susiesan

I would like to start learning some Vietnamese for my trip there in February. Does anyone have a suggestion for a web site or app that is good for self teaching Vietnamese? Also a good translation or dictionary English to Vietnamese app besides google translate.

Cam o'n.

CaliforniaLady

My son uses Rosetta Stone religiously, for wherever he is going. It seems to work pretty well, as he can speak decently when we travel. They do have a version for Vietnamese.

susiesan

I hear Rosetta Stone is good but you have to buy it and it is quite expensive. I'm looking for something free. This will be very casual travel Vietnamese I want to speak. There are some videos on youtube that go over the pronunciation.

progol

I haven't used this yet, but it looks like a good site for your interests:

https://www.duolingo.com/

susiesan

progol: I looked at that site and it might be fine or learning words but I need help with pronunciation too. Not sure I trust the google translate computer voice speaking Vietnamese words correctly.

progol

Try Mango languages, if it is offered through your library system:

https://www.mangolanguages.com/libra...ble-languages/

My husband was using it to learn some basic Italian conversation, but I see that it lists Vietnamese. He signed up through our local library system but it looks like it's available through other library systems as well.

susiesan

Yes, my local library does have mango. I forgot about that. I'll give it a spin.

susiesan

My library doesn't use mango anymore. They have an online course called pronunciatior. I'll give that a try.

CaliNurse

Great idea, Susiesan.

I used "Evrydayviet.com" listening to Donna via youtube on my iPhone,then transcribed the pronunciation for myself. Note: the variety of pronunciations of VNese words was surprising, region to region.

Pimsleur has cheapo but perfect adequate--for tourist purposes-- versions of language courses. Check their "quick and simple" series, available online from Walmart.( I used one for Swahili and had great fun with people thinking I was fluent. Amazing what a few well-pronounced phrases can do!)
Don't know if that Pimsleur series avail as apps-I bought the CDs and listened in my car.
The VN one costs less than $15 on the walmart website.

susiesan

calinurse: I have bookmarked everydayviet.com and will try to learn a few words or phrases everyday.

I'm going back and forth with CVT about the itinerary and hotel choices. As it stands now I am in Ninh Binh 3 nights and Mai Chau 2 nights. I am thinking about cutting out one day here and returning to Hanoi a day earlier, giving us a total of 3 full days in Hanoi, 1 at the beginning and 2 at the end. What do you think?

deptrai

Lots of learning videos on Youtube. I suggest learning to count to ten. If you can do that, its pretty easy to go to 100. If your native language is non-tonal (like English), Vietnamese is kind of tricky, because it has six tones.

I studied at a community college and have many Vietnamese friends to practice with. It didn't hurt growing up in Little Saigon. I've been to Vietnam four times and can get by just fine.