Motorbike taxis (known as xe ôm) are a staple of Vietnamese transport. Whether you're hailing one on the street or booking via rideshare apps like Grab, knowing a few key phrases can make the difference between a smooth ride and a chaotic misadventure. Here’s what you need to say - and understand - to navigate Vietnam’s two-wheeled taxis confidently.
Basic Commands and Directions
- Dừng lại ở đây (/zuŋ laːi ɤ̆ː hɤ̆ː/) – Stop here
- Rẽ trái / Rẽ phải (/zɛ t͡ɕaːi/ /zɛ faːi/) – Turn left / right
- Đi thẳng (/di tʰɐ̆ːŋ/) – Go straight
Negotiating Fares
Street xe ôm drivers often quote prices verbally. Rideshare apps fix fares automatically, but it’s still useful to confirm:
Bao nhiêu tiền?
/ɓaːw ɲiəw tiən˧/“How much?”
Numbers are crucial. Practise 1–10: một, hai, ba, bốn, năm, sáu, bảy, tám, chín, mười (/mot̚ haːj ɓaː ɓon˧ nam˧ ʂɐ̆w ɓɐ̆j tam̚ t͡ɕin̚ mɨəj˧/).
Safety and Emergencies
- Chạy chậm thôi! (/t͡ɕaːj t͡ɕɐ̆ːm tʰoj/) – Drive slower!
- Tôi bị say xe (/toj ɓi˧ ʂaj sɛ/) – I’m feeling carsick
- Dừng lại, tôi muốn xuống! (/zuŋ laːj toj muən˧ suəŋ/) – Stop, I want to get off!
For more emergency phrases, check our guide on Survival Croatian: Essential Phrases for Emergency Situations - some concepts translate universally.
Cultural Notes
Northern and Southern dialects differ slightly. For example, xe ôm is more common in the South, while Northerners might say xe máy ôm. Dive deeper in our article on Northern vs Southern Vietnamese dialects.
