How to Say Hello in Vietnamese
Quick answer
The most common way to say hello in Vietnamese is Xin chào (pronounced sin chow). It is polite, works at any time of day, and is understood everywhere in Vietnam. In casual settings, Vietnamese speakers drop xin and say Chào followed by a word for the person they are greeting — for example Chào anh to an older man or Chào chị to an older woman.
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The simplest way to say hello
If you learn only one greeting, learn Xin chào. It is polite, safe for any situation, and works whether you are greeting one person or a room.
| Vietnamese | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xin chào | sin chow | Hello (universal, polite) | |
| Chào | chow | Hi (casual — usually followed by a pronoun) | |
| A lô | ah loh | Hello (only when answering the phone) |
Say hi based on who you are greeting
Vietnamese greetings change with the age and relationship of the person. Add the right word after Chào and you will sound natural instead of textbook.
| Vietnamese | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chào anh | chow ahng | Hi (to a man older than you, or a young man) | |
| Chào chị | chow chee | Hi (to a woman older than you, or a young woman) | |
| Chào em | chow em | Hi (to someone younger than you) | |
| Chào bạn | chow bahn | Hi (to a friend or someone your own age) | |
| Chào ông | chow ohng | Hi (to an elderly man, grandfather age) | |
| Chào bà | chow bah | Hi (to an elderly woman, grandmother age) | |
| Chào cô | chow koh | Hi (to a woman around your parents' age, or a female teacher) | |
| Chào chú | chow choo | Hi (to a man around your parents' age) |
Greetings that go beyond hello
| Vietnamese | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bạn khỏe không? | bahn kweh khong | How are you? / Are you well? | |
| Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn | toy kweh, kahm uhn | I'm fine, thank you | |
| Rất vui được gặp bạn | zut voo-ee duh-uhk gahp bahn | Very nice to meet you | |
| Tạm biệt | tahm beet | Goodbye | |
| Hẹn gặp lại | hen gahp lai | See you again |
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce Xin chào?
Say it as sin chow. The x is a soft s sound (not ks), and chào rhymes with the English word now. The à carries a falling tone, so let your voice drop as you say it.
Is Xin chào formal or informal?
Xin chào is polite and completely safe in any situation — with strangers, elders, shopkeepers, or new acquaintances. Among close friends and people your own age, Vietnamese speakers usually drop the xin and just say Chào plus a pronoun, like Chào bạn.
How do you say good morning in Vietnamese?
Vietnamese does not commonly use time-of-day greetings the way English does. The literal Chào buổi sáng (chow boo-oy sang) exists but sounds like a textbook. In real life, people simply say Xin chào at any hour.
Why does hello change depending on the person in Vietnamese?
Vietnamese addresses people by their relationship and relative age rather than a single neutral you. That is why hi becomes Chào anh for an older man, Chào chị for an older woman, or Chào em for someone younger. Matching the right term is a sign of respect.
What is the difference between Xin chào and Chào?
Xin chào is the full, polite greeting and never sounds wrong. Chào on its own is more casual and is normally paired with a pronoun (Chào anh, Chào bạn). Beginners and travelers can rely on Xin chào until the pronoun system feels natural.
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