Mastering Vietnamese Typing: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Beyond

Typing in Vietnamese can seem daunting at first, especially if you’re accustomed to the standard English keyboard layout. The Vietnamese language uses diacritics – those little marks above, below, or within letters – to indicate tones and different vowels, which are crucial for correct pronunciation and meaning. However, with a little guidance and practice, you’ll find that it’s not as challenging as it initially appears. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from setting up your system to mastering the various input methods.

Understanding Vietnamese Characters and Diacritics

Before diving into the technical aspects, let’s briefly review the core elements of Vietnamese writing:

• Vowels: Vietnamese has 12 basic vowel sounds, represented by combinations of the six primary vowels (a, e, i, o, u, y) with diacritics. These diacritics drastically change the pronunciation and meaning of words.
• Consonants: Like English, Vietnamese uses consonants to form words. However, some consonant combinations might seem unfamiliar to English speakers.
• Tones: Vietnamese is a tonal language, meaning the pitch at which a syllable is spoken changes its meaning. There are six tones, represented by five diacritic marks (grave, acute, hook, tilde, and dot below) and one unmarked (level tone).

Understanding how these diacritics interact with the base letters is key to accurately typing in Vietnamese. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Acute Accent (´): Used for the rising tone (sắc). Example: á, ế, í, ó, ú, ứ, ý
• Grave Accent (`): Used for the falling tone (huyền). Example: à, è, ì, ò, ù, ừ, ỳ
• Hook/Circumflex (ˆ): Used to create modified vowels â, ê, ô. Example: â, ê, ô
• Tilde (~): Used for the wavering tone (hỏi). Example: ã, ẽ, ĩ, õ, ũ, ỹ
• Dot Below (.): Used for the low falling tone (nặng). Example: ạ, ẹ, ị, ọ, ụ, ỵ
• Horn (): Used to create the vowels ư, ơ. Example: ư, ơ
• Brief (): Used to create the vowel ă. Example: ă
• Dashes ( – ): Used to create the ‘đ’ character

Setting Up Your System for Vietnamese Typing

To type in Vietnamese, you’ll need to install a suitable input method (also known as a keyboard layout) on your operating system. Here are instructions for the most common systems:

Windows

1. Go to Settings: Click the Windows Start button and select the Settings icon (gear).
2. Select Time & Language: In the Settings window, click on “Time & Language.”
3. Choose Language: From the left sidebar, click on “Language.”
4. Add a Language: Under the “Preferred languages” section, click the “Add a language” button.
5. Search for Vietnamese: Type “Vietnamese” in the search bar and select it from the list.
6. Install Vietnamese: Click “Next” and then “Install.” Usually, Windows will automatically install the required input methods.
7. Select Keyboard Layout: Once installed you might need to go to the language options and click options for the Vietnamese layout and choose the correct layout.
8. Switch Between Languages: You can switch between languages using the language indicator icon on the system tray (usually “ENG” or “VIE”) or by using the shortcut keys (Windows key + Spacebar).

macOS

1. Open System Preferences: Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and choose “System Preferences.”
2. Select Keyboard: Click on the “Keyboard” icon.
3. Choose Input Sources: Click on the “Input Sources” tab.
4. Add a Language: Click the “+” button at the bottom left of the list.
5. Search for Vietnamese: Scroll down or search for “Vietnamese” and select it. Click “Add”.
6. Select Keyboard Layout: You will be provided with a list of keyboard layouts. The most common are Telex and VIQR. Choose the layout you prefer or try each one.
7. Switch Between Languages: You can switch between languages using the language indicator icon in the menu bar (usually a small flag) or by using the shortcut keys (Control + Spacebar).

Linux (Ubuntu as Example)

1. Open Settings: Click the system menu (usually the gear icon) and select “Settings.”
2. Go to Region & Language: Choose “Region & Language.”
3. Add an Input Source: Under the “Input Sources” section, click the “+” button.
4. Search for Vietnamese: Type “Vietnamese” in the search bar and select it.
5. Select a Keyboard Layout: Choose the desired keyboard layout from the list (e.g., Telex, VIQR, etc.).
6. Switch Between Languages: Use the keyboard indicator or shortcut key to switch. Generally, Super + Space is the default.

