Asking for directions in Central Vietnam: a dictionary for translating "very close

If you ask for directions here, you will always get an answer. The problem is that the answer needs to be translated.

Empirical conversion table:

It's very close" → 2 to 15 km. There's no way to know in advance. "It's a short ride away" → 10 minutes by motorbike, 40 minutes on foot, and the person answering is assuming you're going by motorbike. Right there" — either within sight, or not. "So far away" — genuinely far. This line is the most trustworthy on the whole list. Go straight, then turn right at the intersection" → there are at least three intersections before that particular intersection.

Vì sao lại thế? Không phải vì người ta muốn làm khó bạn — hoàn toàn ngược lại. Ở đây, nói "tôi không biết" bị coi là hơi lạnh lùng với người đang cần giúp. Nên người ta sẽ cố đưa cho bạn một câu trả lời, kể cả khi độ chắc chắn chỉ khoảng 60%.

This is actually a form of kindness. It's just not very useful.

How to ask questions that produce usable results:

• Take out your phone with the map on it. Point to your destination. People will point it out on the screen, and that will be accurate. • Ask how many minutes it takes, don't ask how far it is. People here estimate time much better than they estimate distance. • Ask two different people. If both answers match, you can trust it. Ask the shop owner or a motorbike taxi driver instead of a random passerby — they're there all day and know the area well.