Vietnam is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. I realized that traveling to it is better if you understand the local language. Especially if you have business interests or are planning to stay long-term.
Thankfully, many apps can teach you Vietnamese. Before a month of my trip, I tried as many as 22 such apps. Some were focused on reading, while others were on writing and speaking.
After using each for an ample amount of time, I have curated this list of the most effective ones. These will help you not only interact for daily needs but also have proper conversations. So, what are you waiting for?
11 Best Apps for Learning Vietnamese
All the apps featured on this list have been carefully picked keeping a 360-degree approach in mind. These will not only help you speak the language but also understand the script.
Most of these apps have been developed by consulting exceptional local talent and also carry voice notes that help you pronounce the words better.
Let’s get to the reviews.
1. LingoDeer
LingoDeer is a fun app and one of my absolute favorites for learning Asian languages. It works around your basics and ensures that you have a strong foundation to build upon.
It breaks down complex sentences into different parts and explains what each word means, as well as why the sentence is shaped that way.
The app also uses chatbots and audio notes to help you improve your Vietnamese conversation skills. There are games and quizzes in LingoDeer which keep your memory fresh.
Key Features
- Small and free Vietnamese lessons.
- Audio recorded by native Vietnamese speakers.
- Special focus on Asian languages.
- Engaging flashcards and quizzes.
- Uses stories and characters to keep learning fun.
2. Falou
Falou is one of the top-rated education apps on the App Store and one that is trusted by millions of users who want to learn languages. The app teaches 20+ languages including Vietnamese.
It focuses on giving you a practical knowledge of speaking the language and trains you in phrases that you will need to use often, such as your introduction, travel requirements, buying stuff, etc.
The app uses AI to help you pronounce words better and provides customized review lessons to ensure you have no weak spots.
Key Features
- Practical conversations.
- Lessons created by native speakers.
- Flashcards and games for better memorization.
- Uses AI technologies to ensure proper pronunciation.
- Teaches over 20 different languages.
3. Vietnamese by Nemo
What sets Nemo apart from other language-learning apps is that it does not believe in a lesson-based education. It instead focuses more on a learn-as-you-go system, where people pick up random bits throughout the day, and eventually string it together to see how they are interconnected.
This makes for a great complementary app to be used along with LingoDeer or Duolingo. Vietnamese by Nemo comes with a ‘Voice Power Trainer’ which asks users to speak sentences in Vietnamese, and then compare their pronunciation against a native speaker.
Key Features
- You get to choose what you want to study.
- Speech Studio helps you improve your pronunciation.
- Supports Apple Watch and hands-free listening.
- Learn new words every day with word packs.
- Quizzes to help you retain better.
4. LuvLingua’s Learn Vietnamese Language
This is a fun Vietnamese learning app that helps you learn the language without it seeming like a daunting task. Learning a new language can often be quite hectic, but when you do it with the help of games and interactive activities, it doesn’t really pose that big of a challenge.
The app comes with a phrasebook that carries thousands of phrases you might want to use on a regular basis, such as those relating to greetings, transport, numbers, etc.
Key Features
- Uses visual and auditory games.
- Sorts phrases for frequent use.
- High-quality audio recorded by native speakers.
- Helps learn and pronounce the Vietnamese alphabet.
- Quizzes and tests.
5. Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the biggest and most popular language-learning apps in the world. The app provides daily lessons that help you learn Vietnamese without the whole learning experience feeling like a burden.
Besides the daily lessons, Duolingo also has fun games and interactive activities that help its users hear and speak the language better. The app has been designed by experts in the Vietnamese language and will get you to speak the language in no time.
Key Features
- Study a new lesson every day.
- Streaks and rewards to keep you motivated.
- Has quizzes and flashcards.
- Plays audio notes to help you pronounce better.
- Free to learn languages using the app.
6. Vietnamese Dictionary Dict Box
While I have tried to include only apps that feature an easy-to-use UI, I had to include this one as an exception, as, despite the terrible UI, the DictBox app is perhaps the most comprehensive dictionary app for Vietnamese learners.
This app can’t be used on its own to learn the language but acts as a great addition to anyone who is using it in pairing with another primary learning app.
There are phonetic breakdowns, as well as audio notes that help you pronounce every word.
Key Features
- Shows occasion-based word suggestions via the search feature.
