12 Best Vietnamese Courses for Travel to Vietnam | 2024 (with Images)

If you are looking for the best ways to learn Vietnamese online, then this post will be extremely useful for you. We have compiled 12 of the best Vietnamese courses available right now.

Whether you are looking for an online Vietnamese tutor, a course that enables you to learn at your own pace, or a tool to improve your listening skills, you'll find an appropriate option below. We provide an overview of our experiences using each course, including:

• The advantages and benefits of each course
• Areas for improvement in the courses
• Any offer or discount available

Why You Should Learn Vietnamese

Looking to explore Vietnam and immerse yourself in the local culture? Before you embark on your journey, make sure to equip yourself with the necessary Vietnamese language skills. 

There are numerous online Vietnamese courses and language learning resources available to help you learn Vietnamese at your own pace.

From online Vietnamese tutors and classes to interactive courses and audio recordings, you can find the perfect option to start learning. These courses focus on developing your listening skills, pronunciation, and comprehension of spoken Vietnamese.

By learning Vietnamese, you'll be able to navigate the country with ease, interact with locals, and truly experience the vibrant Vietnamese culture during your adventure. 

Start studying now and embark on a language-learning journey that will enhance your travel experience in Vietnam.

How We Chose These Vietnamese Courses

In order to make each Vietnamese course synopsis as varied and informative as possible, we trialed each and every one of the courses below.

Each scoring system is determined based on a number of factors. Five stars indicate excellence, whilst a lower star rating indicates room for improvement.

The comments and opinions that you read throughout this article are the results of a language teacher's findings using the free and/or premium versions of each course. 

The factors listed in the review table above are measured in the following ways:

• Effectiveness – This is measured by the progress that we were able to make during the short time frame.
• Value for money – We compare the cost of the app with similar competitor language learning apps, platforms, and courses.
• Ease of use – As language learners, user experience plays a large part in whether or not we maintain consistency. A poor user experience usually leads to a lack of progress.
• Languages Available – Offering multiple languages by no means makes an app or language platform better. However, it usually means they're more popular and capture a wider audience, investing more heavily in the factors above.

1. Pimsleur Vietnamese: Learn Vietnamese Through Audio Recordings

Cost: 7-Day Free Trial. Then $14.95 p/month subscription.

Pimsleur Vietnamese is an app that teaches basic Vietnamese vocabulary and phrases through audio lessons. 

It is designed to suit busy people who want to learn a language but don't have the time for online classes with a real tutor.

The app was created by renowned linguist Dr. Pimsleur.

What We Like About Pimsleur Vietnamese

What we really like about this app is that it only requires 30 minutes of Vietnamese practice a day in order to gain conversational skills, improve Vietnamese pronunciation, and develop comprehension of spoken Vietnamese.

It has 100 audio lessons in total, which are taught in 30-minute segments, with 5 minutes of review time after every lesson.

The lessons are designed to introduce students to the language. They can be used without reading or writing, meaning that the focus of each lesson is on listening and speaking.

Areas for Improvement with Pimsleur Vietnamese

The main downside of this app is that it does not offer any additional features. So, if you want to learn Vietnamese vocabulary or grammar through Pimsleur, there are no interactive lessons for these purposes.

Also, it's more expensive than several other options, (although you get what you pay for). 

We'd like to see Pimsleur introduce exercises to enhance writing skills.

2. italki: Professional Tutors at an Affordable Price

Cost: Approx. $10 p/hour, depending on the tutor.

italki is one of the world's leading online marketplaces for language lessons.

To date, it offers more than 60 languages to learn and speak through live 1-on-1 video chats with language tutors.

What We Like About italki

We recommend this tutoring platform to Vietnamese learners because it enables you to meet and have lessons with a professional teacher, or a tutor that can help you in specific areas. 

They will also be able to tell you about their experience with Vietnam and its culture as well as the places you can explore there.

italki community tutors are usually native speakers, and their lessons often cost less than lessons with italki professional teachers (who often have teaching experience).

Whether you're at beginner level or more advanced, italki is one of the best ways to learn Vietnamese online through online Vietnamese classes.

All you need is a smartphone or tablet to get started.

Areas for Improvement with italki

Many tutors no longer offer a free trial. So, be sure to check out the teacher's profile and reviews before booking a lesson.

Also, your lesson experience is often determined by both internet connections.

3. VietnamesePod101 - A Podcast Style Vietnamese Course

Cost: Starts at $4 p/month.

VietnamesePod101 is one of the best online Vietnamese courses for beginners.

The course consists of a variety of audio and video lessons, as well as quizzes and flashcards to help you test your grammar and general language knowledge.

The lessons are designed to be fun and interactive and cover a range of topics, from travel to business.

What We Like About VietnamesePod101

One of the best things about VietnamesePod101 is that the lessons are available for free, so you can try them out before deciding if it's the right course for you.

Additionally, it is one of the most affordable online Vietnamese courses available.

Areas for Improvement with VietnamesePod101

Although there are free lessons available, they're not as extensive as those that you have to pay for.

