Course Overview
Planning a trip to Vietnam? This intensive 6-week course will prepare you to navigate Vietnam with confidence! Learn essential phrases for hotels, restaurants, shopping, transportation, and emergencies. Through role-play and real-world scenarios, you'll master practical Vietnamese for travel situations.
🆘 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL PHRASES 🆘
Learn these first! They'll save you in any situation.
👋 PROPER GREETINGS 👋
Vietnamese greetings show respect based on age and gender
💡 Cultural Tip: "Anh" = older brother (for males), "Chị" = older sister (for females), "Em" = younger sibling (any gender). When unsure, use "Xin chào" - it's always safe!
✈️ Airport, Immigration & First Steps
Landing in Vietnam and getting through the airport
Learning Goals:
- Navigate immigration and customs
- Exchange money and get a SIM card
- Ask for directions in the airport
- Take a taxi or grab to your hotel
🛂 IMMIGRATION
💱 MONEY EXCHANGE
Money Tip
Vietnam uses Dong (VND). 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND. ATMs are everywhere and usually give the best rate. Exchange just enough at the airport for a taxi!
🚕 GETTING A TAXI
[dee den kak san nai] - Go to this hotel
[doo-urk, len se dee] - OK, get in the car
[bow nyew tee-en] - How much?
[high jahm ngin dome] - 200,000 dong
Transportation Tip
Download Grab! It's like Uber in Vietnam. You'll see the price upfront (no haggling needed), and you can pay with cash or card. Much easier than negotiating with taxi drivers!
ROLE-PLAY ACTIVITY
Airport Arrival Simulation
Practice the complete arrival sequence: immigration → money exchange → taxi. Partner up and take turns being the traveler and the local staff. Use real props like fake passports and play money!
Downloadable Materials:
🏨 Hotels & Accommodations
Checking in, staying comfortable, and asking for help
Learning Goals:
- Check in and out of hotels
- Request amenities and services
- Report problems with your room
- Ask about breakfast, WiFi, and facilities
✅ CHECK-IN
[toy da dat fong] - I have a reservation
[ten toy la...] - My name is...
[vung, fong high jahm le ba] - Yes, room 203
Essential Hotel Phrases:
❓ ASKING FOR HELP
INTERACTIVE GAME
"Hotel Problem Solver"
Instructor gives you scenarios (no hot water, need extra blanket, WiFi not working, etc.). Practice politely requesting help in Vietnamese. Points for using correct phrases!
Hotel Culture Tip
Vietnamese hotel staff are generally very helpful! Adding "Xin vui lòng" (Please) makes requests more polite. Smile and be patient - English is common in tourist hotels, but trying Vietnamese is always appreciated!
🍜 Food, Restaurants & Street Food
Ordering food like a local!
Learning Goals:
- Order food at restaurants and street stalls
- Ask about ingredients and dietary restrictions
- Compliment food and ask for the bill
- Navigate Vietnamese menus
🍽️ ORDERING FOOD
[ban moo-on goy zee] - What would you like to order?
[toy moo-on mote toe fuh baw] - I'd like one bowl of beef pho
[va mote lee ga fe shoo-a da] - And one iced milk coffee
Must-Know Food Phrases:
🥗 DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
🍜 ESSENTIAL VIETNAMESE FOODS 🍜
RESTAURANT ROLE-PLAY
"Vietnamese Restaurant"
Set up a mock Vietnamese restaurant! Create menus with real Vietnamese dishes. Practice ordering full meals, asking questions about ingredients, and paying the bill. Rotate roles between customer and server.
Dining Culture
Street food is amazing! Don't be afraid of plastic stools and small shops - that's where the best food is! Tipping is not expected (but appreciated 5-10% at nicer places). Always say "Ngon!" (Delicious) to compliment the chef!
🛍️ Shopping, Markets & Bargaining
Get the best deals and shop like a pro!
Learning Goals:
- Ask prices and bargain effectively
- Navigate markets and shops
- Ask for different sizes, colors, and options
- Master money-related vocabulary
💰 BARGAINING
[kai nai bow nyew tee-en] - How much is this?
[nam jahm ngin] - 500,000 dong
[dat qua! zum za doo-urk khome] - Too expensive! Can you discount?
[bone jahm nam moy] - 450,000
[ba jahm doo-urk khome] - How about 300,000?
