What to Know About Learning Vietnamese in Vietnam

If you’re considering Vietnam as your next adventure, you’ve made an excellent choice. With a wealth of beautiful landscapes, delicious street food, and a fantastic social culture, it’s no wonder that Vietnam has such a thriving expat community. 

It isn’t hard to thrive with views like these!

Whether you’ll be arriving as a traveler or as a teacher, you’re probably wondering if you should learn Vietnamese in Vietnam, or even before you arrive. Although many get by only using Google Translate, learning Vietnamese is something you should definitely consider, whether you’ll be learning the language at home or in Vietnam.

As a traveler, it’s our responsibility to do the best we can to respect the foreign culture and its etiquette, and one way we can do this is by learning the language. Not only this, but learning Vietnamese in Vietnam will magnify your experience significantly.

Is it hard to learn Vietnamese?

Since languages vary in so many areas, what constitutes a hard language to learn is subjective. Are you better at memorizing grammar structures or pronouncing new words? Vietnamese has a very simple grammatical structure, however where most travelers struggle is with the language’s pronunciation.

Aside from stressing words for emphasis, English is a monotone language. Vietnamese, on the other hand, is tonal. Vietnamese has six tones (some argue seven), and simple mistakes will create significant miscommunication. 

For example: bố means ‘dad’ whereas bò means ‘beef’; consider this next time you’re ordering beef noodles (not dad noodles). Small mistakes can lead to hilarious misunderstandings. 

Bring your sense of humor when learning Vietnamese. (Photo credit: Will Davies)

On the brighter side, consonants are very easy for English speakers. Aside from occasionally using ng at the beginning of a word, English speakers won’t struggle pronouncing these. There are also some words that will be very familiar and memorable, for example bia (beer) and ca phe (cafe or coffee).

Furthermore, Vietnamese is predominated by monosyllabic words, making it much easier to remember particular terms; rarely will you come across polysyllabic words. It will take time to learn the language, but if around 90 million people can speak the language, then you can also learn Vietnamese in Vietnam!

Where is the best place to learn Vietnamese?

Obviously, you won’t learn Vietnamese in a better place than Vietnam. However, there may be noticeable differences between northern, central, and southern dialects. For example, ‘r’ is pronounced as [z] in northern dialect, but pronounced as [r] in southern dialect. If you wanted to order egg fried rice, you’d order cơm rang trứng and pronounce ‘rang’ as /zang/ in Hanoi, but /rang/ in Ho Chi Minh City.

Objectively, there is not a best place to learn Vietnamese. However, many programs and guides like Duolingo or Lonely Planet’s Vietnamese Phrasebook & Dictionary will favor Hanoi pronunciation. Learning the northern dialect will also allow you to utilize each of the six tones.

You’ll find out that *everyplace* in Vietnam is the best place to learn Vietnamese.

Regardless of where you are in Vietnam, learning Vietnamese will always be accessible. Whether you’re learning at a language school or you’re interacting with locals, you will have an authentic experience.

Of course, language schools will be more accessible in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang where there is a larger expat community. Tieng Viet Oi and 123Vietnamese are examples of language schools which operate in each of these cities.

While there may be slight differences between northern, central, and southern dialects, you’ll benefit from learning in any region. Ultimately, you’ll be learning from a native speaker wherever you are in Vietnam. The best place to learn Vietnamese is where you reside!

What’s the best way to learn Vietnamese?

Whether you’d rather learn Vietnamese in a classroom environment or in the comfort of your own home, you won’t be short of options. There is no set formula to learning Vietnamese, only a way that’s most suitable for you!

As expected, there’s a correlation between how big the expat community is and how many language schools there are. Bigger cities that attract more tourists will have more reputable language schools which will offer good prices in return for a quality Vietnamese education. While spending your money on language programs is an efficient way to learn Vietnamese, you possess another form of currency—English! 

Why not practice language exchange when out and about?

You are privileged to have the lingua franca as your native language. Many of the locals are interested in learning English, and this is evident when friendly locals approach you to converse and practice their English.

