If you only want to purchase one Vietnamese language book, Essential Vietnamese is the way to go. Part of Tuttle Publishing's Essential Series, it is an excellent beginner guide to the language of Vietnam, and is also designed as a phrasebook--making it the most versatile Vietnamese language learning tool on the market.
Perfect for business people or tourists traveling to Vietnam, or for students who want to supplement their learning, this book's easy indexing feature allows it to act as a Vietnamese phrasebook or an English-Vietnamese Dictionary. A clever "point to" feature allows you to simply point to a phrase translated in Vietnamese without the need to say a single word or read a single character.
In addition, language involving terms and phrases covering the latest technology, using social media, and tips on the essentials of travel--like arranging accommodations, dining out, and dealing with transportation and emergencies--is also effectively covered in extraordinary detail.
Essential Vietnamese includes: