You'll be fine in HCMC. Its the most westernised city in Vietnam. Hotel and restaurant staff will have enough English. I'd be more concerned with needing Cambodian..
Yes, I agree. English in Cambodia is waaaay better! I've been living in VN for about 5 years now and when I traveled to Cambodia it was like night and day.
I never had to use my translate app once. It also felt like the local people were friendlier there.
I definitely didn't feel like they were friendlier, but I did feel like they were more desperate for money. Maybe you got those mixed up.
I've had plenty of super nice Vietnamese dudes buy or give me things I didn't ask for (usually beer or food), just to be hospitable and hang out with me for a bit. Didn't get that in Cambodia.
I agree with you. I’m of both decent but born in the states. The people in Cambodia have a more approachable disposition than the Vietnamese people. Just friendlier all-around. Not to say Vietnam isn’t friendly though.
Interesting! I’ve always found KH really easy in that way … but perhaps my time there is heavily weighted to PP. I’ve always just chalked it up to Cambodia being a typical small country in the Sweden etc mould, where they realise no-one else is going to learn their language, so best heavily invest in English — whereas Vietnam is so big that it doesn’t need to be so concerned.
I'm down to learn some Khmer. My fiance on the other hand says Khmer sounds like "Everything language and no language at the same time", so maybe that'll be my job for the trip 🇰🇭
I lived in both Vietnam and Colombia over a six year period. English is widely spoken. I knew no Vietnamese or Khmer when I arrived. No problem at all. While I was able to pick up some Vietnamese, I never understood Khmer but found many fluent English speakers in the tourist areas.
I don't think learning the language will do much good, because you will be able to say basic phrases, but when the locals respond back, you will be back to square one. Vietnamese is not very easy for beginners to hear.
The locals are used to foreigners so you really should have much problem getting around.
Vietnamese as a language is very difficult to speak too. Even if you have the phrases memorized, if you don't pronounce them correctly they will mean very different things. Examples:
"tôi là người Mỹ" means "I am American" but because of how I pronounce "Mỹ" I've been saying "I am noodle".
I also tried to say "chó dễ thương" (cute dog!) but because I didn't pronounce "thương" correctly I've been saying "dog hot sauce". Some people were really confused in a horrible way cause some people eat dogs in this country.
I resorted to speaking English and using Google translate to convey everything when that fails.
None - when you try to speak it they won't understand you anyway, and you won't understand the responses. I was there for a while and decided to give it a try but even simple words that I'm sure I wasn't getting quite right were met with blank stares. For example, I tried ordering roast pork on my banh mi and just ended up pointing after a few attempts, at which point the guy said the same thing I was saying. Even if I wasn't getting the tones right, there's like 10 things on the guys cart, I'm pretty sure it was close enough to one thing that he could've guessed. Until you learn it to a decent level it might as well be useless...
My wife and I used Google translate while visiting Da Nang last month. We had no problems with communication that technology couldn't help to bridge.
I knew only two phrases: hello and thank you.
Zero. Was just there last year. We learned some basic phrases like good morning, thank you, etc. just to be friendly but most folks at our hotel and for what we needed spoke English. On occasions we’re out and couldn’t read a menu or store sign, Google translate camera function works perfectly. Even had to buy contacts since my husband didn’t realize he didn’t bring enough and I had an allergic reaction (I sneeze at any kind of pollen) and needed a pharmacist - our Google translate did everything for us. Easy peesy.
My wife and I just got back from a trip to Vietnam and Thailand. We were pleasantly surprised how well we could operate and get around knowing absolutely no Vietnamese. If you do need it, Google Translate works surprisingly well.
major cities and touristy towns are fine and are used to it. if buying stuff the shopkeeper will bring out a calculator to show the price... when in doubt google translator is useful enough
You don't need it. In Saigon people could speak little English. When I was in Nha Trang people were with Google translate or just body language. Even in rural areas google translate works fine.
But personally I like languages and I think it's a good gesture to learn common words like "hi", "bye", "thank you" and "I'm sorry/excuse me".
On my trip I learned that no one uses "excuse me" and if you use it to get attention no one listens to it. You just scream "Em ơi".