Additionally, the course doesn't offer a transcript or translation into English. This can be an issue if you want to improve your listening comprehension

4. Rosetta Stone: A Good Vietnamese Course for Beginners

Cost: Starts at $6.49 p/month.

Rosetta Stone is a software program that uses pictures and sounds to teach you how to speak a foreign language. 

It is one of the most popular language-learning programs on the market, and it offers courses for over 26 different languages.

The Rosetta Stone Vietnamese course for beginners costs approx. $199.99, which is more expensive than some other language courses.

However, it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with your purchase.

What We Like About Rosetta Stone Vietnamese

One of the great things about Rosetta Stone is that it's available on both Mac and PC, as well as iOS and Android devices.

Rosetta Stone Vietnamese consists of 10 units, with each unit containing 4-5 chapters. You're also given access to a pronunciation guide, interactive games, and soundboards, as well as a lesson review toolkit.

The lessons are interactive and encourage you to learn through listening, speaking, and reading Vietnamese instead of just learning the grammatical rules.

This means that Rosetta Stone is great for beginners who want to improve their conversational skills in Vietnamese rather than only focusing on grammar.

Areas for Improvement with Rosetta Stone Vietnamese

Rosetta Stone is one of the more expensive Vietnamese courses available.

Additionally, it can be difficult to stick to a learning routine and stay motivated when you're not given set homework tasks or quizzes like some other courses provide.

5. Mondly Vietnamese: Speak Vietnamese through VR!

Cost: Approx $10 p/month for Premium.

Mondly is an award-winning language learning app that has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and The Huffington Post.

It offers 33 languages to learn, including Vietnamese, and can be accessed on both Android and iOS devices.

Mondly is unique because it offers a virtual reality feature that allows you to immerse yourself in a 3D world and learn Vietnamese by speaking with natives.

This helps listening comprehension as well as a platform from which to practice grammar, vocabulary, and speaking.

The app also has a chatbot feature that allows you to practice conversational Vietnamese with a virtual assistant.

What We Like About Mondly

One of the great things about Mondly is that it's free to download, and you can access the first 5 lessons of each language course for free.

After this point, monthly subscription options are available, as well as one-time payments for lifetime access.

We like Mondly Vietnamese as a tool to study the language online because it incorporates Vietnamese culture study into its lessons in a much more successful way than other courses.

Areas for Improvement with Mondly

The Mondly app is free to download, but the lessons only offer a limited amount of content for beginners.

Once you've finished all these levels, it costs $11.99 per month in order to access the rest of its courses and features (which is more expensive than some other online Vietnamese courses).

6. Preply: A Platform for Online Vietnamese Classes

Cost: Approx. $10 p/hour, depending on the tutor.

Preply is an online platform that can be accessed on both iOS and Android devices.

Like its main competitor, italki, you can choose to take online Vietnamese language classes with a qualified Vietnamese tutor.

Preply is great for beginners, but they also offer advanced lessons and courses for those who are more advanced in the language.

With Preply, you can easily find a Vietnamese tutor with your level and preferred teaching style.

This is particularly useful for those who prefer to learn in an intensive environment or want to practice conversation skills rather than just grammar and vocabulary.

What We Like About Preply

All of the teachers on Preply have been selected by their qualifications and expertise in language education, so you know that they're able to teach Vietnamese.

You can also communicate with your teacher via the app, which makes it easy to schedule lessons and conduct them even if you're not in Vietnam.

One nice thing about Preply is that they offer free trial lesson periods for new users without any obligations or credit card information required.

Areas for Improvement with Preply

There is no mobile app for Preply, and this would make lessons a lot easier to fit into your daily routine.

The lesson time is also limited by the platform.

7. Language Drops: A Fun, Immersive Option for Beginners

Cost: $5 p/month for Premium.

Language Drops is a Vietnamese language learning program that can be accessed on both Android and iOS devices.

The app offers a variety of Vietnamese exercises, including flashcards, audio lessons, verb conjugations, and quizzes.

The exercises are designed to help you improve your Vietnamese grammar, vocabulary, speaking skills, and listening comprehension.

What We Like About Language Drops

One great thing about Language Drops is that it's free to download and use.

You can also access the first 5 exercises of each course for free. After this point, monthly subscription options are available.

This makes it a great option for those who want to learn Vietnamese on a budget.

Areas for Improvement with Language Drops

There is a lack of Vietnamese audio lessons in this course.

There are also limited grammar exercises and vocabulary word lists available, so it's not suitable for those who want to study more than just basic conversation skills.

If you are serious about becoming fluent in Vietnamese and immersing yourself in the culture, this isn't the right option for you.

8. Memrise Vietnamese

Cost: Free.

Memrise Vietnamese is an online platform that focuses on memory-based learning.

The Vietnamese course offered by Memrise is designed for beginners and those who have a very basic knowledge of the language.

The course consists of over 150 lessons and includes vocabulary, grammar, and culture tips.

Memrise also offers a flashcard feature and a listening test to help you improve your Vietnamese listening skills.

