By aussiematesvietnam 
G’day! Navigating the Language Maze in Vietnam
Fair dinkum, one of the biggest hurdles Tracy and I faced when we first landed in Vietnam nearly two decades ago was figuring out how to communicate with the locals. I remember standing at a street food stall in Hanoi, pointing desperately at a bubbling pot while making what I thought were universally understood eating gestures. The vendor looked at me like I was performing some bizarre Aussie ritual! After almost 20 years living in this beautiful country, we’ve learned a thing or two about getting your message across when you don’t speak the lingo.
Vietnam is an absolute ripper of a destination for us Aussie boomers looking for adventure, culture, and incredible food. But let’s be honest, mate – the language barrier can be a bit of a shocker at first. Vietnamese, with its six tones and completely different structure from English, isn’t something you’ll pick up on the flight over. But don’t let that put you off! You don’t need to be fluent to have a cracking time here.
[IMAGE:vietnamese-street-scene]
So, grab a stubby, settle in, and I’ll share some of the tricks Tracy and I have learned for communicating in Vietnam without losing your marbles – or your way!
The Basics: Learning a Few Vietnamese Phrases
Now, I’m not suggesting you need to become fluent in Vietnamese before your holiday, but knowing a handful of basic phrases will make your trip smoother and earn you plenty of smiles from the locals. Vietnamese people absolutely love it when foreigners make an effort with their language.
Here are a few essential phrases that have saved my bacon countless times:
- Xin chào (sin chow) – Hello
- Cảm ơn (cam un) – Thank you
- Xin lỗi (sin loy) – Excuse me/Sorry
- Bao nhiêu? (bow nyew) – How much?
- Tôi không hiểu (toy khong hee-ew) – I don’t understand
- Phòng vệ sinh (fong vay sin) – Toilet (this one’s a lifesaver!)
I’ll never forget when Tracy confidently used her newly learned Vietnamese at a local market in Hoi An. She’d been practicing “Bao nhiêu?” (How much?) all morning. The vendor was so chuffed that this Aussie lady was speaking Vietnamese that she gave us a special price on some handcrafted souvenirs. Small effort, big rewards!
Mastering the Art of Pointing and Mime
When words fail, and they often will, never underestimate the power of creative pointing and mime. Tracy reckons I could win an Oscar for my “I need a pharmacy” performance – complete with coughing, pointing at my throat, and pretending to take medicine.
A word of warning though, cobber: be mindful of cultural differences when using gestures. For instance, summoning someone with your index finger is considered rude in Vietnam. Instead, extend your arm with your palm facing down and make a patting motion. Also, avoid touching someone’s head, as it’s considered sacred in Vietnamese culture.
[IMAGE:hand-gestures]
One time in a rural area outside of Da Nang, our motorbike broke down. With no Vietnamese language skills and no phone service, I managed to explain our predicament to a local farmer through an elaborate pantomime involving motorbike noises and sad faces. Not only did he understand, but he called his cousin who had a repair shop and helped us get back on the road. True blue legend, that bloke!
Tech to the Rescue: Translation Apps and Tools
Stone the crows, technology has made traveling in Vietnam a whole lot easier since we first arrived! Back in the early 2000s, Tracy and I were armed with only a pocket phrasebook. Now, we’ve got smartphones loaded with translation apps that do the heavy lifting for us.
Here are some ripper translation tools that have saved our bacon:
- Google Translate – The offline feature is particularly useful when you’re exploring rural areas without reliable internet. You can even use the camera feature to translate signs and menus instantly.
- Microsoft Translator – Great for conversation mode, allowing you to have a back-and-forth chat with a Vietnamese speaker.
- Vietnamese Dictionary & Translator – A specialized app for Vietnamese that includes commonly used phrases for travelers.
I remember trying to order vegetarian food for Tracy (she’s been veggo for years) at a local eatery in a tiny village. It was a nightmare until I whipped out Google Translate and showed the waiter “Tôi ăn chay” (I eat vegetarian food). Problem solved, and Tracy wasn’t stuck with another plate of spring rolls!
The Aussie Advantage: Using English in Vietnam
Here’s some good news for us Aussies – you’ll find that in major tourist areas and cities, many Vietnamese people speak at least basic English. The younger generation, in particular, is keen to practice their English skills with tourists.
In places like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Nha Trang, you’ll find menus with English translations, tour guides who speak English, and hotel staff who can understand your needs. However, venture off the beaten track, and you’ll need to rely more on those translation apps and creative gestures we talked about.
