"Một, hai, ba, dô!": how to say cheers in Vietnamese

The most common way to say cheers in Vietnamese is "Một, hai, ba, dô!", a group count of "one, two, three" followed by a shout as everyone clinks glasses. You will also hear "Trăm phần trăm!" ("One hundred percent!"), which means finish your glass.

Breaking down "Một, hai, ba, dô!"

• Một ("moht"): one.
• Hai ("high"): two.
• Ba ("bah"): three.
• Dô ("yoh" in the South, "zoh" in the North): the shout that comes with the clink.

Dô is generally explained as a spoken form of vô ("in"), so the toast feels like "one, two, three, in!" or "down it!" You will see it written as dô, zô or vô, depending on the speaker and region. Usage varies, and nobody will mind which spelling you text.

The count is usually shouted together by the whole table, and it often repeats several times over an evening. It is loud, cheerful and very much a group activity.

Other toasts you will hear

• Trăm phần trăm! ("100 percent!"): drink the whole glass. Often shortened to "Trăm phần trăm nhé!"
• Cạn ly! ("Empty the glass!"): similar meaning, a little more formal-sounding.
• Chúc sức khỏe! ("To your health!"): good for formal dinners, weddings and toasts to elders.
• Năm mươi phần trăm. ("50 percent.") A half-glass compromise that people sometimes negotiate.

At weddings or company dinners, someone might give a short speech that ends with "Chúc sức khỏe!" and the table answers together.

Drinking etiquette

Vietnamese drinking culture is social, and a few customs help you fit in:

• Wait for a group toast before your first sip, especially at the start.
• Hold your glass lower than an elder's when clinking, as a sign of respect.
• Use two hands, or one hand on the glass and the other supporting your wrist or arm, when toasting someone older.
• Make eye contact and smile during the clink.
• Toast individuals too: it is common to raise a glass to one person, especially the host.

These customs vary by family and region, so watching the table is always the best guide.

Saying no to a drink

Group toasting can mean a lot of glasses. You are always allowed to say no or slow down. Some gentle ways:

• Em không uống được. ("I can't drink.")
• Em uống nước ngọt thôi. ("I'll just have a soft drink.")
• Em uống ít thôi. ("Just a little for me.")
• Em phải lái xe. ("I have to drive.") A reason almost everyone accepts.

You can still join the toast with water, tea or soda; the clink matters more than what is in the glass. Our guide on how to say no in Vietnamese without sounding rude has more ways to decline politely.

Where you will hear it

• Sidewalk beer spots, where friends gather on low plastic stools. See plastic stools and sidewalk life in Vietnam.
• Family celebrations, from birthdays to Tết.
• Weddings, where couples often go table to table toasting guests.
• Work dinners, which can involve many rounds of toasts.

Other useful party phrases

• Bắt đầu thôi! ("Let's start!") A natural lead-in before the first toast. See bắt đầu: how to say let's begin.
• Cảm ơn mọi người! ("Thanks, everyone!")
• Vui quá! ("This is so fun!")
• Uống từ từ thôi. ("Drink slowly.") A friendly reminder.

Pronunciation tips

Một is short and low, with a quick stop at the end. Hai is level, like the English "high." Ba is flat and open. Dô is drawn out and loud, the payoff of the count. Practice the rhythm: one, two, three, then a big, happy "DÔ!"

A quick script for your first toast

Raise your glass, look around the table and say: "Một, hai, ba, dô!" When everyone answers and clinks, take a sip (or finish the glass if someone calls "trăm phần trăm").

The next time you raise a glass with Vietnamese friends, lead the count yourself; it is the fastest way to get a laugh and a cheer.