Becoming a translator isn’t hard to start, but becoming a good and successful translator takes serious effort, skill, and consistency.
Here’s a breakdown to help you understand how difficult (or not) it is, depending on what you’re aiming for:
How Hard Is It, Really? Easy to Start
- You can begin translating informally if you’re bilingual.
- No license or degree is legally required in most countries.
- Entry-level freelance gigs (like small translations or personal projects) are accessible.
BUT:
Hard to Master
Professional-level translation requires:
- Near-native fluency in both languages
- Deep cultural understanding
- Strong writing skills in the target language
- Specialization (legal, medical, business, travel, etc.)
- Mastery of tone, nuance, and context
What Makes It Challenging?
| Challenge | Why it’s tough |
|---|---|
| Language Depth | You must understand idioms, slang, formality levels, regional variations |
| Accuracy vs. Flow | A literal translation isn’t always a good one—you must balance precision and naturalness |
| Subject Knowledge | Specialized texts (legal, medical, etc.) require industry knowledge |
| Clients Expect Fast Turnaround | You’re often under time pressure |
| Freelance Competition | The market is global and competitive, especially for common languages |
| Tools & Tech | Learning CAT tools (e.g. Trados, MemoQ) adds complexity but boosts credibility |
What Makes It Easier?
- You’re already fluent in both languages (English and Vietnamese).
- You’re focusing on a niche (travel translation), which makes it easier to stand out.
- You want to freelance, so you can start small and grow your reputation.
Pro Tips to Make It Less Difficult
- Practice by translating blog posts, menus, or travel brochures.
- Join translator forums (like ProZ.com) to learn from others.
- Use translation memory tools early on—they save time and ensure consistency.
- Get feedback from native speakers of both languages.
- Improve your writing in the target language (translation is 90% writing skill).
Bottom Line
| Goal | Difficulty Level | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Casual/freelance travel translation | ☆☆ | Requires good language skills, but you can start without credentials |
| Professional, full-time translator | Needs high-level skills, tools, consistency, and client-building | |
| Certified legal/medical translator | Requires testing, experience, and deep subject expertise |
If you’re serious about it and willing to practice and learn, you can absolutely succeed—especially in a niche like English ⇄ Vietnamese travel translation.
Would you like a practice exercise or a sample travel text to try translating? I can give feedback if you’d like.
