Shopping phrasebook

Southern word. In the north people say "điều hòa".

"Bàn ủi" is southern; in the north it is "bàn là".

Southern word. In the north sellers also write "đệm".

In the south people also say "mền".

In the south it is called "mùng".

Southern word. In the north: "nước rửa bát".

Southern word. In the north: "bình nóng lạnh".

"Tã" is the southern word, "bỉm" the northern one; sellers often write both.

In the south people also say "nón bảo hiểm".

"Ô" is northern, "dù" is southern; listings often use both.

"Bơ" means both butter and avocado. Butter is often "bơ lạt" (unsalted) or "bơ mặn" (salted); the fruit is "quả bơ" / "trái bơ".

Southern word. In the north: "bơ lạc".

Where you choose color, size or model before adding to cart.

Pre-order items take longer to ship, often 7–15 days.

Vietnamese clothing sizes run small; check the size chart (bảng size).

Tap this button only after checking the item: it releases the payment to the seller.

Southern word (e.g. Ho Chi Minh City). Written like "123/45": alley 123, house 45.

Northern word (Hanoi).

Northern word: a smaller lane branching off a "ngõ".

Central Vietnam word (Đà Nẵng, Huế), same as "hẻm".

Used mostly for streets in Hanoi's urban area.

Since 1 July 2025 wards report directly to the city/province (no district).

Abolished on 1 July 2025: no longer used in new addresses, but you still see it in old listings and on signs.

Abolished on 1 July 2025: no longer used in new addresses.

Good to put in the delivery address note so couriers text instead of calling.

In the south people also say "ngàn". Often written as "k": 50k = 50,000đ.

150k = 150,000 đồng.

Short for "triệu": 2tr5 = 2,500,000đ.

In the south people also say "mắc".

General counter word for objects.

Counter for single items such as one shoe, a phone or a vehicle.