[doo-urk! ba jahm!] - OK! 300,000!
Shopping Vocabulary:
💵 NUMBERS FOR BARGAINING 💵
Mười nghìn
Năm mươi nghìn
Một trăm nghìn
Hai trăm nghìn
Năm trăm nghìn
Một triệu
MARKET DAY SIMULATION
"Ben Thanh Market Challenge"
Set up market stalls with real items (souvenirs, clothes, snacks). Practice haggling! Start with vendor's "tourist price" and negotiate down. Winner gets the best deal using Vietnamese phrases!
Bargaining Etiquette
Bargaining is expected at markets! Start at 50-60% of asking price. Be friendly and smile! If the vendor won't budge, walk away - they often call you back with a better price. Fixed-price stores say "Giá cố định" (Fixed price) - no bargaining there!
🚕 Transportation & Getting Around
Navigate cities and find your way
Learning Goals:
- Give and understand directions
- Use taxis, motorbikes, and public transport
- Ask where things are and how to get there
- Navigate traffic and cross streets safely
🗺️ ASKING DIRECTIONS
Direction Words:
🏍️ MOTORBIKE TAXI (XE ÔM)
[dee cho lun bow nyew] - How much to Cho Lon (Big Market)?
[nam moy ngin] - 50,000
[doo-urk. dee chum chum nye] - OK. Go slowly please!
NAVIGATION CHALLENGE
"Find Your Way Game"
Use maps of Hanoi or Saigon. Give students a starting point and destination. They must ask for directions in Vietnamese, follow the route, and identify landmarks along the way!
Traffic Tip
Vietnam traffic is CRAZY! Millions of motorbikes everywhere. To cross the street: walk slowly and steadily - vehicles will flow around you. Never run or stop suddenly! Consider motorbike taxi (xe ôm) for short trips - it's an adventure!
🆘 Emergencies & Essential Situations
Stay safe and handle any situation
Learning Goals:
- Handle medical emergencies
- Report problems to police
- Deal with phone and tech issues
- Review everything and prepare for your trip!
🚨 EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN VIETNAM 🚨
🏥 MEDICAL SITUATIONS
📱 TECH PROBLEMS
💼 LOST ITEMS
EMERGENCY SCENARIOS
"Crisis Response Training"
Role-play various emergencies: lost passport, need doctor, phone stolen, food poisoning, etc. Practice staying calm and communicating clearly in Vietnamese during stressful situations.
Safety Tips
Vietnam is generally very safe! Petty theft (pickpocketing) can happen in tourist areas - keep valuables secure. Travel insurance is highly recommended. Embassy phone numbers should be saved in your phone. Vietnamese people are very helpful - don't hesitate to ask for help!
🎓 CONGRATULATIONS! 🎓
You've completed Vietnamese for Travelers!
What You've Mastered:
- ✅ Airport and arrival procedures
- ✅ Hotel check-in and requests
- ✅ Ordering food like a local
- ✅ Shopping and bargaining skills
- ✅ Getting around Vietnamese cities
- ✅ Handling emergencies confidently
You're now ready to explore Vietnam! Remember: Vietnamese people appreciate any effort to speak their language. Don't worry about perfection - smile, try your best, and enjoy the adventure!
Travel Prep Materials
Download these essential guides for your Vietnam trip!
Pocket Phrasebook
Printable mini-guide with all essential phrases
Audio Phrases
MP3 recordings to practice pronunciation
City Guides
Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Hoi An essentials
Food Guide
50+ Vietnamese dishes with photos
Currency Converter
Quick VND conversion chart
Essential Apps
Must-have apps for travelers in Vietnam
📋 Print This Quick Reference Card! 📋
👋 Basics
Xin chào - Hello
Cảm ơn - Thank you
Xin lỗi - Sorry
🏨 Hotel
WiFi mật khẩu?
Bữa sáng mấy giờ?
Gọi taxi cho tôi
🍜 Food
Tôi muốn... - I want...
Không cay - Not spicy
Tính tiền - Check please
🛍️ Shopping
Bao nhiêu? - How much?
Đắt quá - Too expensive
Giảm giá được không?
🚕 Transport
Đi...bao nhiêu?
Rẽ trái - Turn left
Dừng lại - Stop
🆘 Emergency
Giúp tôi! - Help!
Tôi bị lạc - I'm lost
Tôi cần bác sĩ