Hi everyone!
If you’re planning to travel to Vietnam or just want to impress your Vietnamese friends at a local restaurant, here are some super useful phrases that can help you order food like a pro Vietnamese food is amazing, and knowing just a few key expressions can really enhance your experience.
1. Getting the waiter’s attention
Em ơi! – Excuse me! (literally “Hey younger one!”, used politely for servers)
Anh ơi! / Chị ơi! – Excuse me! (for male/female server respectively)
2. Asking for the menu
Cho tôi xem thực đơn được không? – Can I see the menu, please?
3. Ordering food
Tôi muốn gọi món. – I’d like to order.
Cho tôi một phở bò. – I’d like one beef pho.
Không cay, làm ơn. – No spice, please.
4. Asking for recommendations
Món nào ngon ở đây? – What’s good here?
Bạn đề xuất món gì? – What do you recommend?
5. Requesting drinks
Cho tôi một ly cà phê sữa đá. – I’d like a Vietnamese iced milk coffee.
Nước lọc / Nước suối, làm ơn. – Plain water / bottled water, please.
6. Checking the bill
Tính tiền, làm ơn. – The bill, please.
Tổng cộng bao nhiêu? – How much is it in total?
7. Expressing thanks
Cảm ơn! – Thank you!
Cảm ơn nhiều! – Thank you very much!
These basic phrases will help you feel more confident when eating out in Vietnam. If you need a guide on how to read the menu to help you even better with your ordering skill, check out this link: How To Read A Menu In Vietnamese
Locals always appreciate it when visitors make the effort to speak the language, even a little bit goes a long way!
BONUS: If you need some food recommendations, also check out this article
Feel free to add more or ask if you’re unsure how to say something specific