Vietnamese Course: Beginners Level 1

Start speaking Vietnamese and discover a rich language and culture with our Vietnamese language short courses online!

Have you always wanted to learn Vietnamese but weren’t sure where to begin? This beginner-friendly course offers a practical and supportive introduction to the language — no prior experience required.

From your very first class, you’ll begin using simple, everyday Vietnamese. You’ll learn how to introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and take part in short conversations, while building your vocabulary, pronunciation, and confidence step by step.

Vietnamese is a tonal language, and this course places strong emphasis on listening and pronunciation. With guidance from an experienced tutor, you’ll learn to recognise and use tones accurately, helping you communicate clearly and avoid common misunderstandings.

Alongside language skills, you’ll gain insight into Vietnamese culture, etiquette, and communication styles, helping you use the language more naturally in real-life situations.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Vietnamese: Beginners Level 1 course, participants will have developed practical skills and knowledge in areas such as:

• Recognising and using Vietnamese tones with greater accuracy
• Understanding differences between Northern and Southern accents
• Greeting people and introducing yourself and others
• Asking for and giving simple directions
• Talking about travel, places, and everyday activities
• Using numbers, including those used in money and transactions
• Asking about prices and making simple purchases
• Talking about time, dates, and daily routines
• Using basic grammar structures to ask and answer questions
• Demonstrating awareness of Vietnamese culture and communication etiquette

Course content

What will be covered in this Vietnamese: Beginners Level 1 course?

During the course, participants will be guided through key concepts, techniques and approaches that typically include:

Topics

• Vietnamese alphabet and pronunciation
• Numbers and everyday vocabulary
• Greetings and introductions
• Places, directions, and transport
• Time, dates, and seasons
• Hobbies and daily activities
• Vietnamese culture and customs

Language skills

• Speaking and listening through guided practice
• Developing confidence in everyday communication
• Training your ear to recognise tones and accents

Grammar

• Basic sentence structure
• Asking and answering questions
• Use of prepositions
• Past, present, and future expressions
• Describing things using adjectives

Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.

Intended audience

Who is this Vietnamese: Beginners Level 1 course for?

This course is ideal for:

• Complete beginners with no prior Vietnamese experience
• Learners interested in Vietnamese language and culture
• Travellers preparing for Vietnam
• Anyone wanting practical communication skills in a supportive environment

Course venue

Online via Zoom

Zoom details will be provided with your enrolment confirmation.

Requirement: A device with a stable internet connection

Course materials

What to bring to class

• Notebook and pen
• Course textbook (see below)

Textbook & Resources

Please purchase the course textbook for Vietnamese Course: Beginners Level 1 and Vietnamese Course: Beginners Level 2:

Colloquial Vietnamese – The Complete Course for Beginners
ISBN: 9781138950238

We recommend purchasing your textbook once your course has been confirmed (usually within three working days of the proposed start date). The textbook is not included in the enrolment fee.

Certificate of completion

Achievement Recognition

Students who attend at least 80% of the course will receive a Certificate of Attendance from Sydney Community College.

This certificate recognises your commitment to learning Vietnamese and can support your personal or professional development.

What's next?

After completing this course, you can continue your learning with Vietnamese: Beginners Level 2 course, where you’ll expand your vocabulary, strengthen your grammar, and build greater confidence in conversation.