Vietnam Language: What Do They Speak in Vietnam?
The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. In Vietnamese, the country is called Việt Nam. Vietnamese is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Vietnamese Language
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. A millennium of Chinese rule left a huge layer of Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary, much as Latin shaped English, and later French colonial rule added words like ga (station, from gare). Northern (Hanoi) and southern (Ho Chi Minh City) accents differ noticeably in both tones and consonants. Vietnamese belongs to the Austroasiatic family, making it a distant cousin of Khmer; its closest relative is Muong, spoken in the hills of northern Vietnam. Despite its tones and a large stock of Chinese loanwords, it is not related to Chinese or Thai.
The Vietnamese alphabet (chu Quoc ngu): How Vietnamese is Written
Vietnamese is one of the few Asian languages written in the Latin alphabet. Its script, chu Quoc ngu, was devised by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century and stacks two layers of diacritics: one set shapes the vowels (a, â, ă and so on) and a second set marks the tones, so a single vowel can carry two marks at once. It replaced the older Chinese-based character systems in the early 20th century.
Is Vietnamese a Tonal Language?
Yes, Vietnamese is a tonal language: the northern standard has six tones. The syllable ma can mean ghost, mother, but, tomb, horse or rice seedling depending entirely on tone.
🗨️ Useful Vietnamese Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Vietnamese, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Vietnamese to Learn?
The familiar alphabet means learners can read Vietnamese aloud from day one, a huge advantage over Chinese or Japanese. The US Foreign Service Institute allots it around 1,100 class hours: the tones and the crowded vowel system are the real work, while the grammar, with no conjugation, gender or plurals, is pleasantly simple.
Language Tips for Visitors to Vietnam
The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Vietnamese will go a long way. The country is officially known as Việt Nam in Vietnamese, and the international dialling code is +84.
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Vietnam
What language do they speak in Vietnam?
The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese.
Is English spoken in Vietnam?
English is not an official language in Vietnam. The main language is Vietnamese. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Vietnam called in its own language?
Vietnam is called "Việt Nam" in Vietnamese.
What writing system does Vietnamese use?
Vietnamese is written in the Vietnamese alphabet (chu Quoc ngu). Vietnamese is one of the few Asian languages written in the Latin alphabet. Its script, chu Quoc ngu, was devised by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century and stacks two layers of diacritics: one set shapes the vowels (a, â, ă and so on) and a second set marks the tones, so a single vowel can carry two marks at once. It replaced the older Chinese-based character systems in the early 20th century.
Is Vietnamese a tonal language?
Yes, Vietnamese is a tonal language: the northern standard has six tones. The syllable ma can mean ghost, mother, but, tomb, horse or rice seedling depending entirely on tone.
How do you say hello in Vietnamese?
"Hello" in Vietnamese is "xin chao (sin chow)".
Is Vietnamese hard to learn?
The familiar alphabet means learners can read Vietnamese aloud from day one, a huge advantage over Chinese or Japanese. The US Foreign Service Institute allots it around 1,100 class hours: the tones and the crowded vowel system are the real work, while the grammar, with no conjugation, gender or plurals, is pleasantly simple.
How many official languages does Vietnam have?
Vietnam has one official language: Vietnamese.
Do I need to speak Vietnamese to visit Vietnam?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Vietnamese is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Vietnam?
The international dialling code for Vietnam is +84.
What is the population of Vietnam?
Vietnam has a population of approximately 98M, all of whom use Vietnamese as the official language.