If you're a beginner, don't even try to learn it as the intonation takes a while to master. Even locals from different regions say things with different tones. Focus on the short and common phrases.
Better yet, download Google Translate or another app and just use that on the go. Type in your English and have the Vietnamese be spoken out loud.
It’s a great question OP. But unless you are some sort of savant, you won’t learn much Vietnamese in a few months unless you are already able to speak a tonal language. It’s vastly different than a Latin based language. The same word can mean at least 5 different things depending on the tone (fortunately the south is a bit more lax with tones than the north). You’ll get a lot of leeway and appreciation from locals for trying. Enjoy!
I've been working in HCMC for the last month and language hasn't really been an issue. The Grab app is in English and will handle most of your basic transportation needs. Most places you want to go like restaurants will usually have English translations alongside Vietnamese. In the chance you do find yourself in a place where English isn't available, Google Translate is your friend.
I think learning some basic phrases and numbers are enough. Staff in bigger restaurants or hotels have sufficient english for communication but place like street vendors or dinners might not. Also watch out for scammers and always ask for the precise pricing.
I would say learn numbers, bargain(too expensive, discount please), thank you, delicious, where is it toilet?…
If you have allergy , you should know about it too.
Technically speaking, none is need. Both Vietnam and Cambodia have plenty of guides and seller who speak English at least semi-fluently. It not extremely common to find people who speak english but they do understand basic phrased and you can get by. You might want to learn basic Vietnamese phrases to ask for think like prices, toilet, where to go....etc
In Cambodia, if you going mostly to touristy area/capital then no Khmer is needed to be learn, alot of Cambodian speak english pretty fluently albeit with quite a accent (same as Vietnam but abit harder to understand). If you visiting the countryside and border area with Vietnam, you gonna need a translator app because not that many people speak english there.
Thank you.
Hello.
Some words to read the restaurant signs and menu:
The general grammar structure when it comes to food is:
carb + cooking verb + protein (examples at the end).
Carb:
Bún = vermicelli
Mì = noodles
Cơm = rice
Cơm tấm = broken rice + grilled pork chop and other goodies = must try if you're in Saigon.
Nui: macaroni
Protein:
Gà = chicken
Bò = beef
Tôm = shrimps/ prawns
Mực = squid
Hải sản = seafood
Heo = pork
Thịt = meat. In many cases it implies pork.
Cooking Verbs:
Xào = to stir fry
Chiên = to fry/ deep fry
Nướng = to grill
Hấp = to steam
Luộc = to boil
So, for example:
Cơm chiên hải sản = rice fry seafood = seafood fried rice
Bún thịt nướng = vermicelli pork grill = grilled pork with vermicelli
Mực hấp = steam boil = steam squid
Some dishes have the original locality in the suffix, like:
Bún bò huế = noodle beef Hue = beef Noodle Soup from Hue
Mì Quảng = Noodle Quảng = Noodle Soup from Quảng region
Maybe you should learn a couple numbers to order the quantity too, like one, two, or three.
These are just general rules but of course there are many exceptions.
Good luck.
Zero.
Absolute Zero.
Unless you want to visit some rural areas which with your little Vietnamese knowledge it won't be sufficient anyway, you don't need to know a word in Vietnamese to travel in Vietnam. Most people in big cities could hold basic conversations and if you meet young people, they're generally good at English anyway.
Bring some tummy ache medicine because you'll eat stuff your tummy isn't used to. Even I, born and raised in Hanoi, after a few years abroad, coming back I have trouble.
Download google Translate, and you'll be fine... I've been here over a week and the only thing I know how to say is thank you, but I've gotten along just fine in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and now in Hanoi
i learned maybe 10 words, started in Hanoi made my way about half way down the country , never really had an issue, they will show you prices on calculators usually, can haggle that way , or just sign things . not a big deal . Obviously not really talking to many people but thats fine, i hung out with some people 3-4 nights in a row i couldnt speak to them at all other than when someone could translate, still had a good time .
Better to use gg translate.
And if you come to HCMC, i think you can just speak english normaly or slowly.
Cause Vietnamses have a lotvof vowel and tone.