Smartphones (Android and iOS)

Mobile devices generally handle Vietnamese input in a similar way. Here are brief instructions for Android and iOS:

Android

1. Go to Settings: Find and open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Navigate to Language & Input: The exact location may vary slightly depending on your Android version and manufacturer, but generally, it can be found under “System,” then “Language & input,” or under “General Management” then “Language and input”.
3. Choose Input Method: Tap on “Virtual Keyboard” or a similar option.
4. Manage Keyboards: Select “Manage Keyboards”.
5. Add Vietnamese Keyboard: Look for the option to add a new keyboard and select “Vietnamese”.
6. Select a Keyboard Layout: You might have the option to select a specific layout like Telex or VNI.
7. Switch Keyboards: When typing, a small keyboard icon should appear on your keyboard. You can use this to switch to the Vietnamese keyboard.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open Settings: Find and open the Settings app.
2. Go to General: Tap on “General”.
3. Choose Keyboard: Select “Keyboard”.
4. Tap Keyboards: Tap on the “Keyboards” option.
5. Add a New Keyboard: Tap “Add New Keyboard…”
6. Search for Vietnamese: Find and select “Vietnamese”.
7. Select a Keyboard Layout: You will be provided with a list of keyboard layouts. The most common are Telex and VIQR. Choose the layout you prefer or try each one.
8. Switch Keyboards: When typing, tap and hold the globe icon on your keyboard to switch between keyboards.

Common Vietnamese Input Methods

There are several different methods to type Vietnamese using a regular keyboard. The most popular and widely used are Telex and VNI. These methods essentially translate your keyboard strokes into Vietnamese characters with diacritics. Here’s a closer look at each:

Telex

Telex is a popular and relatively intuitive method that uses the keyboard keys to represent Vietnamese diacritics. The idea is to use letter combinations to create marks over vowels. Here’s a table of mappings:

Examples:

• To type “Việt Nam” you would type: “Vieetj Nam”
• To type “Chào bạn” you would type: “Chafo baanj”
• To type “tôi” you would type “tooi”

VIQR

VIQR (Vietnamese Quoted-Readable) is another common input method that is easier for those who are more familiar with using symbols. Here’s the breakdown of characters:

Examples:

• To type “Việt Nam” you would type: “Vietj Nam”
• To type “Chào bạn” you would type: “Cha`o ba.n”
• To type “tôi” you would type “to*i”

VNI

VNI is less commonly used than Telex or VIQR but is an alternative. The main diacritic key combinations are numbers. Here’s a simple table:

Examples:

• To type “Việt Nam” you would type: “Vie6t5 Nam”
• To type “Chào bạn” you would type: “Cha2o ban5”
• To type “tôi” you would type “to7i”

Tips for Mastering Vietnamese Typing

Here are some practical tips to help you become more proficient at typing in Vietnamese:

• Choose one method and stick to it: It’s best to focus on mastering one input method (like Telex or VIQR) rather than trying to learn them all at once. This will help you build muscle memory.
• Practice regularly: The more you practice, the faster you’ll become. Set aside some time each day to type in Vietnamese.
• Use Typing Practice Websites: There are numerous websites available offering specific practice for Vietnamese typing. Look up “Vietnamese typing practice” in a search engine for resources.
• Use a Vietnamese keyboard sticker: If you are finding it difficult to remember all of the various keyboard strokes, you can purchase inexpensive Vietnamese keyboard stickers. These can stick onto your keyboard and can serve as a quick reference guide.
• Use an online editor for checking: Before you post a piece of writing online, paste the writing in an online editor. They are generally better at flagging any writing mistakes (including diacritics and spelling) than basic text editors.
• Start with Simple Words and Sentences: Don’t try to type complex paragraphs right away. Begin by typing simple words and short sentences, gradually increasing the difficulty as you improve.
• Familiarize Yourself with Common Words: Focus on words and phrases that you’ll frequently use. This will make typing more relevant and engaging.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when they’re learning something new. Don’t get discouraged if you type something wrong. Just correct it and keep practicing.
• Be Patient: Learning to type in Vietnamese takes time and effort. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see results right away. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually reach your goals.
• Use a Vietnamese Keyboard Layout App: If you find yourself using several devices, try installing an app that simulates the Vietnamese keyboard. It can be a useful tool in practicing, and often comes with a guide on the different keyboard strokes.

Conclusion

Typing in Vietnamese may seem like a challenge, but with proper setup, knowledge of the input methods, and consistent practice, you’ll find that it becomes easier and more natural over time. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to comfortably communicating in Vietnamese through text. Remember, patience and practice are key!