How to say happy birthday in Vietnamese
Chúc mừng sinh nhật
Say it like this: chook MUNG sin NYUT
To say happy birthday in Vietnamese, you say "Chúc mừng sinh nhật". It is used all over Vietnam and by Vietnamese families around the world. Below you will find how to say it, other friendly ways to wish someone well, and the song people sing.
"Chúc mừng" means "congratulations" or "best wishes". "Sinh nhật" means birthday ("sinh" is birth and "nhật" is day). So it means "best wishes on your birthday".
Other ways to say happy birthday in Vietnamese
- Sinh nhật vui vẻ!Say it like this: sin NYUT voo-ee VEHMeans "happy birthday" ("vui vẻ" is happy). Casual and cheerful, great for friends.
- Chúc mừng sinh nhật bạn!Say it like this: chook MUNG sin NYUT BAHNMeans "happy birthday, friend". Good for friends and people your own age.
- Chúc mừng tuổi mới!Say it like this: chook MUNG twoy MUH-eeMeans "happy new age". A popular, upbeat way to wish someone well.
- Chúc anh sinh nhật vui vẻ / Chúc chị sinh nhật vui vẻSay it like this: chook AHN (or CHEE) sin NYUT voo-ee VEH"Anh" is for a man a bit older than you, "chị" for a woman a bit older. Vietnamese picks the word for "you" by age.
- Chúc ông bà sống lâu trăm tuổiSay it like this: chook ohm BAH shohm LOH chum TWOYMeans "wishing you a life of a hundred years". A respectful wish for grandparents and elders.
- Chúc bạn luôn khỏe mạnh và hạnh phúcSay it like this: chook BAHN lwon KWEH mahn vah hahn FOOKMeans "wishing you good health and happiness always". A lovely extra line for a card.
The Happy Birthday song in Vietnamese
Chúc mừng sinh nhật,
chúc mừng sinh nhật,
chúc mừng sinh nhật [name],
chúc mừng sinh nhật.
This is sung to the usual Happy Birthday tune, and the English version is also very common at parties in Vietnam.
Birthday customs
- In Vietnam, people traditionally all turned one year older together at Tết, the Lunar New Year. Children still receive lucky money in red envelopes at Tết, called "mừng tuổi", which means "celebrating age".
- In Vietnam, a baby's first birthday is marked with a party called "thôi nôi". Small objects are laid out, and the one the baby picks up is said to hint at their future.
- In Vietnam, families hold special longevity celebrations, called "mừng thọ", for older relatives on big birthdays such as 70 and 80.
A quick tip
Vietnamese is a tonal language, so the little marks above and below the letters change the meaning. Try to keep them when you write it. If you cannot type them, "Chuc mung sinh nhat" will still be understood in a text message.
Questions people ask
How do you say happy birthday in Vietnamese to a friend?
Say "Sinh nhật vui vẻ!" or "Chúc mừng sinh nhật bạn!". Both are warm and natural.
How do you wish an older person happy birthday?
Use a respectful word for "you", such as "ông" (grandfather) or "bà" (grandmother), and add "sống lâu trăm tuổi", which wishes them a long life.
What do you say back?
Say "Cảm ơn" (gahm UHN), which means thank you.
Wish someone happy birthday in Vietnamese
Type their name, and we will turn it into a birthday surprise in Vietnamese: a gift box to open, confetti, their name in gold and the birthday song. Then send it by WhatsApp, text or email. It is free.