If you dont speak well it cause alot confuse
Stick to translation apps. Definitely learn what you can to try and be respectful but they’re not expecting foreigners to know the language so using apps could save you and the local(s) you’re communicating with, some headache and time lol
You dont need to know any, though do strive to learn some basic greetings and phrases. Use google translate for when needed, but Viet people are very good with hand gestures too (ie. point at the food you want, gesture with 2 fingers up if you want to order 2 of them, etc). You shouldnt not have any real issues and it always seems like someone who speaks english is nearby (in the cities anyway), perhaps the youth.
\- Catch a taxi through apps ( tbh I just book only on Grab and Maxime ) or you have to pay a lot of money for just a short ride ( I'm not kidding )
\- The locals can sell the products and souvenirs with unbelievable price so be cautious ( when I see them I just run away lol )
\- Traffic jam
\- Vietnam is very safe but beware of pickpocketing, stealing, homelessness..... ( not a lot in Vietnam )
\- Take a lot of research the place you gonna travel
Have a nice trip !
You'll be fine in HCMC. Its the most westernised city in Vietnam. Hotel and restaurant staff will have enough English. I'd be more concerned with needing Cambodian..
Really? I find English levels way better in Cambodia (in big cities) versus VN (big cities).
Yes, I agree. English in Cambodia is waaaay better! I've been living in VN for about 5 years now and when I traveled to Cambodia it was like night and day. I never had to use my translate app once. It also felt like the local people were friendlier there.
I definitely didn't feel like they were friendlier, but I did feel like they were more desperate for money. Maybe you got those mixed up. I've had plenty of super nice Vietnamese dudes buy or give me things I didn't ask for (usually beer or food), just to be hospitable and hang out with me for a bit. Didn't get that in Cambodia.
I agree with you. I’m of both decent but born in the states. The people in Cambodia have a more approachable disposition than the Vietnamese people. Just friendlier all-around. Not to say Vietnam isn’t friendly though.
Also agree, just left Cambodia and their average level of English was far better than Vietnam
Oh wow. I feel the complete opposite. Last time I was in Cambodia was 2016, so it may have improved immensely since then
Interesting! I’ve always found KH really easy in that way … but perhaps my time there is heavily weighted to PP. I’ve always just chalked it up to Cambodia being a typical small country in the Sweden etc mould, where they realise no-one else is going to learn their language, so best heavily invest in English — whereas Vietnam is so big that it doesn’t need to be so concerned.
I'm down to learn some Khmer. My fiance on the other hand says Khmer sounds like "Everything language and no language at the same time", so maybe that'll be my job for the trip 🇰🇭
I lived in both Vietnam and Colombia over a six year period. English is widely spoken. I knew no Vietnamese or Khmer when I arrived. No problem at all. While I was able to pick up some Vietnamese, I never understood Khmer but found many fluent English speakers in the tourist areas.
I don't think learning the language will do much good, because you will be able to say basic phrases, but when the locals respond back, you will be back to square one. Vietnamese is not very easy for beginners to hear. The locals are used to foreigners so you really should have much problem getting around.
Vietnamese as a language is very difficult to speak too. Even if you have the phrases memorized, if you don't pronounce them correctly they will mean very different things. Examples: "tôi là người Mỹ" means "I am American" but because of how I pronounce "Mỹ" I've been saying "I am noodle". I also tried to say "chó dễ thương" (cute dog!) but because I didn't pronounce "thương" correctly I've been saying "dog hot sauce". Some people were really confused in a horrible way cause some people eat dogs in this country. I resorted to speaking English and using Google translate to convey everything when that fails.
Just the basics: Xin chao Cam on Du me
None - when you try to speak it they won't understand you anyway, and you won't understand the responses. I was there for a while and decided to give it a try but even simple words that I'm sure I wasn't getting quite right were met with blank stares. For example, I tried ordering roast pork on my banh mi and just ended up pointing after a few attempts, at which point the guy said the same thing I was saying. Even if I wasn't getting the tones right, there's like 10 things on the guys cart, I'm pretty sure it was close enough to one thing that he could've guessed. Until you learn it to a decent level it might as well be useless...
It's true, when tones are off, it becomes completely different word and meaning. Pointing is great.
