Power Plugs & Electric Sockets In Vietnam Guide 2025
When planning to travel in Vietnam, most visitors only focus on the sightseeing destinations, Vietnamese food or their itinerary, but often overlook one small thing but important: Popular Power plugs, electric sockets and voltage in Vietnam. Why should you know about power plugs, electric sockets and voltage before arriving in Vietnam? Many travelers come to Vietnam and are surprised to find that their plugs don’t fit the sockets. So, if you know the information about Vietnam’s power plugs, electric sockets and voltage in advance, it will help you avoid troubles and have a smooth trip in Vietnam.
In this article, Vietnam Escape Tours will share with you all the information about power plugs type , electric sockets type, voltage in Vietnam and safety advice for using your electronic devices during your trip to Vietnam.
What Types of Power Plugs and Electric Sockets are Popular in Vietnam?
There are a total of 15 different types of power plugs and electric sockets all over the world today. But in Vietnam, not all the kinds of power plugs and sockets are popularly used. So, which type of power plugs and sockets are popular in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, travelers may come across several types of power plugs and sockets, with the most common plug types being Type A, Type C, and Type F. In addition, Type B and Type D can also be found, though they are less common.
• Type A plug:
Type A plug features two flat parallel pins without grounding. Type A is popular in America, Canada, Japan and some Asian countries. In Vietnam, Type A is popular in some houses, hotels or in some imported equipment from America or Japan. Type A is commonly found with phone chargers, electric shavers, camera chargers or some other low-power devices.
• Type C plug:
This plug has two small round pins and does not have grounding. This is the very popular plug in Europe (except for England and Ireland) as well as many countries in Asia, South America and Middle East. In Vietnam, Type C is commonly used for devices such as computers and televisions.
• Type F plug:
Type F plug also has two round pins, but they are larger and sturdier than Type C, with two grounding clips on the sides. This plug is used widely in German, France, Spain, Russia and many other European countries. In Vietnam, Type F is commonly used, especially for large household appliances like fridges, washing machines, microwaves or some high-power devices like electric kettles, hair dryers,...
• Type B plug:
This plug consists of two flat parallel pins and one round grounding pin. It is common in America, Canada, Mexico and Japan. In Vietnam, Type B is less common but you can still see in some modern buildings or some imported devices.
• Type D plug:
This plug has three round pins arranged in a triangular shape. It is easily seen in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and some countries in Africa. In Vietnam, Type D isn’t popular, but sometimes it still appears in some old devices or some areas.
So, what Kinds of Power Plugs & Sockets are Used in Vietnam?
If you’re traveling from Japan, United States, Canada, you likely recognize that the Type A plugs and outlets are commonly used most of places in Vietnam on your travel time. For many European visitors, you will see Type C plugs also work with Vietnam’s socket types. In most of the hotels, cruises, restaurants, cafe or public areas you will see that.
In Vietnam, most electric sockets are compatible with Type A, Type C and Type F plugs. In big cities, travelers can easily come accross a universal socket that can fit both round and flat pins. This makes charging devices for international travelers more convenient than ever.
However, to make your trip go smoothly, you should bring a travel adapter in case your plug is a less common type and doesn’t fit the socket in Vietnam.
Voltage & Frequency in Vietnam (220V – 50Hz)
In Vietnam, the standard voltage is 220V and frequency is 50Hz. It is common in many European and Asian countries, but is significantly different from some other countries like the USA or Japan. In the USA, the voltage is 110V – 120V and in Japan it’s about 100V. So, if you are wondering “Does Vietnam use the same voltage as the US or Japan?”, the answer is no, and you will need a travel adapter or voltage converter to ensure your devices work properly.
In reality, this means that small electronic devices like phone chargers, camera chargers or tablet chargers usually work normally because most of them support a wide voltage range (100–240V). However, high-power devices like hairdryers, irons or some kinds of laptop, you should carefully check the “Input” label before using them in order to avoid damage or short circuits.
Do You Need a Travel Adapter or Voltage Converter in Vietnam?
This is a question that many travelers are interested in when travelling in Vietnam. Since different countries use different plug types and voltage standards, it’s important to know what you’ll need before packing your bags for your Vietnam trip.
Travel Adapter
Most travelers come to Vietnam will need to carry a power adapter because Vietnam mainly uses some types of plug like Type A, Type C and Type F. If your device’s plug isn’t compatible with these socket types, you will definitely need a travel adapter to use it.
Remember, a travel adapter only helps your device’s plug fit the socket, it does not help convert voltage. So if your device doesn’t match with the Vietnam’s standard voltage (220V, 50Hz), it will still need to be compatible with Vietnam’s 220V power supply to avoid damage.
Voltage Converter
The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220V and the frequency is 50Hz. So, if your device only supports 110V (common in the US and Japan), you will need a voltage converter to change the electricity from 220V down to 110V. Without it, your device can be damaged when plugging in.
Tips:
Check the label on your charger or device, if it says “Input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz”, you’re completely safe and only need an adapter, not a voltage converter.
