Beginner's Guide to Vietnamese - Learn Vietnamese from Scratch

Ready to start your Vietnamese learning journey? This guide will take you from zero to a solid foundation. Whether you're learning for work, travel, or personal interest, this guide will help you build the fundamentals and confidence you need.

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Pronunciation Guide

Tones & Sound System

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Syllable Chart

Consonant & Vowel Combos

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Word Frequency

Most Common Words

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Typing Guide

Telex & VNI Methods

Why Learn Vietnamese?

Vietnam is one of the most important economies in Southeast Asia. Learning Vietnamese opens doors to career and business opportunities while giving you deeper insight into Vietnam's rich culture and cuisine.

🎯🎯 Five Great Reasons to Learn Vietnamese

1️⃣Cultural Bridge — Connect with Vietnamese culture and understand Southeast Asian heritage

2️⃣Career Opportunities — Expand into the Vietnamese market and boost your competitiveness

3️⃣Travel Convenience — Immerse yourself in local culture and enjoy richer travel experiences

4️⃣Unique Language — Vietnamese uses Latin script with tones — accessible yet fascinating

5️⃣Cognitive Benefits — Learning a second language improves brain flexibility and memory

Four-Stage Learning Roadmap

1️⃣

Master Pronunciation

Build the foundation first:

Learn the six-tone system
Master special vowels (â, ă, ê, ô, ơ, ư)
Practice consonant combinations

Resource: Vietnamese Pronunciation Guide

2️⃣

Learn the Spelling System

Build syllable structure:

Learn letter combination rules
Master syllable structure
Practice reading words

Resource: Vietnamese Syllable Chart

3️⃣

Build Vocabulary

Expand your language base:

Learn high-frequency topic vocabulary
Master greetings and self-introductions
Memorize daily conversation phrases

Resource: Word Frequency List

4️⃣

Learn Grammar

Master expression structures:

Understand basic word order
Learn connecting words
Master modal particles

Resource: Modal Particles Guide

50 Essential Starter Phrases

Vietnamese	English
1. Xin chào!	Hello!
2. Tôi tên là Nam.	My name is Nam.
3. Rất vui được gặp bạn.	Nice to meet you.
4. Bạn khỏe không?	How are you?
5. Tôi đến từ Mỹ.	I am from America.
6. Bạn bao nhiêu tuổi?	How old are you?
7. Tôi 25 tuổi.	I am 25 years old.
8. Bạn làm nghề gì?	What do you do for work?
9. Tôi là giáo viên.	I am a teacher.
10. Xin lỗi!	I am sorry!
11. Không sao.	It is okay. / No problem.
12. Cho tôi menu.	Please give me the menu.
13. Một bát phở bò.	One bowl of beef pho.
14. Tôi muốn gọi món.	I want to order.
15. Bao nhiêu tiền?	How much is it?
16. Quá đắt!	Too expensive!
17. Rẻ hơn được không?	Can you make it cheaper?
18. Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?	Where is the restroom?
19. Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải.	Go straight then turn right.
20. Bệnh viện ở đâu?	Where is the hospital?
21. Cảm ơn!	Thank you!
22. Tạm biệt!	Goodbye!
23. Hẹn gặp lại!	See you again!
24. Tôi không hiểu.	I do not understand.
25. Bạn nói chậm được không?	Can you speak more slowly?
26. Tôi đang học tiếng Việt.	I am learning Vietnamese.
27. Có wifi không?	Is there wifi?
28. Mật khẩu là gì?	What is the password?
29. Tôi cần giúp đỡ.	I need help.
30. Gọi cảnh sát!	Call the police!
31. Tôi bị lạc đường.	I am lost.
32. Bạn có thể giúp tôi không?	Can you help me?
33. Mấy giờ rồi?	What time is it?
34. Hôm nay thứ mấy?	What day is today?
35. Trời nóng quá!	It is so hot!
36. Tôi đói rồi.	I am hungry.
37. Tôi khát nước.	I am thirsty.
38. Tôi mệt rồi.	I am tired.
39. Tôi muốn về nhà.	I want to go home.
40. Chúc ngủ ngon!	Good night!
41. Chúc may mắn!	Good luck!
42. Sinh nhật vui vẻ!	Happy birthday!
43. Chúc mừng năm mới!	Happy New Year!
44. Tôi yêu Việt Nam.	I love Vietnam.
45. Món này ngon lắm!	This dish is delicious!
46. Tôi không thích cay.	I do not like spicy food.
47. Cho tôi tính tiền.	Can I have the bill please?
48. Tôi muốn đổi tiền.	I want to exchange money.
49. Xe buýt đến bao giờ?	When does the bus arrive?
50. Tôi sẽ quay lại.	I will come back.

Learning Resources & Tools

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Typing Tools

Telex Input Method
VNI Input Method
Online Vietnamese Keyboard

Recommended: Telex is easiest

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Dictionaries

tratu.coviet.vn
vdict.com
Google Translate

Tip: English queries are more accurate

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Listening Resources

YouTube Vietnamese lessons
VOA Vietnamese news
Vietnamese pop songs

Tip: Start with Northern accent

Common Learning Pitfalls

✗❌ Mistake 1: Ignoring Tones

Vietnamese tones are essential — the same syllable with different tones means completely different things. Solution: Practice tones from day one.

✗❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring Regional Differences

Vietnamese has significant North-South accent differences. Solution: Start with Northern accent, then learn Southern features.

✗❌ Mistake 3: Only Memorizing Words

Vocabulary is foundational, but grammar matters too. Solution: For every 5 words learned, learn one related sentence.

✗❌ Mistake 4: Fear of Making Mistakes

Many people don't practice because they're afraid of errors. Solution: Speak boldly — mistakes are the best teachers.

💡Mindset matters

Language learning is an ongoing process — don't get discouraged by slow progress. Maintain regular study habits, even just 15-30 minutes a day. Remember: you're not just learning a language, you're opening a window to a new culture!

Your Learning Roadmap

If you're a complete beginner, here's the recommended learning sequence:

🗺️🗺️ Vietnamese Learning Path

Week 1: Master Pronunciation

Familiarize yourself with the pronunciation system, master the six tones

Week 2: Learn Syllable Structure

Use the syllable chart to practice reading

Week 3: Basic Greetings & Pronouns

Learn basic greetings and pronouns/kinship terms

Week 4: Modal Particles

Study modal particles to sound more natural

Ongoing: Expand Vocabulary

Expand vocabulary through the word frequency list

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this Beginner's Guide to Vietnamese! You now have a solid framework for your learning journey.

🚀🚀 Start Your Vietnamese Journey

Learning Vietnamese is no longer an unreachable dream. You now have a complete learning map and practical tools. Start with the first step!

💡 Remember: Language learning requires patience. Don't be afraid of making mistakes — every error is an opportunity to improve!

Start with Pronunciation