Master essential language tips for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand! Learn survival phrases, cultural etiquette, and book eco-friendly Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, or Thailand Tours with Legend Travel Group for a seamless Southeast Asia adventure. Deposit only 10% until 30 days before departure!
Break the ice with a smile and a phrase (Source: Internet)Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, personally guiding and organizing tours for over 100,000 travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights and guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys. By Legend Travel Group.
Taste Thailand, speak Thailand (Source: Internet)Southeast Asia’s trio—Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand—welcomes millions of international travelers with vibrant cultures, ancient temples, and world-class cuisine. While English is common in tourist hubs, knowing basic local phrases in Vietnamese, Khmer, and Thai transforms your journey from transactional to transformative. Whether bargaining at Hanoi’s Dong Xuan Market, greeting monks in Siem Reap, or ordering pad thai in Bangkok, a few well-placed words open doors to authentic experiences.
This guide equips you with survival phrases, pronunciation tips, and cultural do’s and don’ts across all three countries. Pair it with expertly crafted Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, or Thailand Tours from Legend Travel Group—where you only deposit 10% until 30 days before departure, keeping your travel plans flexible and stress-free.
|
Country |
Hello |
Thank You |
Yes / No |
Excuse Me / Sorry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vietnam |
Xin chào (sin chow) |
Cảm ơn (kahm uhn) |
Có / Không (koh / kohng) |
Xin lỗi (sin loy) |
|
Cambodia |
Suosdey (soo-a-sday) |
Or kun (or koon) |
Baat / Te (baht / teh) |
Som toh (som toe) |
|
Thailand |
Sawasdee (krub/ka) |
Khob khun (krub/ka) |
Chai / Mai chai |
Khor thoad (krub/ka) |
Tip: In Thailand, men add “krub” and women add “ka” for politeness. In Cambodia, a slight bow with a sampeah (palms together) accompanies “Suosdey.”
|
Phrase |
Vietnam |
Cambodia |
Thailand |
|---|---|---|---|
|
How much? |
Bao nhiêu? (bow nyew?) |
Thlai ponman? |
Tao rai? (krub/ka) |
|
Too expensive |
Đắt quá (daht kwa) |
Thlai nas (thlai nah) |
Phaeng pai (krub/ka) |
|
Can you lower? |
Giảm được không? |
Som rot thlai? |
Lot noi dai mai? |
|
1 / 2 / 3 |
Một / Hai / Ba |
Muy / Pi / Bei |
Nueng / Song / Sam |
Pro Tip: Smile, use open palms, and walk away politely if the price doesn’t suit—vendors often call you back with a better deal.
|
Phrase |
Vietnam |
Cambodia |
Thailand |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delicious |
Ngon (ngohn) |
Chha ngam (chah ngahm) |
Aroy (aroy) |
|
Vegetarian |
Ăn chay (an chai) |
Ahara jay (ah-hara jay) |
Mang sa wirat (krub/ka) |
|
No spice |
Không cay (kohng kai) |
Ot somlot (ot som-lot) |
Mai phet (krub/ka) |
|
Check, please |
Tính tiền (teen tee-en) |
Kit loy (kit loy) |
Chek bin (krub/ka) |
Cultural Note: In Vietnam, sharing dishes family-style is common. In Cambodia and Thailand, never stick chopsticks upright in rice—it mimics funeral rites.
|
Phrase |
Vietnam |
Cambodia |
Thailand |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Where is…? |
…ở đâu? (uh dow?) |
…now ai na? |
…yoo tee nai? (krub/ka) |
|
Airport |
Sân bay (sun bai) |
Aekkarayan (air-karayan) |
Sanam bin (krub/ka) |
|
Left / Right |
Trái / Phải |
Chhveng / Sdam |
Sai / Khwa |
|
Stop here |
Dừng lại đây |
Chop tey (chop tay) |
Jod tee nee (krub/ka) |
Travel Hack: Use ride-hailing apps (Grab in all three countries) and show the driver your destination in local script.
|
Phrase |
Vietnam |
Cambodia |
Thailand |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Help! |
Cứu với! (koo voy!) |
Juay phoung! |
Chuay duay! (krub/ka) |
|
Hospital |
Bệnh viện (ben vee-en) |
Moneakear (mo-nee-akar) |
Rong phayaban (krub/ka) |
|
Police |
Công an (kohng an) |
Police (po-lees) |
Tamruat (krub/ka) |
|
I’m lost |
Tôi bị lạc (toy bee lak) |
Khnyom vinh (khnom ving) |
Chan long tang (krub/ka) |
Safety Tip: Save local emergency numbers: Vietnam (113), Cambodia (117), Thailand (191).
Your survival kit for Southeast Asia (Source: Internet)Remove Shoes: Always before entering temples, homestays, or local homes.
Head & Feet: The head is sacred—avoid touching. Feet are lowly—never point them at people or Buddha images.
Monks: Women should not touch monks or hand items directly (place on a surface).
Wai/Sampeah/Bow: Return the gesture when greeted—shows respect.
Smile: The universal language—use it often, even during misunderstandings.
Book your Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, or Thailand Tours with Legend Travel Group and travel with confidence:
Duration: 10 days
Highlights: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City
Language Perk: Local guides teach market bargaining in Vietnamese
Price: From $1,299/person
Deposit: Only 10% until 30 days before departure
Duration: 7 days
Highlights: Angkor Wat sunrise, Battambang bamboo train, Phnom Penh
Language Perk: Khmer phrasebook + monk blessing ceremony
Price: From $899/person
Deposit: Only 10% until 30 days before departure
Duration: 12 days
Highlights: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Samui
Language Perk: Thai cooking class with local market phrases
Price: From $1,599/person
Deposit: Only 10% until 30 days before departure
Book now at legendtravelgroup.com — your peace-of-mind Southeast Asia adventure awaits!
Numbers = savings (Source: Internet)Download Offline Translators: Google Translate (with camera feature for menus/signs)
Carry a Phrase Card: Laminated with key phrases in English + local script
Learn Tones: Vietnamese (6 tones), Thai (5 tones)—practice with locals
Use Numbers: Write prices to avoid confusion
Smile & Gesture: When words fail, kindness prevails
Connect beyond words (Source: Internet)|
Expense Category |
Vietnam (VND) |
Cambodia (KHR) |
Thailand (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Street Food Meal |
30,000–60,000 |
4,000–8,000 |
40–80 |
|
Local SIM (1GB) |
100,000 |
5,000 |
150 |
|
Tuk-Tuk/Motorbike Taxi |
20,000–50,000 |
4,000–8,000 |
30–100 |
|
Temple Entry |
25,000–200,000 |
Free–$37 (Angkor) |
30–500 |
Daily Budget (Per Person):
Budget: $25–$50
Mid-range: $50–$100
Luxury: $100–$200
Do I need to speak the local language?
No, but 5–10 phrases make a world of difference in respect and experience.
Is English widely spoken?
Yes in tourist areas, less so in rural villages.
How do I pronounce tones?
Practice with locals or apps—consistency matters more than perfection.
Can I use one phrasebook for all three?
No—languages are distinct. Use this guide or Legend Travel Group’s digital phrasebook.
What if I make a mistake?
Smile, apologize (“xin lỗi” / “som toh” / “khor thoad”), and try again.
Grace in gesture, power in politeness (Source: Internet)All Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, and Thailand Tours include:
Carbon-offset transportation
Support for local artisans and communities
Reusable water bottles and zero single-use plastic
Digital itineraries to reduce paper waste
Book your language-ready adventure at legendtravelgroup.com — deposit just 10% and keep your peace of mind until 30 days before departure.
Mastering basic language tips for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand isn’t just about communication—it’s about connection. A simple “xin chào,” “suosdey,” or “sawasdee” opens hearts, lowers prices, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
Let Legend Travel Group handle the details while you focus on the magic. With Vietnam Travel, Cambodia Travel, and Thailand Travel designed for curious explorers, your only job is to show up, speak up, and soak it all in.
Ready to talk the talk and walk the walk?
Book your tour today at legendtravelgroup.com — only 10% deposit required until 30 days before departure.
By Legend Travel Group.
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