1. Language Habits: Write Copy with Vietnamese Thinking, Not Translation
Vietnamese users prefer short, conversational expressions, especially using particles like ânhĂ©â and ânhaâ to build rapport. For example, in promotional copy, âMua ngay nhĂ©!â (Buy now!) feels warmer than âHĂŁy mua ngay.â Avoid directly translating long Chinese sentences, as Vietnamese grammar differsâmodifiers are usually placed after nouns, e.g., âĂĄo mĂ u Äá»â (red shirt) instead of âred shirt.â Before writing, list 3 core points, then restructure sentences following Vietnamese word order.
2. Cultural Taboos: Avoid Red Text and the Number 4
In Vietnamese culture, red text is typically used for funerals or warnings, so avoid red fonts in everyday copy, especially in headings and buttons. The number 4 is avoided because it sounds like âdeathâ in Vietnamese; in promotions, skip 4 in pricing and package numbersâe.g., use 399,000â« instead of 400,000â«. Additionally, Vietnamese people favor even numbers, believing they bring good luck, so event dates and quantities (e.g., âfirst 20 customersâ) are more appealing than odd numbers. Checklist: Check if copy contains red text, the number 4, or odd quantities.
3. Visual Preferences: Image Text Ratio and Color Choices
Vietnamese users are highly sensitive to text in images, especially on promotional posters. Keep text under 15 Vietnamese words per image, with a font size of at least 24px for readability on mobile. For colors, yellow and gold symbolize wealth and are ideal for coupons and discount tags; blue and green represent trust, suitable for financial or health services. Avoid pure white backgrounds with black text, as Vietnamese users prefer high-contrast designsâuse light gray or pale yellow backgrounds instead.
4. Call to Action: Specific Steps to Prompt Immediate Action
On Zalo OA, the goal of copy is to drive clicks or messages. Donât just say âContact usâ; provide 3 specific steps:
- Step 1: Click the âClaim Nowâ button below
- Step 2: Enter your phone number (Vietnamese format: 09x/03x/07x)
- Step 3: Screenshot the confirmation page and send it to the OA chat
5. Testing and Optimization: 3 Checkpoints
Before publishing, quickly verify your copy with these 3 checkpoints:
- Does it include common Vietnamese particles (nhĂ©, nha, áșĄ)?
- Does it avoid red text and the number 4?
- Does the call to action include specific steps (at least 2)?