Stage 3 · Context
Transport
Taxis, Grab, directions, tickets. Built around Hanoi’s Grab-first reality and the Hanoi–Sapa train.
The transport arc — and the Hanoi reality
ENTRY → greet + anchor. INITIATION → find the stand / call a taxi. PURPOSE → directions, tickets, timing. WRAP-UP → thanks to the driver. For your trip: in Hanoi you’ll mostly use Grab (the ride-hailing app) — you type the destination, so you barely need to speak. The phrases matter most for the Hanoi–Sapa train (tickets, platform) and for asking locals for directions when you’re off the beaten path.
1. Initiation — finding transport
Điểm taxi ở đâu?SEED
diem taxi oh dow?
Where is the taxi stand?
Gọi taxi cho tôi, xin ạ.SEED
goay taxi koh toy, sin a.
Call a taxi for me, please.
At a hotel front desk. Or just use the Grab app — it’s the default in Hanoi.
Một vé đến [nơi], xin ạ.LOOKUP
mot ve den [nway], sin a.
A ticket to [place], please.
2. Directions
Đi đến [nơi] thế nào?LOOKUP
dee den [nway] the nawn?
How do I get to [place]?
Đây có phải đường đúng không?LOOKUP
day koh phai duong doong kong?
Is this the right way?
Quay trái.SEED
kwai tray.
Turn left.
Quay phải.SEED
kwai phay.
Turn right.
Đi thẳng.SEED
dee thang.
Go straight.
Bên trái / bên phải.SEED
ben tray / ben phay.
On the left / on the right.
3. Tickets & timing
Một vé đến [nơi] bao nhiêu tiền?LOOKUP
mot ve den [nway] baw nyew tyen?
How much is a ticket to [place]?
Hai người lớn, hai trẻ em, xin ạ.FAMILY
hai ngoway lon, hai trai em, sin a.
Two adults, two children, please.
Your exact group. “người lớn” = adult, “trẻ em” = child.
Xe [buýt / tàu] đến lúc mấy giờ?LOOKUP
seh [booy / tow] den luc may goh?
When does the [bus / train] leave?
Mất bao lâu?LOOKUP
mat baw law?
How long does it take?
Chuyến cuối lúc mấy giờ?LOOKUP
chuyen cwuy luc may goh?
What time is the last one?
4. On the vehicle
Chỗ này có ai ngồi không?LOOKUP
chow nay koh ay ngoyi kong?
Is this seat taken?
Tôi ngồi đây được không?LOOKUP
toy ngoyi day duoc kong?
Can I sit here?
Ghế gần cửa sổ.LOOKUP
ghe gan kwa so.
Window seat.
5. Wrap-up
Cảm ơn bác tài.LOOKUP
cam on bak tay.
Thank you, driver.
“bác tài” = a warm, respectful way to address the driver.
Tạm biệt.LOOKUP
tam byeet.
Goodbye.
6. Domain vocabulary (lookup)
The Hanoi–Sapa train is the scenic option (or a ~3.5h Grab/limousine van). “A ticket to Sapa, two adults two children” = Hai vé người lớn, hai vé trẻ em đi Sa Pa.
| Item | Vietnamese | Says | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| bus | xe buýt | seh booy | |
| train | tàu | tow | the Hanoi–Sapa train |
| taxi | taxi | taxi | |
| car | xe | seh | |
| airport | sân bay | san bay | |
| station | ga | ga | |
| platform | sân ga | san ga | |
| ticket | vé | ve | |
| luggage | hành lý | han lee | |
| suitcase | vali | vali | |
| seat | ghế | ghe | |
| window seat | ghế cửa sổ | ghe kwa so | |
| aisle seat | ghế giữa | ghe zway | |
| map | bản đồ | ban-doh | |
| Grab (app) | Grab | Grab | the default ride-hailing app in Hanoi |