Lessons · Level 1
1-8. Emergencies — asking for help
Tình huống khẩn cấp
🎯 Goal Ask for help after an accident, a loss or when you're sick, and call emergency numbers · about 35 min
Phrases you'll be glad you memorized
In an emergency, long sentences won't come to mind. Practice the short sentences in this lesson out loud several times.
In Vietnamese, 'bị' means 'to suffer (something bad)'. It's used in bị mất (to lose), bị giật (to be snatched), bị đau (to be in pain).
Vietnam's emergency numbers are 113 police · 114 fire and rescue · 115 ambulance. Emergency calls from mobile phones are free.
Emergency numbers
| Vietnamese | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | police Crime, theft, traffic accidents | mohk mohk ba |
| 114 | fire and rescue Fire, being stuck in an elevator, etc. | mohk mohk bohng |
| 115 | ambulance Medical emergencies, serious injuries | mohk mohk nam |
Emergency words
| Vietnamese | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| công an | police | kohng ang |
| bệnh viện | hospital | buhn yee-uhng |
| nhà thuốc | pharmacy | nya too-uhk |
| xe cấp cứu | ambulance | seh kuhp kew-oo |
| tai nạn | accident | tai nang |
| bị giật đồ | to get robbed (snatch theft) | bee yuhk doh |
| ví | wallet South: v sounds like y | yee |
| điện thoại | phone | dee-uhng twai |
| hộ chiếu | passport | hoh chee-oo |
| bị thương | to be injured | bee tew-uhng |
| sốt | fever | sohk |
| chóng mặt | dizzy | chawng mak |
Sentences for asking for help
| Vietnamese | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Cứu tôi với! | Help me! For real emergencies | kew-oo toy yuhy! |
| Giúp tôi với! | Please help me! | yoop toy yuhy! |
| Tôi bị mất ví. | I lost my wallet. | toy bee muhk yee. |
| Tôi bị giật điện thoại. | My phone was snatched. | toy bee yuhk dee-uhng twai. |
| Tôi bị đau ở đây. | It hurts here. | toy bee dao uh duhy. |
| Tôi bị đau bụng. | I have a stomachache. | toy bee dao boong. |
| Gọi xe cấp cứu giùm tôi! | Please call an ambulance! | goy seh kuhp kew-oo yoom toy! |
| Gọi công an giùm tôi! | Please call the police! | goy kohng ang yoom toy! |
| Có ai nói tiếng Anh không? | Does anyone speak English? | kaw ai noy tee-uhng an khohng? |
| Bệnh viện gần nhất ở đâu? | Where is the nearest hospital? | buhn yee-uhng guhng nyuhk uh duh-oo? |
| Tôi cần liên lạc với lãnh sự quán nước tôi. | I need to contact my country's consulate. Or name it: lãnh sự quán Mỹ (US), Anh (UK), Úc (Australia)… Embassy = đại sứ quán. | toy kuhng lee-uhng lak yuhy lan sew wang new-uhk toy. |
Real conversation — when your phone gets snatched
Minsu was waiting for a Grab by the road in Thảo Điền, looking at his phone, when a motorbike thief snatched it. He asks the staff at a nearby shop for help, then talks to the policewoman who arrives.
| Minsu | Cứu tôi với! Có người giật điện thoại của tôi! | Help! Someone snatched my phone! |
| Shop staff | Trời ơi! Anh có sao không? | Oh my! Are you okay? |
| Minsu | Tôi không sao, nhưng tôi bị mất điện thoại. | I'm okay, but I lost my phone. |
| Shop staff | Hai người đi xe máy chạy hướng kia rồi. | Two people on a motorbike went that way. |
| Minsu | Chị gọi công an giùm tôi được không? | Could you call the police for me? |
| Shop staff | Được, để chị gọi 113. | Sure, I'll call 113. |
| Police officer | Anh bị mất gì? | What did you lose? |
| Minsu | Dạ, điện thoại. | My phone. |
| Police officer | Chuyện xảy ra lúc mấy giờ? | What time did it happen? |
| Minsu | Khoảng mười phút trước. | About ten minutes ago. |
| Police officer | Anh đi với tôi về đồn công an để làm biên bản nha. | Please come with me to the police station to file a report. |
| Minsu | Dạ. Ở đồn có ai nói tiếng Anh không ạ? | Okay. Is there anyone at the station who speaks English? |
| Police officer | Có, anh yên tâm. | Yes, don't worry. |
Your embassy or consulate — emergency contacts
Save your country's embassy or consulate emergency number in your phone now. Many countries have a Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City; otherwise use your embassy in Hanoi. Numbers can change, so check the official website from time to time.
For theft or loss, get a confirmation letter (giấy xác nhận) or a written report (biên bản) from the police station. You'll need it to replace your passport or claim on insurance.
Preventing snatch theft and accidents
- The most common crime in Ho Chi Minh City is motorbike snatch theft. Don't hold your phone in the hand nearest the road. When waiting for a Grab, wait inside or close to the building.
- If something gets snatched, don't chase or grab hold of the thief. Many people are dragged and injured.
- Leave your original passport at home and carry a photo and a copy.
- 112 is the number for disaster and water search and rescue. For ordinary incidents call 113; for medical emergencies call 115.
- Foreigners may have to pay for treatment up front at hospitals. Make sure you have international health insurance.