Essential Vietnamese Phrases for Emergencies & Urgent Help in Vietnam
Traveling in Vietnam is a rewarding adventure filled with beautiful landscapes, friendly locals, and mouthwatering cuisine. But while exploring a new country, it’s always smart to prepare for unexpected situations — whether you’re feeling unwell, lose your belongings, or simply need to find the nearest restroom or ATM.
Learning a few basic Vietnamese emergency and daily-use phrases can make your journey smoother, safer, and even more enjoyable. Locals deeply appreciate when travelers try to speak a few words in Vietnamese — it often opens doors and hearts.
🏥 In Case of Medical Emergencies
If you ever feel unwell or need medical help in Vietnam, use these phrases to communicate with locals, doctors, or pharmacists:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help me, please! | Làm ơn giúp tôi! | Lam-ơn-zoop-toi |
| I need a doctor | Tôi cần bác sĩ | Toi-kun-bak-si |
| I’m sick | Tôi bị ốm | Toi-bi-om |
| I have a fever | Tôi bị sốt | Toi-bi-sot |
| I have pain here | Tôi bị đau ở đây | Toi-bi-dow-uh-day |
| I feel dizzy | Tôi bị chóng mặt | Toi-bi-chong-mat |
| I need medicine | Tôi cần thuốc | Toi-kun-thuok |
| Is there a hospital nearby? | Gần đây có bệnh viện không? | Gun-day-ko-benh-vien-khong |
| Call an ambulance! | Gọi xe cấp cứu! | Goi-se-cup-kiu |
💡 Tip: In larger cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, many pharmacies have staff who understand some English. In smaller towns, showing these phrases written down will help you get assistance faster.
🚓 If You Experience Theft or Lose Your Belongings
If your passport, wallet, or phone goes missing, here’s how to explain your situation or ask for help:
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! I’ve been robbed! | Cứu! Tôi bị trộm! | Kiu! Toi-bi-chom |
| My bag is missing | Tôi bị mất túi | Toi-bi-mut-tui |
| I lost my passport | Tôi bị mất hộ chiếu | Toi-bi-mut-ho-chieu |
| Can you call the police? | Bạn có thể gọi cảnh sát không? | Ban-ko-thay-goi-canh-sat-khong |
| Where is the nearest police station? | Đồn cảnh sát gần nhất ở đâu? | Don-canh-sat-gun-nhat-o-dau |
| Someone stole my phone | Ai đó đã lấy điện thoại của tôi | Ai-do-da-lay-dien-thoai-cua-toi |
| I need help right now! | Tôi cần giúp đỡ ngay bây giờ! | Toi-kun-zoop-duh-ngai-bay-zo |
💡 Travel tip: Always keep a copy of your passport and travel insurance on your phone or email. This helps if you need to report a loss or request replacements.
🚗 If You’re Lost or Need Directions
Vietnamese people are kind and often eager to help foreigners — especially if you make a small effort to speak their language.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I am lost | Tôi bị lạc | Toi-bi-lak |
| Can you help me? | Bạn có thể giúp tôi không? | Ban-ko-thay-zoop-toi-khong |
| Where is…? | … ở đâu? | … uh-dau |
| I want to go to the hotel | Tôi muốn về khách sạn | Toi-muon-ve-khak-san |
| Please call a taxi | Làm ơn gọi taxi | Lam-ơn-goi-taxi |
| Can you show me on the map? | Bạn có thể chỉ cho tôi trên bản đồ không? | Ban-ko-thay-chi-cho-toi-tren-ban-do-khong |
| Thank you so much | Cảm ơn rất nhiều | Kam-ơn-rut-nhieu |
🚻 Useful Everyday Phrases for Travelers
These are common situations when traveling in Vietnam — asking for a restroom, ATM, restaurant, or market. These phrases will help you navigate daily life easily.
| English | Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? | Nha-vay-sinh-uh-dau |
| Is there an ATM nearby? | Gần đây có máy rút tiền không? | Gun-day-ko-may-rut-tien-khong |
| Where is the nearest market? | Chợ gần nhất ở đâu? | Cho-gun-nhat-uh-dau |
| Where can I buy water? | Tôi có thể mua nước ở đâu? | Toi-ko-the-mua-nuok-uh-dau |
| Where is the bus station? | Bến xe ở đâu? | Ben-se-uh-dau |
| Where is the train station? | Ga tàu ở đâu? | Ga-tau-uh-dau |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Hiệu thuốc ở đâu? | Hiệu-thuok-uh-dau |
| Where is the hospital? | Bệnh viện ở đâu? | Benh-vien-uh-dau |
| Where is the police station? | Đồn cảnh sát ở đâu? | Don-canh-sat-uh-dau |
| Is there a restaurant nearby? | Gần đây có nhà hàng không? | Gun-day-ko-nha-hang-khong |
| Where can I buy a SIM card? | Tôi có thể mua SIM ở đâu? | Toi-ko-the-mua-sim-uh-dau |
| Can you help me find my hotel? | Bạn có thể giúp tôi tìm khách sạn không? | Ban-ko-the-zoop-toi-tim-khak-san-khong |
💡 Tip: Vietnamese pronunciation can be challenging at first, but locals appreciate your effort. Even a few words can bring smiles — and help you get what you need.
📞 Important Emergency Numbers in Vietnam
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 113 |
| Fire Department | 114 |
| Ambulance / Medical Emergency | 115 |
| Tourist Support Hotline (English) | 1800 1106 |
Save these numbers before your trip — you can dial them from any local phone or ask hotel staff to help you make the call.
❤️ Quick Tips for Staying Safe and Connected
- Keep your hotel address in Vietnamese on your phone or hotel card.
- Save important phrases or download Google Translate (Vietnamese offline).
- In case of trouble, go to the nearest hotel, pharmacy, or café — staff there usually speak some English.
- Learn to say “Cảm ơn” (thank you) and “Xin chào” (hello) — they go a long way.
- Stay calm and friendly — Vietnamese people are always willing to help travelers in need.
🌿 In Short: A Little Language Goes a Long Way
Traveling in Vietnam is not just about seeing places — it’s about connecting with people. Whether you’re asking for directions, finding a toilet, or getting help in an emergency, these essential Vietnamese phrases will help you communicate confidently and safely.
Keep this Vietnamese travel dictionary on your phone, or print it out before your trip — it could turn a stressful moment into a warm local encounter!