Where to Buy Adapters and Converters in Vietnam?
If you forget to prepare a travel adapter and converter for your trip in Vietnam and you don’t know where to buy them, below, we will suggest some places where you can buy a plug adapter and converter in Vietnam. You have many options about where to buy a travel adapter and converter when arriving in Vietnam, depending on your need and budget.
• Airport:
This is the most convenient place if you need to buy right after landing. However, the price at the airport is usually higher than the other places, so it’s only suitable for visitors who forget to prepare in advance but don’t have much time.
• Electronics Store:
Beside airport, you can buy a travel adapter or converter at large chains like The Gioi Di Dong, Nguyen Kim, Dien May Xanh. These are reliable places, offering a wide variety of adapters and converters with high quality. You can also ask the staff for advice to buy the one that best suits your needs. Prices range from ~3 – 5 USD for a travel adapter and ~10 USD for a voltage converter.
• Online Shopping:
If you stay long in Vietnam or you want to save your money, you can book an order via online marketplace like Shopee or Lazada. Prices here is usually lower, the selection is more diverse, and they can be delivered to your door, making it very convenient for long stay in Vietnam.
• Local Shops:
You can check out local shops or street vendors to buy adapters and converters in Vietnam. This is the most economical selection, with more reasonable prices. However, the product quality may not always be the same, so you should check carefully before buying to avoid troubles when using it.
If you have difficulties in buying travel adapters and converters in Vietnam, you can ask your travel consultant or your tour guides to support you.
Safety Advice When Using Power Plugs and Electric Sockets in Vietnam
Most travelers bring along familiar devices like phones, laptops, cameras, hair dryers or electric shavers when coming to Vietnam. Among these, smaller devices like phones, laptops or cameras are usually compatible, as their chargers support a wide voltage range (100-240V). However, high-power devices such as hairdryers or irons, you may have problems if the voltage is not compatible or the plug does not fit the sockets in Vietnam.
So, when using electronic devices in Vietnam, you should keep in mind some important points to ensure safety.
• Check your adapter’s input: You should check your travel adapter’s “Input” label carefully before using. If it says 100-240V, your device can usually be used without any issues in Vietnam.
• Bring a universal adapter: Instead of bringing just one type of plug, you should bring a universal adapter to easily use for different types of plugs. While many hotels and modern Halong Bay cruises already provide universal sockets, it’s still a good idea to bring your own adapter to ensure you won’t face any inconvenience, especially if you join a Halong Bay day cruise or an overnight cruise.
• Be cautious with high-power devices: If you plan to use high-power devices like hair dryers, irons or electric kettles, you should check carefully whether their voltage is compatibe in Vietnam (220V, 50Hz) or not to avoid damage.
• Choose the right travel adapter: You should choose the suitable travel adapter that is compatible with your device’s plugs and voltage because using the wrong adapter also has a risk of fire or explosion.
• Carry a portable power outlet: You should bring a portable power outlet, especially when you need to charge many devices at the same time.
Recommended places to visit for your Vietnam holidays
When you travel in Vietnam you may wonder where to visit in your holiday. The answer depends on many factors like weather, your duration in Vietnam, the travel types you prefer ( relaxation or adventure) and your budget.
In general, we recommend the highlighted places in Vietnam below for your holiday in Vietnam.
1. Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam o there are so many direct flights from many countries to Vietnam. Hanoi is rich in culture and history so Hanoi is a very important place for your holiday. From Hanoi, you can travel to many places easily. There are many
daily trips starting from Hanoi. In Hanoi, you can take a
city tour for highlights of Hanoi City. In your free time, you can walk around to visit Hoan Kiem Lake, enjoy Hanoi streetfood, visit the train street, the different museums in Hanoi like Vietnam History Museum, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, Vietnam Ethnic Museums, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple Of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda.
2. Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town which is located in Lao Cai Province. Sapa is famous for beautiful terrace rice fields, the diverse ethnic minority groups such as the Hmong, Dao, and Giay. Nowadays, Sapa is a popular destination for international travelers and local travelers. There are different transfer services for from Hanoi to Sapa like train, private transfer or sharing bus, limousine. There are many good hotels, restaurants in Sapa. All those things make it easy to visit Sapa. When you are in Sapa you can experience the Fansipan Peak - considered as the roof of Indochina, you can do trekking tours in Sapa to visit different beautiful villages like Cat Cat Village, Lao Chai Village, Ta Van Village, Ta phin Village, Giang Ta Chai Village, Hau Thao Village, Nam Can Village. Around Sapa there are many tyical market like Bac Ha Market, Can Cau Market, Lung Khau Nhin Market. Please check the
tours in Sapa to see different tours in Sapa and around Sapa.