[IMAGE:tourist-area-vietnam]
One thing to keep in mind is that Vietnamese people might be shy about their English skills. I’ve found that speaking slowly and clearly (not LOUDLY – they’re not deaf, mate!) and using simple words rather than slang or complicated sentences helps tremendously. And for heaven’s sake, drop the Aussie slang – telling someone you’re “flat out like a lizard drinking” will only get you confused stares!
Cultural Context: Understanding Non-Verbal Communication
Communication isn’t just about words – it’s about understanding the cultural context too. Tracy and I learned this the hard way over the years. Vietnamese culture is generally more indirect than our straight-talking Aussie approach.
Here are some cultural tips that’ll help you navigate social situations:
- Vietnamese people may smile and nod even when they don’t understand you. This doesn’t mean they agree – they’re just being polite.
- Saving face is important, so avoid putting people on the spot or causing embarrassment.
- The concept of personal space is different – don’t be shocked if people stand closer to you than you’re used to.
- Respect for elders is paramount – always address older people first and with greater formality.
I once got into a bit of a sticky situation when I directly told a shop owner their price was too high. In Australia, that’s just honest haggling, but here it caused embarrassment. Tracy quickly smoothed things over by asking, “Do you have another price for regular customers?” This indirect approach worked a treat, and we got our discount without anyone losing face.
Picture This: Visual Communication Tools
Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Before smartphones became ubiquitous, Tracy and I carried a small notebook with drawings of common items we might need – a bus, toilet, hotel, and so on. These days, your phone gallery can serve the same purpose.
I’ve found it useful to keep photos of:
- Your hotel’s business card or the exterior of your accommodation
- Medical items you might need
- Food allergies represented visually
- Screenshots of locations on maps
[IMAGE:pointing-at-phone]
This strategy saved us when we were trying to find a specific type of medication for Tracy’s hay fever. The pharmacist didn’t understand our pronunciation of the medication name, but showing a photo of the package from back home did the trick.
When All Else Fails: Finding Interpreters
If you’re dealing with something important like medical issues, legal matters, or complex transactions, sometimes you need professional help. In major cities, you can hire interpreters for a reasonable fee. Your hotel concierge can often arrange this for you.
Alternatively, university students are often keen to practice their English and might be willing to help for the cost of a meal or a small fee. We’ve made some lifelong friends this way, including a young bloke named Minh who helped us navigate buying furniture when we first set up our apartment in Ho Chi Minh City.
Another option is to join expat Facebook groups for the area you’re visiting. There’s usually someone willing to help translate or offer advice about navigating language barriers.
Learning from Mistakes: Our Biggest Language Blunders
I’d be pulling your leg if I said Tracy and I haven’t made some epic language mistakes over the years. Vietnamese is a tonal language, meaning the same word can have six different meanings depending on how you say it. This leads to some hilarious (and occasionally mortifying) mix-ups.
My personal classic was trying to order “phở” (the famous noodle soup) but getting the tone wrong and effectively asking for something rather inappropriate. The waiter’s eyes nearly popped out of his head before he burst into laughter!
Tracy once thought she was complimenting a shopkeeper’s decoration by saying “dep” (beautiful), but her pronunciation was off, and she ended up saying something completely different. Thankfully, most Vietnamese people are forgiving of our linguistic shortcomings and appreciate the effort.
[IMAGE:laughing-locals]
The key is to laugh at yourself, apologize, and try again. Some of our warmest connections with locals have come from shared laughter over our mangled attempts at Vietnamese.
Wrapping It Up: Embrace the Challenge
After nearly two decades in Vietnam, Tracy and I still don’t speak fluent Vietnamese – and that’s okay! We get by with our basic phrases, translation apps, and the friendliness of the Vietnamese people. The language barrier is just part of the adventure, mate.
Remember that communication is about connection, not perfection. Some of our most memorable experiences have come from those moments when we’ve had to get creative with our communication.
Vietnamese people are generally patient, helpful, and appreciative of any attempt to speak their language. A smile, a respectful attitude, and a sense of humor will take you further than perfect pronunciation ever could.
So, don’t let the language barrier put you off visiting this extraordinary country. Pack your translation app, learn a few basic phrases, and embrace the challenge. Before you know it, you’ll be ordering “một bia” (a beer) like a local and feeling pretty chuffed with yourself.
Safe travels and “hẹn gặp lại” (see you later)!
– Aussie Mates