Making Friends
Moving beyond transactions into genuine connections. These phrases help you build friendships and have real conversations.
Cultural Context:
Vietnamese people are genuinely curious about foreigners and eager to practice English. Showing interest in their language opens doors to real friendships and incredible experiences.
Tôi tên là...
Toy ten la...
Literal: "I name is..."
"My name is..."
When to use:
Introducing yourself
Cultural Tip:
Say your name clearly—Vietnamese names are also often nicknames
Bạn tên là gì?
Ban ten la zee?
Literal: "You name is what?"
"What's your name?"
When to use:
Asking someone's name
Cultural Tip:
Follow up by trying to say their name—effort matters
Tôi đến từ Mỹ
Toy den tuh Mee
Literal: "I come from America"
"I'm from America"
When to use:
Telling people where you're from
Cultural Tip:
Replace 'Mỹ' with your country: Anh (UK), Úc (Australia), Canada (Canada)
Bạn từ đâu?
Ban tuh dow?
Literal: "You from where?"
"Where are you from?"
When to use:
Asking where someone is from
Cultural Tip:
Common small talk—people love talking about their hometowns
Tôi thích Việt Nam
Toy tick Vee-et Nam
Literal: "I like Vietnam"
"I love Vietnam"
When to use:
Expressing your appreciation for the country
Cultural Tip:
Makes people light up with pride—very endearing
Bạn thích bia không?
Ban tick bee-a khom?
Literal: "You like beer not?"
"Do you like beer?"
When to use:
Suggesting drinks or making plans
Cultural Tip:
Replace 'bia' with 'cà phê' (coffee) for non-drinkers
Đi uống cà phê không?
Dee oo-ong cah-feh khom?
Literal: "Go drink coffee not?"
"Want to get coffee?"
When to use:
Inviting someone for coffee
Cultural Tip:
Coffee dates are the foundation of Vietnamese social life
Cho tôi số điện thoại
Cho toy so dee-en twa-eye
Literal: "Give me number telephone"
"Can I have your phone number?"
When to use:
Exchanging contact info with new friends
Cultural Tip:
Most people use Zalo (like WhatsApp)—ask for that too
Hôm nay bạn thế nào?
Home nai ban teh now?
Literal: "Today you how?"
"How was your day?"
When to use:
Checking in with friends
Cultural Tip:
Shows you care beyond surface-level conversation
Practice Tips
Start Simple
Master 2-3 phrases before moving on. Use them in real situations. Confidence comes from repetition, not memorization.
Embrace Mistakes
Vietnamese people are incredibly patient and supportive. Your accent will be off—that's okay. Effort matters more than perfection.
Use It Daily
Order coffee in Vietnamese every morning. Say thank you in Vietnamese every time. Language lives in practice, not textbooks.
Ask for Help
"How do you say...?" is a powerful phrase. Locals love teaching their language and will become your best teachers over coffee.