Vietnamese greetings: 10 essential phrases you can use today

Vietnam’s rich culture shines through its language, especially in how people greet each other. Learning a few basic Vietnamese greetings can make a real difference when traveling or connecting with Vietnamese speakers.

Planning a trip to Vietnam or just expanding your language skills? Mastering these friendly greetings will help you make a good impression and show respect for the culture.

What are the most common Vietnamese greetings?

Greetings in Vietnamese go beyond simple hellos – they show respect and acknowledge the social hierarchy that’s so important in Vietnamese society. Age, social status, and relationships all affect how people greet each other, making Vietnamese greetings more layered than in Western languages.

Vietnamese people value politeness when greeting others, so knowing these phrases will help you feel more comfortable in social situations. Ready to learn the 10 most useful Vietnamese greetings you can start using today?

1. Xin chào: Universal hello

Xin chào (pronounced “sin chow”) is the most versatile greeting in Vietnamese, simply meaning “hello.” You can use this friendly phrase everywhere – from meeting new friends to greeting shopkeepers or starting a conversation with a stranger.

The pronunciation might seem tricky at first with its tones: xin has a mid-level tone while chào drops slightly at the end. Try listening to native speakers say it a few times, then practice until it feels natural.

Just give it a try! Vietnamese speakers always appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect yet. This simple greeting will bring smiles and open doors wherever you go in Vietnam.

2. Chào bạn/anh/chị: Greeting with pronouns

Vietnamese greetings become more personal when you add the right pronoun after chào. These pronouns help you connect with people according to their age and status.

Bạn works like “friend” and fits perfectly when greeting peers or people around your age. It’s casual, friendly, and safe when you’re not sure about the social dynamics.

Anh is your go-to for men who are older than you, while chị serves the same purpose for women. Using these correctly shows you respect Vietnamese social customs where age differences – even by just one year – matter significantly.

When you use the right pronoun, Vietnamese speakers will often smile with appreciation. This small detail shows you’ve taken time to understand their culture, making your greeting much warmer than a simple “hello.”

3. Chào buổi sáng: Morning greeting

Chào buổi sáng means “good morning” and adds a warm touch to your early conversations in Vietnamese. This friendly greeting helps you connect with locals right from the start of your day.

You’ll hear this phrase from sunrise until about 10 or 11 AM when Vietnamese speakers naturally transition to afternoon greetings. It works perfectly in hotels, cafés, and when meeting colleagues or new friends in the morning hours.

4. Chào buổi chiều: Afternoon greeting

Chào buổi chiều brightens up your Vietnamese conversations from around 11 AM until 5 PM. This friendly afternoon greeting fits perfectly when you’re out enjoying lunch, exploring local markets, or meeting new people during the day.

Vietnamese speakers naturally transition to this phrase after the morning hours pass. Using it shows you’re paying attention to cultural details that many visitors miss.

The warmth of this greeting works everywhere – from casual street encounters to business meetings. Next time you enter a café or shop in the afternoon, try saying chào buổi chiều and watch how locals respond with smiles and appreciation for your effort!

5. Chào buổi tối: Evening greeting

Chào buổi tối is your go-to greeting once evening arrives in Vietnam, typically from 5 PM onward. This warm phrase fits perfectly when you’re enjoying street food dinners, meeting locals for evening coffee, or checking into your guesthouse after sunset.

Vietnamese doesn’t separate evening and night greetings – this single friendly phrase covers all your evening social needs! The timing follows the natural rhythm of daylight, so you’ll hear it as soon as the afternoon glow begins to fade.

You’ll notice chào buổi tối everywhere from night markets to family gatherings. When you use this greeting, Vietnamese speakers often respond with genuine appreciation for your attention to their time-specific greeting customs.

6. Khoẻ không?: How to ask about well-being

After your initial greeting, Khoẻ không? is the perfect follow-up that shows you care. This friendly question literally means “Healthy or not?” and works just like “How are you?” in English conversations.

The rising tone on không signals you’re asking a question, making your Vietnamese sound more natural. People will smile when you add this thoughtful touch to your greetings instead of stopping after hello!

When someone asks you this question, you can simply reply with Tôi khoẻ, cảm ơn (I am well, thank you) or Tôi rất khoẻ (I am very well) if you are feeling great. Among friends, a quick Khoẻ with a smile works perfectly.

Vietnamese culture appreciates modest responses, so keep your reply warm but not over-the-top enthusiastic. This balanced approach helps you connect more authentically with Vietnamese speakers.

7. Tên bạn là gì?: Asking someone’s name

After your friendly greetings, Tên bạn là gì? (What is your name?) helps you connect on a more personal level. This simple question opens up your conversation possibilities.

Vietnamese speakers value the back-and-forth nature of introductions. When someone asks your name, they’ll expect you to return the question! You can smoothly respond with “Tôi tên là [your name]. Còn bạn?” (“My name is [your name]. And you?”).

