Instant Vietnamese

By Sam Brier & Linh Đoàn
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Description

Instant Vietnamese is a pocket-sized phrasebook and mini dictionary for beginners, especially travelers who want usable Vietnamese without working through a full course. Its central method is to teach 100 high-frequency words and expressions, then show how they combine into many short, practical sentences.

The examples cover situations such as meeting people, shopping, asking directions, getting around, and ordering food and drinks. A pronunciation guide points out differences between Northern Vietnamese from Hanoi and Southern Vietnamese from Saigon. Tuttle also provides a small set of downloadable MP3 files for the tones and example phrases.

This is useful as a compact travel companion or quick introduction, but it does not provide a structured path to broader proficiency. Grammar treatment is limited, and the dictionary is not comprehensive. Reader feedback on the phonetic pronunciation shortcuts is mixed, with some users reporting errors, so the book works better as a supplement than as your only pronunciation source.

Content

  • Type: Dictionary, Phrasebook
  • Skills: Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary, Pronunciation
  • Size: 192 pages
  • Exercises: No

Price

  • Price: $6.95
  • Cost: Paid
  • Free trial: No

Details

  • Format: Book
  • Dialect: Northern, Southern
  • Author: Sam Brier & Linh Đoàn
  • Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
  • Published: 2014
  • ISBN-13: 9780804844635

Pros

  • Pocket-sized 4-by-6-inch format
  • 100-word pattern method produces many practical combinations
  • Pronunciation notes compare Northern and Southern Vietnamese
  • Free downloadable MP3 tone and phrase examples

Cons

  • Limited grammar instruction and no full learning progression
  • Only 11 MP3 tracks
  • Some readers report typos and inaccurate phonetic guidance

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