Do you want to learn about the Top 3 Languages Spoken in Vietnam? It’s a country with a lot of history and culture, and language is a big part of that.
You might be wondering how language affects your time in Vietnam. Many people have the same question. We can help! We know about Vietnam’s languages and will explain them in simple terms.
In this article, we will talk about:
- Vietnamese: The main language
- French: A language with a strong history in Vietnam
- English: A language that is becoming more important
Keep reading to learn how these languages shape life in Vietnam. By the end, you’ll know the top languages in Vietnam and how they are part of the country’s culture.
1. Vietnamese Language in Vietnam
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), the official language, is the most widely used among the Top 3 Languages Spoken in Vietnam. About 85% of people speak it. It is part of the Austroasiatic language family. Vietnamese has many words from Chinese.
The language uses a Latin alphabet called chữ Quốc ngữ. Jesuit missionaries created it in the 1600s. Vietnam made it official in the early 1900s.
Regional Dialects
There are three main Vietnamese dialects:
- Northern Vietnamese (Hanoi): This is the standard form. People use it in schools and the government.
- Central Vietnamese (Hue): This dialect sounds very different. It can be hard for people from other areas to understand.
- Southern Vietnamese (Ho Chi Minh City): It has small changes in words and sounds.
Each region speaks a little differently. But the Northern dialect is the most common in formal settings.
Minority Languages
Many ethnic groups in Vietnam speak their languages. These languages help show the country’s rich culture.
Some of these languages are:
- Tày: Spoken in the northeast by about 3 million people. It belongs to the Thai language family.
- Mường: Spoken in the mountains of northern Vietnam. About 1 million people speak it. It is very close to Vietnamese.
- Cham: Spoken in central and southern Vietnam. It comes from the old Champa kingdom. It is a Malayo-Polynesian language.
- Khmer: Spoken in the south by over 1 million people. It comes from the Khmer Empire. It is part of the Austroasiatic family.
- Hmong: Spoken in northern Vietnam. It belongs to the Hmong-Mien family. Many Hmong people speak it.
- Nùng: Spoken in the north by about 969,000 people. It is a Tai-Kadai language.
Each group adds to the mix of voices and cultures in Vietnam.
2. French Language in Vietnam
French was the second most spoken language in Vietnam when it was under French control from the 1800s to the mid-1900s. After Vietnam split in 1954, French was used less in the North but remained important in the South. After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, fewer people spoke French. By 2018, less than 1% of people knew French.
English Becomes More Popular
After French rule ended, English became more common. English was taught in schools starting in 1957. In 1986, Vietnam changed its economy, and more English-speaking foreigners came to the country. This made English the main foreign language. From 1996 to 2006, nearly 90% of people learning a foreign language in Vietnam chose English.
How French is Used Today
Today, not many people speak French in Vietnam. Most of them are older. In 2022, about 693,000 people spoke French. That’s just 1% of the population. Even though few speak French, Vietnam still belongs to the French-speaking community.
It joined the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in 1970. The French Embassy in Hanoi still helps promote French. French media, like the newspaper Le Courriel du Vietnam and French TV shows on VTV, also help keep the language alive in Vietnam.
3. English Language in Vietnam
English has become one of the top languages spoken in Vietnam, especially in areas like business, tourism, and education. As the country connects more with the world, knowing English is becoming essential for both individuals and businesses aiming to succeed.
Position in Kachru’s Circles of English
According to Kachru’s Circles of English model, Vietnam is an Expanding Circle country. English is a foreign language in Vietnam, with no official role in government or law. However, it is commonly used to communicate with foreigners visiting Vietnam for travel, work, or study. As more foreign visitors and business people come to Vietnam, the demand for English skills is growing, especially among younger generations.
English in the Education System
English is the most popular foreign language in Vietnam. It is a required subject in schools from Grade 3 to Grade 12. As more people recognize the importance of English, it is also used in some areas of education as a teaching language.
What Are the Top 3 Languages Spoken in Vietnam?: A Recap
The top 3 languages spoken in Vietnam show the country’s rich culture and history. Vietnamese is the official language, used in government, education, and everyday life. Northern and Southern Vietnamese reflect regional accents and traditions in different parts of the country.
There are also several minority languages spoken, such as Hmong and Khmer. These languages belong to various ethnic groups and contribute to Vietnam’s cultural variety.
The languages spoken in Vietnam help people connect and understand the country’s history and cultural background. They are an important part of Vietnam’s identity.