Learn to type Vietnamese

This page will guide you through the basics of using the Telex input method to type Vietnamese characters.

Once you are done, try playing Vietnamese Typing Quest to test your skills.

What is the Telex Input Method?

The Telex input method is a way to type Vietnamese characters using a standard computer keyboard. It works by typing additional letters to add diacritics to the base letters. For example, typing aa will produce â.

Telex Key Mappings

Below is a table of key mappings for the Telex input method, including the Vietnamese names of the accents:

Use a, e, o twice to add a hat: â, ê, ô.
Use d twice to add a stroke: đ.
Use w to add a breve: ă, ơ, ư.
Use s to add an rising tone accent: á, é, í, ó, ú, ý.
Use f to add a falling tone accent: à, è, ì, ò, ù, ỳ.
Use r to add a question tone accent: ả, ẻ, ỉ, ỏ, ủ, ỷ.
Use x to add a wavy tone accent: ã, ẽ, ĩ, õ, ũ, ỹ.
Use j to add a heavy tone (dot) accent below: ạ, ẹ, ị, ọ, ụ, ỵ.

Note: The Telex method is case-insensitive, so you can use uppercase or lowercase letters to add diacritics.

Software setup

You can setup the software needed for Telex by following along with the videos below for your operating system.

Examples

Try typing the following words using the Telex input method:

Basic Diacritics

Type the following words:

caf phee → cà phê
hoa → hoa
tooi → tôi
gia vij → gia vị

Combining Diacritics

Type the following words with multiple diacritics:

dduwowfng → đường
hoas → hóa
nguyeexn → nguyễn

Full Sentences

Type the following sentences:

Tooi las nguwowis Vieejt Nam. → Tôi là người Việt Nam.
Hoom nay trowfi ddejp quas! → Hôm nay trời đẹp quá!
Bajn cos khoer khoong? → Bạn có khỏe không?

Conclusion

With practice, you'll become proficient in using the Telex input method to type Vietnamese characters. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature!