Master essential phrases in Vietnamese, Khmer, Lao & Thai before your trip! Perfect survival language guide for Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, Laos Tours, and Thailand Tours with Legend Travel Group — only 10% deposit, pay the rest 30 days before departure.
Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years guiding more than 100,000 international travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide is proudly crafted by Legend Travel Group (since 2008) based on real guest experiences and daily interactions on our Vietnam Travel, Cambodia Travel, Laos Travel, and Thailand Travel journeys.
Sabaidee starts the day right (Source: Internet)Nothing opens doors faster than a warm “xin chào”, “soksabai”, “sabaidee”, or “sawasdee kráp/kâ” in the right country. Locals light up when travellers make the effort — and you’ll often receive bigger smiles, better prices, and genuine friendships. These simple language tips will turn your Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, Laos Tours, and Thailand Tours from good to unforgettable.
Legend Travel Group believes that speaking even a few local words creates deeper connections. That’s why every guest on our journeys receives a beautifully designed pocket phrase card — and now we share the best ones with you.
Hello → Xin chào (seen chow)
Thank you → Cảm ơn (gam un) | Thank you very much → Cảm ơn nhiều (gam un nyiew)
Yes / No → Có / Không (gaw / kohng)
Delicious → Ngon (ngon – roll the “ng”)
How much? → Bao nhiêu tiền? (bow nyew tee-en)
Can you make it cheaper? → Rẻ hơn được không? (reh her duhk kohng)
Cheers! → Một… hai… ba… dô! (mote… high… ba… yo!)
Beautiful → Đẹp (dep)
Hello → Suosdei (soo-a sdei)
Thank you → Arkun (aw-koon) | Thank you very much → Arkun cheraan (aw-koon cheh-rahn)
Yes (man) / Yes (woman) → Baat / Cha
No → Tei / Ot teh
Delicious → Chhnganh (chh-nganh)
How much? → Tlai ponmaan? (tlai pon-mahn)
Cheers! → Chul muoy! (chul moo-ey)
Hello → Sabaidee (sa-bai-dee)
Thank you → Khob chai (khob jai) | Thank you very much → Khob chai lai lai (khob jai lai lai)
Yes / No → Doi / Bor (doy / baw)
Delicious → Sàep lai (sep lai)
How much? → Thao dai? (tao dai)
Cheers! → Khob chai lai deu! (khob jai lai der)
Hello (male) → Sawasdee kráp | Hello (female) → Sawasdee kâ
Thank you (male) → Khob khun kráp | Thank you (female) → Khob khun kâ
Yes / No → Chai / Mâi chai
Delicious → Aroy (a-roy)
How much? → Gee bàht? (gee baht)
Can you make it cheaper? → Lót nóoy dài mâi? (lot noy dai mai)
Cheers! → Chon gaew! (chôn gâeo)
The universal language of delicious (Source: Internet)Smile when you speak — Southeast Asians respond to friendliness more than perfect tones.
“Ng” at the beginning of words (Vietnam & Laos) — think of the sound in “sing” but at the start.
Rising tone = question (almost all languages here).
Ending particles: kráp/kâ (Thai), doi (Lao), baat/cha (Khmer) — say them politely and you’re golden.
I’m vegetarian → Tôi ăn chay (VN) | K’nyom nhoam srei (KH) | Khoy gin jeh (LA) | Chan gin jay (TH)
No spicy please → Không cay (VN) | Ot pet (KH) | Bor phet (LA) | Mâi phet (TH)
One more, please → Thêm một cái nữa (VN) | Muoy tiet (KH) | Eu eek (LA) | Eek nùeng (TH)
Kids understand smiles in every language (Source: Internet)Help! → Cứu với! (VN) | Chuoy phoang! (KH) | Suay dua! (LA) | Chuay duay! (TH)
Sorry / Excuse me → Xin lỗi (VN) | Som toh (KH) | Khor thoad (LA) | Khor thoad kráp/kâ (TH)
Where is the toilet? → Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? (VN) | Bongkun nov ei na? (KH) | Hong nam yoo sai? (LA) | Hong nam yoo tee nai kráp/kâ? (TH)
Every guest on our Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, Laos Tours, and Thailand Tours receives our beautifully designed, waterproof phrase card with:
QR codes that pronounce every phrase
Cute illustrations
Emergency contacts
Space to add your own words
Book any tour with us and it’s yours — completely free.
Rẻ hơn được không? — Works every time (Source: Internet)Always smile — it’s more important than perfect pronunciation
Use both hands when giving or receiving anything (especially in Cambodia & Thailand)
Never touch someone’s head (all four countries)
Remove shoes before entering homes or certain temples
Speak softly — loud voices are considered impolite
Cheers in four languages! (Source: Internet)Learning just 10 phrases in each country will transform your journey. From bargaining in Hanoi’s Old Quarter to ordering som tam in Bangkok night markets, these simple words create magical moments.
Legend Travel Group makes it easy: only 10% deposit to secure your spot, final payment just 30 days before departure — total peace of mind while you practice your “xin chào”, “suosdei”, “sabaidee”, and “sawasdee”.
Book your Vietnam Travel, Cambodia Travel, Laos Travel, or Thailand Travel today at https://www.legendtravelgroup.com and receive our exclusive multilingual phrase kit on arrival!
By Legend Travel Group – Crafting Unforgettable Southeast Asian Journeys Since 2008
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