yes

The word "vâng" is the standard, polite way to express agreement or affirmation in Vietnamese. It functions as a respectful "yes," usually used when speaking to someone older, of higher status, or in a formal setting. It carries a sense of deference and acknowledges the listener's authority or seniority. In more casual settings, you might hear "ừ" (for peers) or "dạ" (a softer, highly polite particle often used at the beginning of sentences). While "vâng" is a direct translation of "yes," in many contexts, Vietnamese speakers prefer to repeat the verb of the question to confirm (e.g., "Are you eating?" → "Eating" instead of "Yes").

In conversation