Languages Spoken in Vietnam: Do they Speak English in Vietnam?

Vietnam is an exotic yet super cheap tourist destination, from its War remnants and hidden caves to its bustling city streets and limestone mountains. Yet, before going there, you may be wondering, “Do they speak English in Vietnam?” 

While some statistics estimate that around 50% of the Vietnamese population has some basic English under their belt, after traveling through northern Vietnam for over a month through cities and countryside, I would say this is a complete overestimation. 

It can be overwhelming if you don’t speak the language of the country you’ll be visiting, but this should not discourage you from exploring an amazing country like Vietnam. But, it would be helpful to learn some basics beforehand and find alternative ways to overcome language barriers.

To prepare for your journey, we’ve put together a brief guide to languages spoken in Vietnam.

Do They Speak English In Vietnam?

If you account for all 97 million people living in Vietnam, then no, most locals do not speak English. Based on my experience, it seems that most locals in Vietnam do not speak English despite some estimates claiming that 50% of the population speaks basic English.

When you travel, you will primarily communicate with Vietnamese people who work in the tourist, hospitality, or retail industries and generally possess more English-speaking skills to help foreign customers. In cities, there is a higher chance of encountering English speakers. However, in rural areas, you’re really out of luck.

What Percent of Vietnam speaks English?

It is difficult to determine the exact number, but the percentage of English speakers in Vietnam’s population is relatively low, based on my interactions with locals. Although English is widely taught in Vietnamese schools as a second language, there is still a lack of practice in daily life. This is due mainly to Vietnam’s monoculture, with 85 to 90 percent of the population being native Vietnamese.

Is English common in Vietnam?

English is not commonly spoken in Vietnam, although it is gaining popularity among the young people. The country has made efforts to gradually increase the number of English speakers by introducing the language into their educational system, but there is still a long way to go before English becomes widespread in Vietnam.

Why is it hard for Vietnamese to learn English?

It is difficult for Vietnamese to learn English due to a lack of practice. There are very few opportunities to practice speaking a foreign language outside of school, as many locals do not come in contact with native English speakers on a daily basis.

What part of Vietnam speaks the most English?

In general, more English is spoken in main cities than in rural areas. For example, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi are the two largest cities in Vietnam, and they both have a large number of people who speak English relatively well. Finding English-speaking staff at hotels and other tourist attractions in these two cities is also easier.

Languages Spoken in Vietnam

What Languages Do They Speak In Vietnam?

Vietnam only has one official language: Vietnamese, the main language spoken by over 85% of the population. It belongs to the Austroasiatic family and has a tonal system with six different tones. There are also a number of Vietnamese dialects depending on in you live in the north, central, or southern Vietnam.

How many languages are spoken in Vietnam?

In addition to Vietnamese, there are several minority languages spoken in Vietnam. Each language contributes to less than 2% of the total population. These include Chinese, Khmer, Man, Miao, Nung, and various languages of the ethnic minority groups in Vietnam, such as Mường, Thái, and H’Mông.

Do Vietnam people speak Spanish?

No, most people in Vietnam do not speak Spanish. Although some may know a few words and phrases, Spanish is not commonly spoken in Vietnam.

Do parts of Vietnam speak French?

Yes, some parts of Vietnam still speak French. Vietnam was under French colonial rule for almost a century, so at the time, the French language was widely used in schools and government institutions. While few people speak French in Vietnam today, many people from the older generation can converse fluently.

Traveling to Vietnam: Can I visit Vietnam without knowing Vietnamese?

Yes, it is totally possible to visit Vietnam without knowing Vietnamese, and you 100% should! Most tourist attractions and popular hotels are equipped with bilingual staff. Plus, many restaurants and shops in cities have menus written in both Vietnamese and English.

Can you get by in Vietnam with English?

Although English is less prevalent than in other countries in the Southeast Asia region (like Indonesia), it is still possible to get by with English. Most people working in the tourism industry, such as restaurant staff and taxi drivers, have basic English proficiency. Additionally, many street signs and other public notices are also written in English, making it easier to navigate.

And even if you are in smaller towns, we all have Google Translate to help us now. If gestures alone aren’t working, pre-download the Vietnamese language on Google Translate or get a SIM card. The app also includes voice recognition for those who prefer speaking to typing.

Travel Tip! Because Vietnamese is a tonal language, the direct camera-to-text translation is not very accurate.

Can you live in Vietnam without speaking Vietnamese?

Yes, it is possible to live in Vietnam without speaking Vietnamese. Vietnam’s major cities Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, have a large number of English-speaking residents who can help you get situated with living in a new country. If you choose to live in an expat neighborhood, it will be filled with native English speakers.

Many expats living in Vietnam take classes to learn Vietnamese, which can help with more complex tasks such as paperwork or banking. Living in Vietnam without speaking Vietnamese can be done, but if you plan to stay long, life would be much easier if you knew a bit of the language.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases to Use on Your Travels

If you want to make the locals smile, knowing a few phrases in Vietnamese can go a long way in showing the locals that you appreciate their culture.

I’m the first to say Vietnamese pronunciation is HARD, like VERY HARD. And I speak a tonal language. But its foundations are easy-ish to learn.

Below are some basic Vietnamese phrases that could come in handy during your travels:

• Xin Chào (sin chow): Hello
• Cảm Ơn (gam un): Thank you
• Dạ / Không (yah / comb): Yes / No
• Xin Lỗi (sin loy): Excuse Me
• Tôi không hiểu. (toy comb hey-oo): I don’t understand
• Chậm lại (chum lie): Slow down
• Ngon quá (ngon wha): Very delicious!
• Bao nhiêu? (bow nyew): How much?
• Mắc quá (mack wha): Too expensive!
• Tôi muốn (toy muon): I want

Is Vietnam an easy language to learn?

Vietnamese is considered an easier language to learn than some other languages mainly because it uses the same English alphabet and has relatively simple grammar, with fewer verb conjugations.

Where people really struggle with is pronunciation and comprehension, especially if they had not been exposed to tonal languages before. It can be challenging to distinguish between the six tones, and each tone drastically changes the word’s meaning.

Final Thoughts: Do They Speak English In Vietnam?

While you don’t need to be fluent in Vietnamese to travel or rent a scooter around the country, knowing some key Vietnamese phrases can enhance your travel experience. English may be spoken to some extent in big touristy cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Ha Long Bay, but less widely spoken in rural areas like the Ha Giang Loop.

But, just download Google Translate and get a SIM card, and you’ll get by just fine. Vietnam is no stranger to foreign tourists, and most locals are patient and kind enough to help you get around.