# How to translate a document from Vietnamese to English

To translate a document from Vietnamese to English, upload the PDF or a photo to LoreAI, choose English and download an editable Word file. Names keep their tone marks, such as Nguyễn Thị Hương, and numbers and dates stay as written. For USCIS, a translator then certifies the full English text[1].

## Why Vietnamese is hard for basic OCR

Vietnamese uses the Latin alphabet with stacked marks. One vowel can carry a shape mark and a tone mark at once, as in ặ, ữ or ộ. A blurry scan or a basic OCR tool drops one of them, and the word changes. Ma, má, mà, mả, mã and mạ are six different words.

LoreAI reads the marks from scans and phone photos of typed and handwritten pages, translates the text and keeps every mark in names, so the English file spells people and places the way the original does.

## How to translate a Vietnamese PDF to English with LoreAI

1. **Scan or photograph each page.** Use even light and keep the page flat, so the small tone marks stay sharp.
2. **Type your email at the top of this page.** The 6-digit code we send opens LoreAI. Your first document is free, up to 3 pages and 3 MB.
3. **Choose English.** LoreAI detects Vietnamese on its own.
4. **Download the Word file.** The form's fields come back as Word tables, label next to value.

## Vietnamese names on US forms

Vietnamese names run family name first. In Nguyễn Văn An, Nguyễn is the family name, Văn the middle name and An the given name. On a US form, the family name field takes Nguyen and the given name field takes An, with Văn as the middle name, unless the person's passport or green card orders it differently. Follow that document.

Keep the marks in the translation even if US forms drop them, so the reader can match the translation to the original line by line.

## Vietnamese terms and how they read in English

- **Giấy khai sinh**: Birth certificate
- **Trích lục khai sinh, bản sao**: Birth registration extract, copy
- **Ủy ban nhân dân (UBND) xã, phường**: People's Committee of the commune or ward, the issuing office
- **Căn cước công dân**: Citizen identity card, number kept digit for digit
- **Sổ hộ khẩu**: Household registration book
- **Giấy chứng nhận kết hôn**: Marriage certificate
- **Bằng tốt nghiệp**: Graduation diploma

Vietnamese dates run day first, as in ngày 05 tháng 03 năm 1985. In English that is March 5, 1985. Write the month in words so nobody reads 05/03 as May 3.

## Vietnamese documents for USCIS

USCIS asks for a full English translation of any foreign language document, with the translator's certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from Vietnamese into English[1]. Viet Nam joined the Apostille Convention, which entered into force for it on September 11, 2026[2].

LoreAI is not a certified translation service. A person fluent in Vietnamese and English reviews the Word file and signs. The [USCIS translation guide](https://www.loreai.org/uscis-translation) has the certification wording.

## Questions people ask

### Can I translate a Vietnamese PDF to English for free?

Yes. LoreAI translates your first document free, up to 3 pages, scans included.

### Will LoreAI keep Vietnamese tone marks in names?

Yes. Names keep every mark as written, so Hương stays Hương.

### Can LoreAI read a handwritten Vietnamese certificate?

Yes. It reads handwritten entries together with the printed form.

### Is LoreAI's translation certified?

No. LoreAI gives you the English Word file. A bilingual person signs the certification.

## Sources

1. [8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), Translations, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-103/subpart-A/section-103.2), accessed November 6, 2026
2. [HCCH: Status table, Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents](https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41), accessed November 6, 2026

By Matt Mountain · Updated November 6, 2026