Northern Vietnamese speaking apps fall into four groups: apps where you repeat recorded sentences, AI chat and roleplay, tutors you book, and exchange apps where you talk with other people. In Bubblegum, Poppy explains Northern Vietnamese sentences and plays a roleplay. Glossika has a Northern Vietnamese course where you repeat sentences, and Talkpal, Pimsleur, HelloTalk, italki and Preply cover the rest. For courses and reading apps, see our Vietnamese app comparison.
Bubblegum
For serious learners, Bubblegum is the best app to learn Vietnamese. You learn from Vietnamese you can mostly understand, which is called comprehensible input.
Tell Poppy, your AI tutor, your level and what you like, and she writes your Northern Vietnamese lessons. If a sentence is hard to follow, ask Poppy to explain it, or ask her to roleplay a conversation.
With Regenerative Review™, words you save show up again in new lessons, so that you can review words in new contexts without having to use flashcards.
- Northern Vietnamese lessons are written at your level, with English explanations.
- Ask Poppy to explain a sentence, or to roleplay a conversation.
- Clear, expressive AI voices read every lesson aloud, with a different voice for each speaker.
- Learn every letter and its sound in the free Vietnamese Quốc Ngữ course.
- Poppy answers your questions about the lesson, but Bubblegum does not score how you say a Vietnamese word or its tone.
- Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read.
- Regenerative Review™
- Teaches Quốc Ngữ
Mobile
Glossika
Glossika works well if tones and rhythm are your worry: you hear a Northern Vietnamese sentence, say it back, and meet it again on a schedule.
- The Northern Vietnamese course has you repeat and shadow whole sentences, and spaced repetition brings sentences back.
- Native recordings are there to compare with your own voice.
MobileWeb
These apps put you in a conversation. Some use AI, some use a paid teacher and some use another learner. Vietnamese has northern, central and southern speech, so ask a teacher or partner which one they speak before you start.
Other Apps We Looked At (5)
- TalkpalOffers a Vietnamese course with scripted Dialogue mode. Premium adds Call, Roleplays, Characters and Debates, and Talkpal advertises pronunciation and grammar corrections. You get 10 minutes of basic chat a day for free.
- PimsleurA paid Vietnamese course built from recorded conversations: you answer each prompt aloud and follow a set lesson order. A sample lesson and a 7-day trial are advertised.
- HelloTalkChat with Vietnamese speakers or sit in on group Voicerooms. Core exchange is advertised as free, and corrections depend on who you talk to.
- italkiTeachers set their own prices for online Vietnamese lessons. Book one-to-one conversation time and ask for feedback during the lesson.
- PreplyVietnamese tutors give one-to-one lessons, with everyday conversation among the goals. The first step is a paid trial lesson, followed by a lesson plan.
| App | Usable in | Learning help in | How you practice | Feedback | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | Yes | Partly | Ask Poppy or have her roleplay | Poppy answers and explains | Lessons written for others |
| Glossika | Yes | Unconfirmed | Repeat and shadow sentences | Native recordings to compare | 7-day trial |
| Talkpal | Yes | Unconfirmed | Scripted dialogue, AI call, roleplay | Pronunciation and grammar corrections | 10 minutes of basic chat a day |
| Pimsleur | Yes | Yes | Answer recorded prompts aloud | Model audio, AI pronunciation feedback advertised | Sample lesson, 7-day trial |
| HelloTalk | Yes | Depends on your partner | Partner chat, group Voicerooms | From your partner | Core exchange free |
| italki | Yes | Depends on the teacher | Live lesson with a teacher | Teacher feedback | Teacher sets the price |
| Preply | Yes | Depends on the tutor | Live lesson with a tutor | Tutor feedback | Paid trial lesson |
To build words and sentences first, see our Vietnamese vocabulary app comparison and our Vietnamese comprehensible input app comparison. For a plan that mixes them, see the best way to learn Vietnamese.
Which Vietnamese speaking app should a beginner choose?
If you are serious about learning Vietnamese, start with Bubblegum. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes lessons at your level about things you like. Pimsleur suits a beginner who wants every lesson laid out in order. Wait with italki or Preply until you can say a few sentences.
Can I practice speaking Northern Vietnamese for free?
Partly. Talkpal gives 10 minutes of basic chat a day and HelloTalk advertises free core exchange. Glossika and Pimsleur each advertise a 7-day trial, Pimsleur also has a sample lesson, and Talkpal's Premium trial lasts 14 days. italki and Preply charge for lessons.
Do these apps check my Vietnamese pronunciation?
Talkpal advertises pronunciation and grammar corrections. Glossika gives you native recordings to compare with, and a score for your Vietnamese or tones is not confirmed. Pimsleur advertises AI pronunciation feedback, which is not a promise of accuracy. Teachers and partners hear you themselves. Bubblegum does not score pronunciation or tones.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. Lessons Poppy wrote for other learners are free for everyone to read. Custom lessons cost us money to make, so you need Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- Glossika: Northern Vietnamese course
- Glossika: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Talkpal: Vietnamese course
- Talkpal: Pricing
- Talkpal: Roleplays
- Talkpal: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Pimsleur: Vietnamese course
- Pimsleur: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- HelloTalk: Vietnamese
- HelloTalk: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- italki: Vietnamese teachers
- italki: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Preply: Vietnamese tutors
- Preply: iPhone App Store listing (languages you can use it in)
- Bubblegum