This exchange happens naturally in Vietnam – whether you’re chatting with your server at a café or meeting someone at a local market. The warmth of sharing names creates an instant connection that makes your travel experiences so much richer!

8. Rất vui được gặp bạn: Expressing pleasure at meeting

Rất vui được gặp bạn (I am happy to meet you) gives you a warm, friendly way to greet new Vietnamese connections. This phrase works perfectly after learning someone’s name and helps create that positive first impression.

The melody of this greeting matters! Focus on the rising tone in vui (happy) and the falling tone in gặp (meet). When you get these tones right, your Vietnamese greeting sounds much more natural and authentic.

Try using this phrase next time you’re introduced to someone new – you’ll likely receive smiles and appreciation for your effort. It’s these small cultural touches that help build meaningful connections when speaking Vietnamese.

9. Tạm biệt: Saying goodbye politely

Tạm biệt gives you the perfect friendly goodbye to wrap up any Vietnamese conversation! This versatile phrase fits well whether you are chatting with new friends or speaking in more professional settings.

When leaving a local café or small shop, a simple tạm biệt with a smile creates that warm connection Vietnamese speakers value. It’s much more thoughtful than just walking away!

For slightly more formal goodbyes – like ending a business meeting or thanking a tour guide – you can add a gentle nod while saying tạm biệt. The phrase keeps its friendly tone while showing appropriate respect.

Vietnamese speakers notice and appreciate when visitors take time to learn proper farewells. Your effort to use tạm biệt instead of an English goodbye shows genuine interest in connecting with the culture!

10. Hẹn gặp lại: See you again

Hẹn gặp lại (appointment to meet again) brings a friendly, hopeful tone to your Vietnamese farewells! This phrase shows that you look forward to the next encounter.

Vietnamese speakers light up when they hear this phrase from visitors because it signals genuine connection rather than just politeness. It’s perfect for ending conversations with new friends, shopkeepers you’ve enjoyed chatting with, or anyone you hope to see again.

The melody matters here – practice the falling-rising tone in hẹn and the falling tone in lại to sound more natural. Next time you’re parting ways after a pleasant meal or conversation, try adding this warm phrase – it’s like planting a seed for your next Vietnamese adventure!

Practice Vietnamese greetings with exercises

Let’s put your new greeting skills to the test! These quick practice activities will help you remember these phrases when you need them most. A little practice goes a long way!

Fill-in-the-blank

Complete each sentence with the right Vietnamese greeting:

1. When meeting someone in the evening: “__.”
2. To ask how someone is feeling: “__?”
3. After learning someone’s name at a meeting: “__.”
4. When saying goodbye to a shopkeeper you hope to see again: “__.”
5. When greeting an older woman in the morning: “_ _.”

Multiple-choice

Choose the best greeting for each situation:

1. You’re entering a café at 2 PM. Which greeting works best? a) Chào buổi sáng b) Chào buổi chiều c) Chào buổi tối
2. You’re meeting someone about your age. How would you greet them? a) Chào anh b) Chào bạn c) Chào chị
3. You’ve just been introduced to someone at a gathering. What would you say? a) Tạm biệt b) Khoẻ không? c) Rất vui được gặp bạn

Continuing your Vietnamese journey with Preply

Congratulations on learning these ten Vietnamese greetings! You’ve taken the first exciting steps toward meaningful conversations with Vietnamese speakers. Each phrase – from the friendly xin chào to the hopeful hẹn gặp lại – opens new doors for connection.

Want to sound even more natural with your new phrases? A Vietnamese tutor can help you nail those tricky tones and guide you through pronoun choices that might otherwise take months to figure out on your own. They’ll catch small mistakes before they become habits!

The difference between memorized phrases and confident conversation often comes down to personalized practice. Ready to master authentic greetings with expert guidance? Find a tutor and start learning today.

Answers to Vietnamese greetings exercises

Ready to check your work? Let’s see how you did with those practice activities! Remember, making mistakes is part of the learning journey.

Answers to fill-in-the-blank exercises

1. When meeting someone in the evening: Chào buổi tối
2. To ask how someone is feeling: Khoẻ không?
3. After learning someone’s name at a meeting: Rất vui được gặp bạn
4. When saying goodbye to a shopkeeper you hope to see again: Hẹn gặp lại
5. When greeting an older woman in the morning: Chào buổi sáng chị

Answers to multiple-choice exercises

1. You’re entering a café at 2 PM: b) Chào buổi chiều
2. You’re meeting someone about your age: b) Chào bạn
3. You’ve just been introduced to someone at a gathering: c) Rất vui được gặp bạn

How did you do? Even getting a few right means you’re making progress! Keep practicing these phrases, and soon they’ll become second nature in your Vietnamese conversations.