(This article is written by a Japanese person who loves Vietnam and has spent nine years living and working here.)

When and how did you first hear the Vietnamese language? For me, it was through a song by V-pop singer Tóc Tiên on YouTube. Later, when I decided to become a Japanese teacher in Vietnam, I started learning the language little by little. At that time, I thought Vietnamese would be like Japanese—that there was just one "standard language" and learning it would be enough. I was wrong!

The Three Main Dialects
As you may know, Vietnamese has three main dialects: Northern, Central, and Southern. This makes the language very unique. Of course, every language has dialects, including Japanese. Usually, for efficiency, a country develops one standard language. In Japan, most people speak the "Tokyo dialect," and you can use it almost anywhere you travel. However, in Vietnam, while there is a standard language, it doesn't mean everyone speaks it in their daily lives.

The Standard is Northern, but...
Generally, "standard Vietnamese" refers to the Northern dialect spoken in Hanoi. If you use Google Translate’s voice feature, it will play the Northern accent. This is why Grab drivers follow GPS directions in a Northern voice. However, Vietnam has major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, and the dialects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are quite different.

Characteristics of the Southern Dialect
Many people visit Ho Chi Minh City for work or travel. In this city, people speak the Southern dialect. Since Northern is the standard, people will understand you if you speak it, but knowing the Southern dialect makes communication much smoother.

Compared to the Northern dialect, which has very clear consonant sounds, the Southern accent sounds a bit "softer," but the tones (rising and falling) are very distinct. Also, many Southern words are not found in textbooks. Recently, many Instagram creators make short videos about these differences, so I recommend checking those out too.

How to Practice Listening to the Southern Dialect
Thank you for your patience—here is the main part! The best way to hear the Southern dialect is through YouTube. You might think, "Oh, just YouTube?" but I have three specific channels that are incredibly helpful.

1. Ngon TV 
This channel introduces street food. You can hear natural conversations between the interviewer and shop owners. It’s full of useful expressions for food reviews. It is a great way to find delicious restaurants and practice your Vietnamese at the same time! Just a warning: don’t watch it late at night, or you’ll get hungry.

2. MCV MEDIA
This channel features various TV shows. You can watch programs where newlywed couples or people looking for partners talk with an MC. Unlike actors, these are regular people, so you can learn how to ask questions and respond to strangers. Many videos have subtitles, so you can look up words you don't know.

3. SCTV
Viet Nam This is a drama channel. You can hear the Southern dialect in many different situations. They have dramas featuring everyone from young people to the elderly, which makes for great practice.

In addition to these YouTube channels, I also recommend Podcasts. VTM1 Podcasts is particularly good! Please give it a try.

VTM1: https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/vtm-1-southern-vietnamese/id1724614337

By Takkun