Private online Vietnamese lessons
mangangghost
huyềnbut
sắcmother
mảhỏitomb
ngãhorse
mạnặngseedling

One word. Six tones. Six completely different meanings.

That's Vietnamese — and it's exactly where we'll start. I'm Emily, a TESOL-certified, trilingual teacher in Ho Chi Minh City. I teach Vietnamese one-on-one, entirely online, to people who actually want to speak it.

TESOL Certified  ·  Native Vietnamese Speaker  ·  Trilingual VN / EN / CN  ·  Ho Chi Minh City (GMT+7)

Nguyễn Thị Phương (Emily), Vietnamese language teacher
Meet your teacher

Nguyễn Thị Phương

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Before I taught, I spent years being the person companies trusted to explain complicated things clearly — interpreting in executive meetings, and standing between clients and everything that gets lost in translation. Those years taught me almost as much about teaching as a classroom would: how to slow down, notice what someone actually understood versus what they just nodded along to, and stay patient when an explanation needs a third try.

I hold degrees in English Translation & Interpreting and Chinese Language Studies, I'm TESOL-certified, and Vietnamese has been my first language since birth — so lessons come from someone who has studied how languages actually work, not just someone who happens to speak one.

TESOL Certified — Australian International TESOL B.A. English Translation & Interpreting B.A. Chinese Language Studies Native VN · Advanced EN · Academic CN
Why learn with Emily

Lessons built around one student — you.

No cohort to keep up with and no fixed syllabus. Just a teacher who adjusts to how you learn.

Actually one-on-one

Every lesson is planned around your pace, your goals, and your mistakes — not a group curriculum.

Trained to teach, not just to talk

TESOL-certified with a background in translation and interpreting, so you get the "why," not just the "repeat after me."

Built for real conversation

Years spent interpreting for executives and de-escalating client calls mean lessons focus on language you'll actually use.

Flexible, wherever you are

Based in Ho Chi Minh City (GMT+7), scheduled around your timezone, entirely by video call.

How lessons work

Three steps, starting with a conversation.

1

1 trial class, 1 hour

No pressure — just a chance to talk about where you're starting from and what you want out of Vietnamese.

2

Get a plan built for you

A simple learning path based on your level, your goals — travel, work, family, or curiosity — and how much time you have.

3

1:1 lessons, 3 times a week

Regular sessions by video call, with real feedback between lessons — not just an hour a week and silence after.

What we'll work on

Wherever you're headed with Vietnamese, we'll build toward it.

Everyday conversation Travel & daily life Vietnamese Pronunciation & the six tones Reading & writing (Quốc Ngữ script) Workplace & business Vietnamese Vietnamese for partners & family Culture, customs & etiquette Exam & heritage learners
Questions

Before you book

Do I need to know the Vietnamese alphabet already?

No — we can start from zero. Vietnamese uses the Latin alphabet with added tone marks and a few extra letters, so most learners pick up reading faster than they expect.

What if I'm a complete beginner?

That's the most common starting point. The first lessons focus on pronunciation and the tone system, since getting that right early makes everything after it easier.

Do you teach Northern or Southern pronunciation?

Lessons are taught in modern standard Vietnamese, with clear notes on the differences between Northern (Hanoi) and Southern (Ho Chi Minh City) pronunciation, so you're not caught off guard travelling between regions.

What platform do we use for lessons?

Via Zoom or Google Meet.

How do I pay?

Details are confirmed on the intro call — international bank transfer, PayPal, and Wise are all options.

Can I reschedule a lesson?

Yes, with at least 24 hours' notice. Life happens — just message ahead of time.

Get started

Let's start with a conversation.

Book a free 20-minute intro call — no commitment, just a chance to meet and figure out where to start.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam · GMT+7 · Usually replies within 24 hours