3. Halong Bay
Halong Bay was recognized as one of the 7 World Wonder and you will see nowhere else is like Halong Bay with thousands of limstone mounains rising from the seas. Halong Bay is a masterpiece of the nature. When you visit Halong Bay you can enjoy the beauty of the bay, go kayaking in the beautiful emerald waters of the bay, visiting the caves in Halong, the fishing villages and doing hiking to some mountains. That is incredible. There are different tours in Halong Bay for you to join in like
Halong Bay Day Tour Cruise,
Halong Bay Overnight Cruises. Nowadays ( 2025) there are so many
luxury cruises in Halong Bay. They are
brand new cruises in Halong Bay and many of them are stated as a 6 star cruises. Many cruises with elavator and many of the
cruises in Halong have swimming pool. 4. Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh ha many places to visit like Hoa Lu - The ancient capital of Vietnam, Tam Coc ( 3 caves) where you can enjoy a boat trip, Trang An is similar to Tam Coc but has more caves, Van Long where you can visit the nature Reserve, Cuc Phuong National Park. There are different tours to Ninh Binh like
Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day Tour,
Ninh Binh 2 Day 1 Night with homestay. Please see
Ninh Binh Tours for many tour options in Ninh Binh.
5. Hue
Hue is a charming city in Vietnam. Hue once was the capital of Vietnam. When you visit Hue, you will see that Hue is beautiful and quieter than many other cities in Vietnam. People in Hue are friendly and you will feel the time goes slowly in Hue. Visiting Hue, you can visit the Imperial City, the various temples, the royal tombs of 19th-century kings.
6. Hoi An and Da Nang
Hoi An is a charming town in Vietnam with nice beaches, good food and Hoi An is a good place for shopping also. There are many nice tours to visit from Hoi An like Ba Na Hill Day Tour with Golden Hand Bridge, Cam Thanh Coconut Forest boat trip, My Son Sanctuary Tour.
Da Nang is a clean city and there are so many flights from different cities of Vietnam and some other countries to Da Nang. Da Nang has nice beaches, good hotels, beautiful river, friendly people. In Da Nang, you can visit the Fire-breathing Dragon Bridge, Asia Museum, Son Tra Penisula, Monkey Island, Lady Buddha.
Here you can visit Hoi An or Da Nang with a private tour a joinning group tour. You can see
daily group tours from Hoi An and choose some good tours for your group.
7. Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling, developed metropolis with numerous flights connecting it to major cities across Vietnam and around the world.Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City is an important destination and for other tours in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can explore landmarks such as the Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and the Cu Chi Tunnels. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can experience a
Mekong River boat tour. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can also easily access other attractions such as Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc Island.
8. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island is an ideal destination for tourists. With beautiful beaches, ideal weather with sunshine all year round helps Phu Quoc Island become an important destination for tourists recently. Phu Quoc Island has many luxurious accommodations,exellent services, island tours and even safari park. In addition, there are many international and domestic flights to Phu Quoc, helping the island become an easily accessible destination for tourists.
Conclusion
With just a little understanding about the popular power plugs, sockets and voltage in Vietnam, you won’t face any inconvenience when using your electronic devices during your Vietnam tour. We hope this article help you get better prepared for your upcoming trip to Vietnam.
Q & A
1. Do I need a voltage converter in Vietnam?
Nowadays, most modern electronics (phones, laptops, cameras) don’t need a voltage converter when you travel in Vietnam — You only need a plug adapter so it fits the socket. For older or 110V-only devices, you’ll need a voltage converter or you can buy a travel-friendly dual-voltage replacement. A tip for safety is even if your device is dual-voltage, avoid using high-wattage items (like hair dryers or kettles) with cheap adapters — they may overheat. Most of hotels, cruises in Vietnam provide hair dryers, kettles anyway.
2. Can I use US devices in Vietnam?
It depends on you are using dual-voltage or single-voltage. You can use US devices in Vietnam if they are dual-voltage. If not, you’ll need a voltage converter. In all cases, bring a plug adapter. Most of hotels in Vietnam, cruises in Halong, Mekong overnight cruises have hair dryers, kettles so you we advise you not bring those to Vietnam as you do not need them.
3. What if hotel socket is different?
Please carry a universal travel adapter. Even if the hotel socket is different, you’ll be prepared and won’t need to rely on hotel staff or shops. In case, you do not have that and hotel socket is different please ask the receptionist for a help and you may be able to borrow from the hotels staffs.
4. What’s the difference between Vietnam’s electrical outlets and those in the U.S.?
Voltage: Vietnam uses 220V / 50Hz electricity, while US uses 120V / 60Hz electricity. So, if you come from US visiting Vietnam, you may need a voltage converter
Plug Types: Vietnam commonly uses Type A, Type C, and Type F outlets, while The U.S. often uses Type A and Type B outlets. Type A plugs from the United States often fit in Vietnam, but Type B plugs may not. So, you may need an adapter.
So we recommend you to bring a universal travel adapter and check if your devices are dual-voltage to ensure your electronics work safely.
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Vietnam Escape Tours not only brings you useful travel tips in Vietnam but also offers many exciting journeys. If you are interested in Vietnam tours or Halong Bay cruises, from comfortable Halong Bay day cruises to luxurious Halong Bay overnight cruises, feel free to contact us to plan your upcoming trip!
