bánh mì vòng
The English phrase bagel is bánh mì vòng in Vietnamese.
bánh mì vòng is used to refer to the toroidal bread roll that is boiled and then baked.
Meaning: toroidal bread roll that is boiled and then baked (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of bánh mì, which means bread and vòng, which means ring or circle.
Did you know?
- The word bánh in bánh mì vòng is often mistakenly thought to come from the French word for bread, 'pain', despite being recorded in Vietnamese texts hundreds of years before the French arrived.
- In Vietnamese, bánh is a broad category for many flour-based foods, not just bread, meaning the term links the bagel to a vast tradition of treats and cakes.
- The word mì in the phrase is a direct relative of the Thai word 'mìi' and the Indonesian word 'mi', both of which also refer to wheat-based foods.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn ăn một chiếc bánh mì vòng.I want to eat a bagel.
- Bánh mì vòng này rất ngon.This bagel is very delicious.
- Bạn có bán bánh mì vòng không?Do you sell bagels?
Example conversation
Minh and Mai are at a cafe choosing what to eat.
- MinhMai, em muốn ăn gì cho bữa sáng?Mai, what do you want to eat for breakfast?
- MaiEm muốn thử bánh mì vòng của quán này.I want to try a bagel from this shop.
- MinhAnh cũng sẽ gọi một cái bánh mì vòng.I will order a bagel too.
- MaiVậy chúng ta cùng gọi hai cái nhé.Then let's order two of them together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bagel” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bánh, mì, vòng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