What We Like About Memrise Vietnamese

One great thing about Memrise is that it's free to use. This makes it a great option for those who want to learn Vietnamese on a budget.

Furthermore, a variety of Vietnamese lessons are available, including vocabulary, grammar, and culture tips.

Areas for Improvement with Memrise Vietnamese

Once again, there is a lack of audio exercises in this course.

There are also no social features available on Memrise, so you can't connect with teachers for Vietnamese language classes.

9. Duolingo: A Comprehensive Option for Beginners

Cost: Free.

Duolingo is a popular language-learning app that can be used to learn Vietnamese.

The course offered by Duolingo is designed for those who have no knowledge of Vietnamese.

The course offers a free mobile app for Android and iOS devices as well as online lessons that can be accessed from your computer's web browser.

What We Like About Duolingo

One beneficial thing about Duolingo is that it offers a variety of exercises available, including listening comprehension quizzes, fill-in-the-blank activities, word-matching tasks, and translation challenges.

This makes it a great option for those who want to not only learn the rules of Vietnamese grammar but also gain fluency in everyday conversation.

Areas for Improvement with Duolingo

Duolingo falls short in terms of speaking practice and some of the exercises can be quite repetitive and overly-focused on unhelpful vocabulary.

This is a popular app, but it is not one of the best ways to learn Vietnamese online.

10. Glossika Vietnamese

Cost: $30 p/month.

Glossika Vietnamese is an online language learning program that uses a unique approach to teaching Vietnamese.

The program consists of audio lessons, which you are required to listen to on a daily basis.

In addition to the audio lessons, Glossika also offers vocabulary lists and grammar notes that can be accessed online.

What We Like About Glossika

The fact that Glossika offers audio lessons is a great perk, as this makes it easier for learners to improve their listening skills.

The program also includes a variety of exercises and quizzes to help you practice your Vietnamese grammar and vocabulary.

It is one of the best ways to learn Vietnamese online.

Areas for Improvement with Glossika

There are no reading exercises available with this course, which makes Glossika unsuitable for those who want to focus on learning Vietnamese through written materials.

11. Coursera Plus: Access to Thousands of Vietnamese Courses

Coursera Plus is a subscription service offered by Coursera that provides unlimited access to thousands of courses, including Vietnamese language courses. Learning Vietnamese through Coursera Plus has its advantages.

What We Like About Coursera Plus

Firstly, it offers a wide range of courses taught by reputable institutions and experienced instructors. 

This ensures high-quality learning materials and comprehensive lessons. Secondly, Coursera Plus allows learners to study at their own pace and access course content anytime, anywhere.

Areas for Improvement with Coursera Plus

One potential drawback is that Coursera Plus requires a subscription fee, which may not be ideal for those on a tight budget. 

Additionally, the availability of Vietnamese language courses may vary, and learners might need to search for suitable options.

12. uTalk: Good to Practice Vietnamese Speaking

uTalk is a language learning platform that offers courses in various languages, including Vietnamese. Learning Vietnamese through uTalk is engaging and fun.

What We Like About uTalk

The platform provides a user-friendly interface and interactive lessons, making it easy and enjoyable to learn the language. uTalk focuses on practical vocabulary and phrases, which is particularly useful for travelers who want to communicate effectively during their trip to Vietnam.

Furthermore, uTalk allows learners to practice speaking and listening skills through its speech recognition technology.

Areas for Improvement with uTalk

A downside is that uTalk's Vietnamese course might not be as comprehensive as other language learning platforms. It primarily focuses on essential phrases rather than in-depth grammar and sentence structure.

Nonetheless, for travelers seeking a practical and accessible introduction to Vietnamese, uTalk can be a valuable resource.

FAQs Regarding Vietnamese Courses

Now, let's look at some frequently asked questions about learning Vietnamese for travel to Vietnam.

What language resources can I find online for learning Vietnamese?

There are many social platforms like TikTok and Instagram where you can listen to how natives talk and learn more about Vietnam. Short videos on social media can inspire you to visit Vietnam, teach you about the cuisine, and address common mistakes learners make when speaking Vietnamese. You can also find YouYube videos that can be of help. Look for a YouTube channel run by a native Vietnamese language teacher.

Is language learning time-consuming?

Yes, language learning takes time and effort. It will take some time before you can speak Vietnamese but it will be worth it. You just need to find learning strategies that work best for you.

Is learning languages only for younger people?

No, there is no reason why seniors can't learn new languages. Learning languages can be very good for older people's brains and can open up new doors for work and travel opportunities. Nowadays you can learn a language completely free or at a low cost, so why not start today?

Summing Up: Best Vietnamese Courses for Travel to Vietnam

So, there we have it. If you’re a beginner looking for free and affordable online Vietnamese courses, there are plenty of options to choose from.

As we have seen today, these 12 online courses offer great ways to learn Vietnamese at no cost or at an extremely low price point.

We hope that by reading this post you will be able to find your next favorite language-learning resource! Which one of these resources do you think you'll enjoy most? 

Try them out, and let us know which was best.