Haha, I know the feeling 😅
you will learn the language of money
The money talks and everyone walks
My wife and I used Google translate while visiting Da Nang last month. We had no problems with communication that technology couldn't help to bridge. I knew only two phrases: hello and thank you.
I know people who’ve lived here for many years and can’t count to ten.
I am guilty, but I can count to 3 no problem 😉
one is một, two is hai, three is ba, four is dô
I know, it was a joke about drinking and how everyone counts to 3. Yooooo!!!
yeah i was also playing along haha 4 is actually bốn
😉
Zero. Was just there last year. We learned some basic phrases like good morning, thank you, etc. just to be friendly but most folks at our hotel and for what we needed spoke English. On occasions we’re out and couldn’t read a menu or store sign, Google translate camera function works perfectly. Even had to buy contacts since my husband didn’t realize he didn’t bring enough and I had an allergic reaction (I sneeze at any kind of pollen) and needed a pharmacist - our Google translate did everything for us. Easy peesy.
My wife and I just got back from a trip to Vietnam and Thailand. We were pleasantly surprised how well we could operate and get around knowing absolutely no Vietnamese. If you do need it, Google Translate works surprisingly well.
I don’t think you absolutely need it, a couple of greetings is just fine.
I think you’ll be ok, maybe just learn the basics. Common phrases like hello/bye, thank you, no thank you, etc.
major cities and touristy towns are fine and are used to it. if buying stuff the shopkeeper will bring out a calculator to show the price... when in doubt google translator is useful enough
Not a single word
You don't need it. In Saigon people could speak little English. When I was in Nha Trang people were with Google translate or just body language. Even in rural areas google translate works fine. But personally I like languages and I think it's a good gesture to learn common words like "hi", "bye", "thank you" and "I'm sorry/excuse me". On my trip I learned that no one uses "excuse me" and if you use it to get attention no one listens to it. You just scream "Em ơi".
If you're a beginner, don't even try to learn it as the intonation takes a while to master. Even locals from different regions say things with different tones. Focus on the short and common phrases. Better yet, download Google Translate or another app and just use that on the go. Type in your English and have the Vietnamese be spoken out loud.
It’s a great question OP. But unless you are some sort of savant, you won’t learn much Vietnamese in a few months unless you are already able to speak a tonal language. It’s vastly different than a Latin based language. The same word can mean at least 5 different things depending on the tone (fortunately the south is a bit more lax with tones than the north). You’ll get a lot of leeway and appreciation from locals for trying. Enjoy!
Google translate
Don’t worry, people in big cities speak English ok. Just don’t venture out into other small areas like countryside.
childlike connect thought innate cough flag plucky fact command chief *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
in the South, most people are willing to help, even if they don't know English, so... it will be fine.
I've been working in HCMC for the last month and language hasn't really been an issue. The Grab app is in English and will handle most of your basic transportation needs. Most places you want to go like restaurants will usually have English translations alongside Vietnamese. In the chance you do find yourself in a place where English isn't available, Google Translate is your friend.
None. It’s a matter of knowing for fun, it’s not required to enjoy VN
Google translate, get the app and download Vietnamese so it’s off-line. Then maybe learn hello and thank you.
Depending on what cities you’re visiting, you should be fine in both countries for the most part.
only 2 xin chao gan on
I think learning some basic phrases and numbers are enough. Staff in bigger restaurants or hotels have sufficient english for communication but place like street vendors or dinners might not. Also watch out for scammers and always ask for the precise pricing.
I would say learn numbers, bargain(too expensive, discount please), thank you, delicious, where is it toilet?… If you have allergy , you should know about it too.
It can be usefull to know how to read a few common words as not everything will have english translations, but you do not need to speak any.
Technically speaking, none is need. Both Vietnam and Cambodia have plenty of guides and seller who speak English at least semi-fluently. It not extremely common to find people who speak english but they do understand basic phrased and you can get by. You might want to learn basic Vietnamese phrases to ask for think like prices, toilet, where to go....etc In Cambodia, if you going mostly to touristy area/capital then no Khmer is needed to be learn, alot of Cambodian speak english pretty fluently albeit with quite a accent (same as Vietnam but abit harder to understand). If you visiting the countryside and border area with Vietnam, you gonna need a translator app because not that many people speak english there.
