Instant Vietnamese

Instant Vietnamese is a compact paperback phrasebook and mini dictionary from Tuttle, made for beginners who want quick, practical Vietnamese for travel or short stays rather than a full course.

The method is simple: you learn a set of core words and phrase patterns, then combine them to produce lots of useful sentences. The book includes a pronunciation guide that differentiates Northern (Hanoi) and Southern (Saigon) Vietnamese, so you can match what you hear in different regions.

You also get free downloadable MP3 audio on Tuttle’s site, including tone-focused tracks and example recordings, which helps you hear how the phrases should sound. What it does not do is teach grammar in depth or build long-term fluency. There are no real dialogues, exercises, or feedback, so it works best as a quick phrase builder and trip companion alongside a more structured Vietnamese course.