| Name | Symbol | Level/tone | Example | English Meaning |
| ngang | a | mid level | ma | ghost |
| sắc | á | rising | má | mother |
| huyeàn | à | low falling, sometimes breathy | mà | which |
| ngã | ã | high rising | mã | tomb |
| hỏi | ả | falling rising | mả | horse |
| naëng | ạ | low constricted | mạ | rice seedling |
The tones differ in pitch, length, and intensity. Depending on the tone, similarly spelled words can have different meanings. Confusing? Yes!
