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  • Writer's pictureThe Easy Vietnamese

How to type Vietnamese with VNI and Telex keyboards

In this article, you will know how to type Vietnamese with VNI and Telex method, and how to set them up in your phone or computer. As an additional part, I will also share my opinions on each method and why I have moved from VNI to Telex. It is important to know that regardless of your choice, both ways require much practice.


How to type Vietnamese with VNI and Telex keyboards
How to type Vietnamese with VNI and Telex keyboards


UniKey/Gõ Tiếng Việt


To start with these methods on Microsoft computers, you need to download a software called UniKey or Gõ Tiếng Việt. I believe you should consider downloading either one in Mac as well as speaking from experience, I have always had issues with the Vietnamese typing on Mac.


When finishing downloading, you can install either one on your computer as instructed in the above links. After that, you can click on the icons and see the following screens.


Adjust the typing method to what you wish you use by:

  • First checking the "Bảng mã" and if incorrectly placed, finding and selecting "Unicode".

  • Clicking on the "Kiểu gõ" and find "VNI" or "Telex".

  • Finishing the setup with "Đóng".


UniKey software setup screen
UniKey software setup screen

Gõ Tiếng Việt software setup screen
Gõ Tiếng Việt software setup screen

VNI typing method


When I got to know typing devices, I started first with VNI. It is a very common typing method that has easy-to-remember rules. You just need to type the character followed instantly by a number.

  • a1 - á

  • a2 - à

  • a3 - ả

  • a4 - ã

  • a5 - ạ

  • a6 - â

  • o7 - ơ

  • a8 - ă

  • d9 - đ


For example, given this sentence "Hôm nay trời đẹp quá", this is how you will type in VNI:

  • Ho6m nay tro7i2 d9ep5 qua1

  • Hom6 nay troi72 dep95 qua1


After learning VNI, I have moved to use Telex. To me, it is a more complex way but it is more convenient for me - a person with short fingers. At the time I moved to use Telex, my family had only the big heavy computer and the upper part of numbers was very hard to reach.



Telex typing method


This has been my way since I was very young. The rules are harder to remember, but as soon as you get used to it, it is as much convenient as VNI. Telex rules are as following:

  • as - á

  • af - à

  • ar - ả

  • ax - ã

  • aj - ạ

  • aa/oo - â/ô

  • aw/uw/ow - ă/ư/ơ

  • dd - đ


Given the same sentence "Hôm nay trời đẹp quá", this is how you will type in Telex:

  • Hoom nay trowif ddejp quas

  • Hoom nay troiwf ddepj quas


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