This first-year Vietnamese language textbook introduces college students to all aspects of the Vietnamese language and culture in twelve comprehensive chapters. Each chapter begins with a list of active vocabulary used for the selected topic, followed by dialogue and grammar utilized in everyday situations by native speakers. A Vietnamese proverb reflecting each chapter's topic reveals a different cultural component of Vietnam. Students can practice what they've learned with exercises at the end of each chapter. The book is enhanced with an answer key to the exercises, grammar indices, and full vocabulary lists.

Dr. Tri C. Tran teaches Vietnamese and Spanish linguistics at the University of California, Irvine. He has published two other books with University Press of America, including Bilingual Dictionary for Students of Linguistics.

Dr. Minh-Tam Tran teaches Vietnamese and English as a second language. She has co-authored several Vietnamese textbooks. She has taught at the University of California, Irvine, and Golden West College.