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Many Vietnamese people aiming to work in Japan learn Japanese in their home country. Even so, there is often a gap between textbook Japanese and real communication, so what they want to say does not always come across well. In those moments, being able to mix in English can greatly expand the range of work they can handle.

How Good Is Vietnamese English Ability?

Some people may have little sense of how well Vietnamese people speak English. In reality, they often speak it better than we assume.

Vietnamese English Proficiency Ranks 41st Among Non-English-Speaking Countries

EF Education First, a global education organization headquartered in Switzerland, publishes the EF English Proficiency Index 2020 (EF EPI 2020). It rates English ability in countries worldwide on a five-level scale: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The survey covered 100 non-English-speaking countries and regions, and Vietnam ranked 65th.

Vietnam’s Rank Is Lowered by Education Gaps

Limited to Asia, Vietnam ranked 13th among 24 countries and regions. At first glance that may seem low, but one reason is that education gaps within Vietnam have not been fully closed. In mountainous and rural areas, many young people finish only junior high school, which pulls down the average score. In cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, however, many families start English lessons before elementary school, and more students are studying abroad at high schools and universities in the United States.

Vietnamese English Skills Are Sharpened Through Work

At markets in Vietnam, you will see many Vietnamese people serving customers in skillful English. Some can also speak French, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and other languages in addition to English.

Many Vietnamese People Have Near-Native English Ability

Vietnam places strong emphasis on language education from elementary school, and by high school you may meet young people with near-native English. Such young people often attend English cram schools from an early age, aiming for well-paid jobs where they can use their English. In those cases, if the Japanese side has a certain level of English, communication in English is fully possible without going through Japanese.

Vietnamese People Excel More on the Job Than in Classroom Study

When building language skills, Vietnamese people achieve far better results through on-the-job practice than through classroom study. The language ability of vendors who serve customers in fluent English at markets is basically acquired on site. As their singing talent shows, Vietnamese people have a good ear and little trouble catching foreign languages. So with even a modest base of English knowledge, they tend to improve quickly through practice.

Vietnamese English Has Its Own “Quirks”

Just as Japanese English is called Japanese English, Vietnamese English also has its quirks. Knowing them makes English communication easier.

The Better Their English, the Harder Vietnamese Speakers Can Be to Follow

Vietnamese people who are confident in English speak it fluently, yet it is often hard to tell what they are saying. Even if you ask them to “speak slowly,” it can still be unclear. The main reason is a large difference in how Vietnamese and Japanese people speak English.

Japanese speakers tend to pronounce each word carefully. Vietnamese pronunciation is more rough-and-ready. Sounds may be dropped or changed, which can make it hard to catch. That said, the communication gap is mainly with Japanese speakers; they converse easily with people from English-speaking countries, so it may be a matter of compatibility with Japanese English.

Quirks of Vietnamese English

Here is a quick look at quirks of Vietnamese English. Basically, Vietnamese speakers do not lengthen word endings. For example, taxi is not “takushii” but “takushi.” Likewise, dark is not “daaku” but more like “da,” with the ending skipped.

Omitting the pronunciation of word endings is another feature of Vietnamese English. Like, meaning “to like,” is not “raiku” but “rai.” Many people pronounce can, meaning “be able to,” as “kan” rather than “kyan,” and because the “not” in cannot is hard to hear, it can sound the same as “kan.”

Tips for Smooth English Conversation with Vietnamese Speakers

Vietnamese people are not especially good at slowing down to match the other person’s English level or the communication situation. If you find their English hard to follow, try word-centered conversation or use a translation app. It also helps to explain Japanese-specific English accents to them in advance. Because Vietnamese people have a strong ear for languages, they will likely adjust and converse with Japanese English in mind.

Summary

When considering hiring Vietnamese talent, attention often goes first to Japanese ability. However, Vietnamese people who speak English tend to have solid basic academic skills and communication ability, so they are likely to become valuable talent who energize the company. When you are considering hiring Vietnamese people, one option is not to focus only on Japanese ability and to look at English ability as well.

Preparing Language Support for Onboarding

Beyond assessing language ability, it is also important to adjust Japanese so it is clear after they join. For practical guidance, see Japanese Communication with Vietnamese Talent in the Workplace.