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HOW TO ORDER FOOD IN VIETNAMESE

1. Basic Phrases 

When Entering a Restaurant When you first arrive at a restaurant or street food stall, you can start with these simple phrases:

  • “Xin chào”: Hello!
  • “Cho tôi bàn 2 người.”: A table for two, please

2. How to Order Food in Vietnamese (Most Important Part)

Instead of just pointing at the menu, try using this simple and effective structure:

“Cho tôi + quantity + unit + dish name + nha”

Examples:

  • “Cho tôi một tô phở bò.”: One bowl of beef pho, please
  • “Cho tôi hai ổ bánh mì.”: Two banh mi, please
  • “Cho tôi ba tô bún bò nha.”: Three bowls of bun bo, please

Numbers in Vietnamese:

  • Một: 1 
  • Hai: 2 
  • Ba: 3 
  • Bốn: 4 
  • Năm: 5

In Vietnamese, you usually need a unit word when ordering:

  • Phần: Portion 
  • Tô: Bowl (pho, noodles) 
  • Dĩa: Plate 
  • Ly: Glass 
  • Chai: Bottle 
  • Lon: Can

Examples:

  • “Hai tô phở”: Two bowls of pho
  • “Một dĩa cơm chiên”: One plate of fried rice
  • “Ba ly trà đá”: Three glasses of iced tea

3. Making Special Requests

Vietnamese food is very flexible, so you can easily adjust your dish:

  • Ít cay / Không cay: Less spicy / No spicy 
  • Ít đường / Không đường: Less sugar / No sugar 
  • Ít đá / Không đá: Less ice / No ice 
  • Không rau thơm: No herbs 
  • Không hành: No onion 
  • Không bột ngọt: No MSG

Tip: You can say the phrase and gently shake your head, people will understand quickly.

4. How to Call the Staff Politely 

In Vietnam, snapping fingers or whistling is considered rude. Instead, raise your hand slightly and say: 

  • “Em ơi!”: Most common (for younger staff) 
  • “Anh ơi!” / “Chị ơi!”: For slightly older staff 
  • “Cô ơi!” / “Chú ơi!”: For older people

5. Paying the Bill 

When you’re done eating, you can say: 

  • “Tính tiền nha!”: Check, please 
  • “Cho tôi trả tiền”: I’d like to pay 
  • “Gói mang về ạ.”: Takeaway / Please pack it to go

6. Popular Vietnamese Dishes You Should Know 

To make ordering easier, remember these famous dishes: 

  • Phở bò: Beef noodle soup 
  • Bún bò: Hue-style beef noodle soup
  • Bún chả: Grilled pork with vermicelli 
  • Bánh cuốn: Steamed rice rolls 
  • Bánh xèo: Vietnamese crispy pancake 
  • Gỏi cuốn: Fresh spring rolls 
  • Trà đá: Iced tea 
  • Cà phê sữa đá: Iced coffee with condensed milk

7. Tips for a Better Experience

  • Use your fingers to show numbers if pronunciation is difficult 
  • Always smile: Vietnamese people are very welcoming 
  • Carry cash: Street food vendors usually prefer cash 

Learning these phrases is a great first step toward basic communication. However, to speak Vietnamese naturally and react quickly in real-life situations, you need a supportive environment and expert guidance. 

Want to go beyond just ordering food? Join our Vietnamese Survival Course and learn essential phrases for real-life situations like shopping, transportation, and daily conversations. It’s designed especially for travelers who want a smoother, more local experience in Vietnam.

Contact us now: 
Hotline: 0949 863 413 (WhatsApp, Zalo)
Email: hvajlanguages@gmail.com

 
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