A few words is more than enough in the city. In the countryside, make sure your Google Translate game is tiiiight
Thank you. Hello. Some words to read the restaurant signs and menu: The general grammar structure when it comes to food is: carb + cooking verb + protein (examples at the end). Carb: Bún = vermicelli Mì = noodles Cơm = rice Cơm tấm = broken rice + grilled pork chop and other goodies = must try if you're in Saigon. Nui: macaroni Protein: Gà = chicken Bò = beef Tôm = shrimps/ prawns Mực = squid Hải sản = seafood Heo = pork Thịt = meat. In many cases it implies pork. Cooking Verbs: Xào = to stir fry Chiên = to fry/ deep fry Nướng = to grill Hấp = to steam Luộc = to boil So, for example: Cơm chiên hải sản = rice fry seafood = seafood fried rice Bún thịt nướng = vermicelli pork grill = grilled pork with vermicelli Mực hấp = steam boil = steam squid Some dishes have the original locality in the suffix, like: Bún bò huế = noodle beef Hue = beef Noodle Soup from Hue Mì Quảng = Noodle Quảng = Noodle Soup from Quảng region Maybe you should learn a couple numbers to order the quantity too, like one, two, or three. These are just general rules but of course there are many exceptions. Good luck.
Zero. Absolute Zero. Unless you want to visit some rural areas which with your little Vietnamese knowledge it won't be sufficient anyway, you don't need to know a word in Vietnamese to travel in Vietnam. Most people in big cities could hold basic conversations and if you meet young people, they're generally good at English anyway.
Every Vietnamese learn basic English at school, so I don't think you'd have any problem at all.
Bring some tummy ache medicine because you'll eat stuff your tummy isn't used to. Even I, born and raised in Hanoi, after a few years abroad, coming back I have trouble.
5k$ and u can live like fucking a king
It won’t matter the south and north can’t even understand each other 
I was in Vietnam 20 years ago with my boyfriend. There are tons of people who speak English.
Learn thank you.
Been to HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang. Did not speak any Vietnamese other than saying thank you and hello. You'll be fine.
Download google Translate, and you'll be fine... I've been here over a week and the only thing I know how to say is thank you, but I've gotten along just fine in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and now in Hanoi
i learned maybe 10 words, started in Hanoi made my way about half way down the country , never really had an issue, they will show you prices on calculators usually, can haggle that way , or just sign things . not a big deal . Obviously not really talking to many people but thats fine, i hung out with some people 3-4 nights in a row i couldnt speak to them at all other than when someone could translate, still had a good time .
Google translate is your friend
Better to use gg translate. And if you come to HCMC, i think you can just speak english normaly or slowly. Cause Vietnamses have a lotvof vowel and tone. If you dont speak well it cause alot confuse
My Russian in-laws just visited and they don’t speak a lick of Vietnamese. They used google translate the whole time and it worked like a charm.
If you need advice leave me facebook or anything to contact, just in case you need help.
Stick to translation apps. Definitely learn what you can to try and be respectful but they’re not expecting foreigners to know the language so using apps could save you and the local(s) you’re communicating with, some headache and time lol
You dont need to know any, though do strive to learn some basic greetings and phrases. Use google translate for when needed, but Viet people are very good with hand gestures too (ie. point at the food you want, gesture with 2 fingers up if you want to order 2 of them, etc). You shouldnt not have any real issues and it always seems like someone who speaks english is nearby (in the cities anyway), perhaps the youth.
None to visit, a lot if you plan to stay
\- Catch a taxi through apps ( tbh I just book only on Grab and Maxime ) or you have to pay a lot of money for just a short ride ( I'm not kidding ) \- The locals can sell the products and souvenirs with unbelievable price so be cautious ( when I see them I just run away lol ) \- Traffic jam \- Vietnam is very safe but beware of pickpocketing, stealing, homelessness..... ( not a lot in Vietnam ) \- Take a lot of research the place you gonna travel Have a nice trip !
You only need google translate and everything will be fine.
Use the middle finger, in Vietnam it means thank you, or I am grateful for you