Looking for the best way to learn Vietnamese as a foreigner? Choosing the right textbook depends on your current level and how you want to use the language.
Complete beginners need a course that covers pronunciation, tones, basic grammar and everyday conversation, while learners who already speak some Vietnamese may benefit more from an intermediate textbook.
Start with Tiếng Việt 123 – Level A if you are completely new to Vietnamese. Choose the Tiếng Việt 123 A + B1 Combo if you want a longer learning path. For more structured pronunciation and foundational practice, consider Elementary Vietnamese – Books 1 & 2.
Best for Complete Beginners
Tiếng Việt 123 – Level A
If you know little or no Vietnamese, this is one of the easiest places to start. The book contains 16 practical lessons covering introductions, age, prices, time, housing, hobbies, directions, restaurants, weather and health.
Each lesson combines dialogue, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, and the book includes English support, making it more accessible for English-speaking learners.
View Tiếng Việt 123 Level A →
What should a Vietnamese textbook for foreigners teach?
Vietnamese can be challenging at first because pronunciation and tones directly affect meaning. A useful beginner textbook should therefore teach more than vocabulary lists. Look for structured lessons combining pronunciation, listening, dialogues, vocabulary and sentence patterns in real-life situations.
Best for a Longer Learning Path
Tiếng Việt 123 – Level A + B1 Combo
If you plan to study Vietnamese seriously, the A + B1 set gives you a clearer progression from beginner to intermediate level.
Start with Level A to build pronunciation, vocabulary and basic conversation, then move into B1 once everyday Vietnamese feels more familiar.
View A + B1 Combo →
Best for Structured Foundations
Elementary Vietnamese – Books 1 & 2
Nguyễn Việt Hương's Tiếng Việt Cơ Sở series is another strong option for non-Vietnamese speakers learning Vietnamese.
Book 1 begins with pronunciation before moving into greetings, names, occupations, family and places. Book 2 develops practical topics such as prices, directions, dates, weather and telephone conversations.
View Elementary Vietnamese →
For Intermediate Learners
Tiếng Việt 123 – Level B1
Already able to introduce yourself and understand basic everyday Vietnamese? You may not need to start again from Level A.
The B1 book includes 16 lessons, revision sections and Vietnamese cultural content, while continuing to develop vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and practical conversation.
View Tiếng Việt 123 B1 →Which Vietnamese textbook should you choose?
Complete beginner:
Start with Tiếng Việt 123 – Level A.
Want to progress from beginner to intermediate:
Choose the Tiếng Việt 123 A + B1 Combo.
Want more structured pronunciation and foundational exercises:
Choose Elementary Vietnamese – Books 1 & 2.
Already speak some Vietnamese:
Consider Tiếng Việt 123 – Level B1.
How to learn Vietnamese more effectively
Start with pronunciation and tones rather than memorising hundreds of isolated words. Learn complete phrases, read dialogues aloud and reuse what you learn in real situations.
For example, after studying a restaurant lesson, practise ordering Vietnamese food. After a shopping lesson, practise asking prices. Short, regular study sessions are usually more useful than trying to complete several lessons at once.
Buy Vietnamese learning books in Australia
Tidosa stocks Vietnamese textbooks for foreigners, including beginner and intermediate courses, English-supported learning materials and other language-learning books.
Browse Language Learning Books →