- Daily reminders to help build your vocabulary.
- Picture dictionary helps you identify objects visually.
- Text-to-Speech feature helps you listen to correct pronunciations.
- The app can be used without an internet connection.
7. Drops: Learn Vietnamese
This is the Vietnamese edition of the Drops app, which helps you learn the language fast. It relies heavily on illustrations and gives you the Vietnamese meaning of words next to the illustrations – giving you a visual cue about things.
Drops also make use of many mini-games and quizzes to help you progress faster. The app relies on 5-minute learning sessions which aren’t too heavy, but teach you important things one at a time.
The Drops app, however, focuses too much on vocabulary and too little on grammar so you might want to keep an eye out for that.
Key Features
- Games and quizzes.
- Uses a lot of images for easier visual references.
- 5-minute lessons on different topics.
- More than 2700 words across 150 topics.
8. Ling – Learn Vietnamese
Ling is one of the best apps when it comes to learning East Asian languages. The app provides support for the Vietnamese language with the help of fun games and interactive lessons. It teaches you everything from the basics of the language to forming complex sentences.
Ling makes use of audio recorded by native speakers of the Vietnamese language to ensure you pronounce your words correctly. The app not only teaches you how to speak and read but also to recognize the alphabet and how to write it!
Key Features
- 10-minute lessons to learn Vietnamese.
- 50 diverse topics.
- Compare your speech to a native speaker recording.
- Write by tracing alphabets on the screen.
- Games that help you learn the language.
9. Vmonkey: Kids Learn Vietnamese
Vmonkey is a great app for kids to learn the Vietnamese language. It is also a good option for beginners. It is based on Vietnam’s own education policies and teaches the language according to a proper curriculum.
The app carries over 750 interactive stories, as well as questions after each story. There are also hundreds of audiobooks available on the app for kids which help them retain the language better.
Vmonkey teaches the Vietnamese language with the help of animated characters and games and ensures that kids develop a strong foundation in the language.
Key Features
- Great app for very young learners.
- Games and stories to make lessons fun.
- 750 stories and over 300 audiobooks.
- Government-approved educational pedagogy.
- Works without an active internet connection.
10. Vietnamese 101 – Learn ABC
Vietnamese 101 is one of the best apps for beginners who want to learn the alphabet. It helps you to write as well as pronounce the alphabet.
The app just doesn’t stop there as it also covers the Northern and Southern accents to ensure you speak like a pro.
There are three modes here – Easy, Normal, and Freestyle, you can choose them based on your skill set. As a beginner, the easy mode worked best for me.
Key Features
- Helps you speak, write, and read the Vietnamese alphabet.
- Northern and Southern accents.
- Freestyle mode allows you to write in your own handwriting.
- Share your progress with your friends.
11. Learn Vietnamese – Beginners
Here’s another app that helps you learn the Vietnamese language from scratch. It helps you learn different words and phrases across different topics so that you can get a conversation going.
It focuses more on the basics than anything else. The app helps you learn the names of different colors and numbers, pronouns, transportation phrases, etc. which will help you have a comfortable vacation in the country.
The app is completely free to use and has no content reserved for subscribers. It also keeps testing you with quizzes and listening tests to ensure you’re retaining what you’re learning.
Key Features
- Offers four courses: beginner, basic, intermediate, and advanced.
- Everything is free in the app – no purchases are needed.
- Features audio recordings by native speakers.
- Translate any word from Vietnamese into English.
- Tests and Quizzes to help you learn better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vietnamese is comparatively an easy language to learn, especially if you want to talk to the local residents in their own language and bond with them better.
As per the reports, it takes around 40 weeks to fully learn this language. However, if you only plan to learn basic conversation for daily routines, a week to a month is sufficient.
Do two things simultaneously — listen to a lot of talks and see how the words sound, as well as learn the script and the alphabet.
Wrap Up!
Learning the language transforms traveling across this beautiful country. At first glance, Vietnamese looks like a tough task because it is a script so unfamiliar to us, and a language very unlike ours.
However, when you get down to learning the script and the vocabulary, you will realize that it is not really as tough as it seems.
Do try out the mobile apps that I have recommended above, and you will realize you can learn a lot of Vietnamese via these apps.
However, real perfection only comes when you go out there and try your skills with others who speak the language. All the best in this journey!
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