping, getting around, and understanding prices. The video covers:
• 0–10 basics:
  Không (0), Một (1), Hai (2), Ba (3), Bốn (4), Năm (5), Sáu (6), Bảy (7), Tám (8), Chín (9), Mười (10)
• You’ll also learn patterns for creating higher numbers like 11, 15, 20, and beyond. Check out the following videos:
• Number 11-99 

• Numbers 100 UP

📍 Asking for Places, Directions & Help

Whether you’re exploring or just trying to find the restroom, these phrases will come in handy:

• … ở đâu? — Where is …?
  (e.g., Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? — Where is the bathroom?)
• Tôi cần giúp đỡ — I need help
• Tôi bị lạc — I’m lost
• Bạn có thể chỉ đường không? — Can you show me the way?

🛍️ Shopping & Everyday Use

Navigate markets and (maybe) score better prices with these essentials:

• Cái này bao nhiêu tiền? — How much is this?
• Tôi muốn mua… — I want to buy…
• Giảm giá được không? — Can you give a discount?

🍜 Food, Drinks & Ordering in Vietnamese

A complete situational listening exercise for real-life use:

Want More?

For a more complete guide for first-time travelers to Vietnam, check out the following videos:

TVO Basic Travel Pack – Part 1: 

TVO Basic Travel Pack – Part 2:

P.S. One final question to spark some discussion: Do we, Vietnamese, really say “Tạm Biệt”? Look forward to your thoughts!

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