Through learning Vietnamese, you’re also allowing them to practice their English with you. This is not only viable if money is a concern, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience. This may be more engaging for some, as you build a rapport with the native speaker and it feels culturally immersive.

For some people, less is more, and you’ll benefit from easing into language acquisition. Brief interactions with locals will improve your Vietnamese significantly, and you can even take five minutes to practice your Vietnamese on Duolingo! Even reading a Vietnamese phrasebook or dictionary in your spare time goes a long way.

The best way to learn Vietnamese is your way.

What kind of Vietnamese language programs are available? 

There is a diverse range of Vietnamese language programs which will facilitate your language development, so you’re bound to find the one that’s right for you.

1. CSA International: Vietnam National University

Whether you’re a college student or an adult, Center For Study Abroad (CSA) offers Vietnamese enthusiasts an array of subjects to learn, ranging from language, history, business, and many more. 

2. SIT Study Abroad: Intensive Vietnamese Language 

SIT offers an intensive Vietnamese language program which takes place over nine weeks online, with 15 hours a week being devoted to learning the language. With both synchronous and asynchronous activities, you will have significant flexibility throughout the program. This is an excellent way to accelerate your development if you have the time to do so.

3. Projects Abroad: Custom Group Service-Learning Trips

Projects Abroad have been facilitating adventures for volunteers since 1992, with over 100,000 people being sent all over the world. With such experience and an established network of people, you can safely learn Vietnamese while polishing other aspects of your game. Whether you want to develop your journalism skills or gain medical experience, there is a project for everyone.  

4. Tieng Viet Oi

Tieng Viet Oi is a Vietnamese language program for foreigners in popular destinations. It boasts versatility as they conduct private, group, face-to-face, or even online lessons! Students are also provided course books and a flexible schedule. If you’re working your way from north to south or vice versa, you can gather momentum by studying with the same Vietnamese language program throughout your Vietnam experience!

5. High5 Hanoi

High5 Hanoi is an organization that provides foreigners Vietnamese education for free! Usually done at a cafe over a delicious beverage, the language exchange aims to integrate foreigners into the Vietnamese community developing their language skills and cultural awareness.

Compare these programs side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad

What else you should know about learning Vietnamese in Vietnam

We’d like to make you aware of Vietnamese coffee. You’re welcome.

• The influence of speaking Vietnamese in Vietnam must not be underestimated. What you should know is even learning simple phrases such as xin chao (hello) or xin kham on (thank you) makes all the difference in the world. While it may take consistent practice and effort to learn Vietnamese, it will truly elevate your experience. Not only will you traverse the country with fewer problems, locals will be more welcoming of you. 
• Taking the time to learn their language demonstrates the respect you have for their culture, and they will appreciate it greatly. It applies whether you are fluent in Vietnamese or if you are using basic phrases. This is the difference between encounters being for your convenience or being meaningful to your Vietnam experience. Treat Vietnam like your home, and it will feel like home. 
• Be aware that you’ll unintentionally make a lot of people laugh. Ironically, though, you’ll still appear to be more charismatic, as long as you fully embrace speaking in Vietnamese! Someone who tries but makes mistakes is more appreciated than someone unwilling to learn a foreign language. Whether you’re simply ordering cà phê đen instead of a “black coffee” or you respond with đắt quá? instead of “too expensive!” when negotiating a price for fine Vietnamese garments, you’re immersing yourself within this unique and beautiful culture.

Learning Vietnamese will be your greatest adventure yet!

To be able to say that you can speak Vietnamese at any level is a fine feat. Not only because it is a difficult language to learn, but because you took the opportunity to challenge yourself and become engrossed in Vietnamese culture.

Along with the advantage of presenting yourself as more proactive or diverse to employers and peers, learning Vietnamese will improve your experience immeasurably. Your day-to-day routine will include much more meaningful encounters, and you’ll have more opportunities to make friends and become an active member of the local community. Tạm biệt!

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