Mastering the basics of foreign language conversation is easier than you think. Learn how to ask simple questions, talk about yourself, make enquiries and socialise. By the end of the course, with proper application and home practise, you should be able to make yourself understood by a native speaker.

Vietnamese for Fun and Travel

Course Description

Vietnamese for Fun and Travel is a beginner-friendly short course designed to equip travellers and language enthusiasts with the essential Vietnamese they need for real-world interactions. 

Through fun, practical lessons, you’ll build your ability to speak and understand common phrases used in everyday situations such as dining out, asking for directions, shopping, and navigating transport. 

This course is perfect for those planning a trip to Vietnam or wanting to connect more deeply with Vietnamese culture.

Lessons are highly interactive and focus on communication skills, pronunciation, and cultural understanding. 

You’ll practise common expressions through role-plays and listening activities, and explore useful tips about Vietnamese customs, etiquette, and travel scenarios. 

By the end of the course, you'll be better prepared to use Vietnamese confidently and respectfully in a range of typical tourist settings.

Course Structure

The course topics will include:

• Introduction to the Vietnamese alphabet, tones and pronunciation
• Basic greetings and how to introduce yourself
• Ordering food and drinks in restaurants
• Shopping, numbers, prices and bargaining
• Asking for directions and understanding landmarks
• Transportation and getting around in cities
• Booking hotels and dealing with common issues
• Talking about emergencies and seeking help
• Review and travel simulation activities.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Use basic Vietnamese greetings and polite expressions
• Introduce themselves and ask simple personal questions
• Order food and drinks and understand common menu items
• Use numbers and basic vocabulary for shopping and bargaining
• Ask for and understand directions in travel situations
• Talk about transport, accommodation and make simple bookings
• Explain basic medical issues and ask for help in emergencies
• Engage in simple conversations with native speakers
• Recognise and respect cultural norms in Vietnamese-speaking settings
• Gain confidence to use Vietnamese in real-world travel contexts.

Students who complete the course may wish to continue their learning by enrolling in the WEA Vietnamese 1 course.

Your tutor for the course is Thi (Ally) Hong Anh

Ally graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) as a Valedictorian with a Bachelor's in International Economics. Ally is trained to translate for diplomatic and journalistic purposes and has
worked as an Intern in the Embassy of Vietnam in India, Germany and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs where Ally applied practical skills in translation to work.

Ally has been tutoring University students in Vietnamese and also worked as a Teaching Assistant to the Dean of Faculty. Ally is experienced in creating engaging lesson plans and bilingual tutoring.

Born and raised in Hanoi – the capital city of Vietnam, Ally loves teaching the Vietnamese language to adults with a strong focus on the multiple facets of Vietnam – from history, geography, and culture to the economy and diplomacy. 

Her teaching philosophy is centred around creating engaging lesson plans with interactive activities and explaining complex concepts in simple ways with the help of exercises and case studies. Having worked for DAV and interned for some Vietnamese Embassies, Ally has experience effectively explaining the cultural context of the language, helping students navigate social interactions, and understanding the nuances of Vietnamese communication.

Regarding hobbies, Ally likes to go swimming, play pickleball, and visit Adelaide’s landscapes.