Vietnamese

American  

[vee-et-nah-meez, -mees, -nuh-, vyet-, vee-it-] / viˌɛt nɑˈmiz, -ˈmis, -nə-, ˌvyɛt-, ˌvi ɪt- /

adjective

1. of or relating to Vietnam or its inhabitants.

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noun

plural

Vietnamese

1. Formerly Annamite.  Formerly Annamese.  the Austroasiatic language of Vietnam.

2. Sometimes Offensive. a native or inhabitant of Vietnam.

vietnamese British  

/ ˌvjɛtnəˈmiːz /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Vietnam, its people, or their language

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Vietnam

2. the language of Vietnam, probably related to the Mon-Khmer languages

Sensitive Note

Some words that describe national or ethnic identities are acceptable as plural nouns, but are either rare or offensive in the singular. This is the case for Vietnamese. It’s sometimes acceptable as a plural noun (a candidate favored by Vietnamese ). However, it's sometimes offensive as a singular noun (the candidate who is a Vietnamese ). Such words are always perfectly appropriate as adjectives (strategies to get Vietnamese voters to the polls).

Other Word Forms

• anti-Vietnamese adjectiveanti-Vietnamese
• pro-Vietnamese adjectivepro-Vietnamese

Etymology

Origin of Vietnamese

First recorded in 1945–50; Vietnam + -ese

Example Sentences

"The most consequential leaders in Vietnamese modern history are remembered for structural transformation," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Find Vietnamese cinnamon — sometimes labeled Saigon cinnamon — and bring it home.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

A sign reading “Where Vietnamese coffee talks…” blinks overhead in the alley leading to this speakeasy-like cafe in the Old Quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

The four suspects – two Belgians, a Vietnamese and a Kenyan - had pleaded guilty to the charges after their arrest in what the KWS described as "a co-ordinated, intelligence-led operation".

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong were now working together, and getting more aggressive in their attacks.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin