Plug adapter for Vietnam from the United States
What travellers from the United States need to charge and power their devices in Vietnam: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed for some plugs
Your Type A plugs fit. For Type B plugs, bring an adapter to Types A and C.
Voltage
Higher: 220 V
The United States 120 V → Vietnam 220 V. Devices made for 110–120 V only need a step-down converter.
Frequency
Different
60 Hz → 50 Hz. Chargers don't mind; mains-timed clocks and some motors may run fast or slow.
Your plug, their socket
It does fit the Type B sockets also found in Vietnam, but you can't count on finding one.
In Vietnam: Most sockets are combined sockets for Type A and C plugs.
Your devices in Vietnam
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Check the label: single-voltage ones need a converter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Will burn out on 220 V: buy a dual-voltage model or use the hotel's |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Leave at home: converters for these are heavy and costly |
| Plug-in clocks, timers, some fans | 60 Hz | May run fast or slow on 50 Hz |
A plug adapter does not change voltage. Plugging a 120 V-only appliance into 220 V through an adapter will destroy it within seconds and can start a fire.
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- Vietnam is 12 h ahead of the United States right now (UTC+7 vs UTC−5, capitals).
- Money
- The Vietnamese Dong (VND). Everyday prices are about 30% of the United States'.
- Driving
- On the right, as at home.
- Advisories
- US: Level 1 Exercise normal precautions. UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 1 Jan New Year's Day · 4 Feb 29 of Lunar New Year · 5 Feb Lunar New Year's Eve All 14
- Calling code
- +84