Plugs and Sockets in Vietnam: Travel Guide

By Duc Anh

17/11/2024

Learn about sockets and plugs in Vietnam to prepare for your trip in a shared and hassle-free way.

Plug type A - C is popular in Vietnam

Introduce

When traveling to Vietnam, a Southeast Asian country, it is important to understand the types of cracks and applications. You need to charge your mobile phone, laptop and if there is no compatible port, these devices can become heavy. This can cause inconvenience to those who are not fully prepared.

This article will provide you with the necessary information about plugs, sockets and converters in Vietnam, along with useful tips to help you have a comfortable trip.

Types of Plugs in the World:

There are many different types of sockets around the world and they are designed to suit different voltage and frequency standards from country to country. Currently, there are about 15 main types of electrical sockets and outlets used globally, classified from type A to type N.

  • Type A and B: Commonly found in North and Central America, type A wiring has two parallel pins, while type B has an additional round pin for grounding.
  • Type C and F: Primarily found in Europe, type C has two round pins and no ground connection, while type F (often called "Schuko") has a similar design but with an additional ground connection system.
  • Type G: Commonly used in the UK, Ireland, Malta and some other countries, type G has three rectangular legs and a reasonable lamp bridge to protect the equipment.
  • Type I: Used mainly in Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina, Type I has two V-shaped legs and one ground leg.
  • Types D and M: Found in India and South Africa, type D has three larger round legs than type M but is smaller in size.

Each type of plug and socket has its own characteristics to ensure safety and performance when used in a specific voltage and frequency environment. When traveling or moving to a new country, it is important to understand and prepare the appropriate adapters to ensure your electronic devices work properly.

Common type used in Vietnam

There are 3 most popular types of codes in Vietnam: type A, C and F. Although Vietnam mainly uses these three types of coding, it is not uncommon to find multi-purpose sockets that can be used for multiple coding types in the same socket, which is especially popular in hotel customers and tourist accommodations.

  • Plug Type A:
    • Two legs straight, straight.
    • Popular in: USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan.
    • Use in Vietnam: Quite common, especially in hotels and old buildings.
  • Type C Plug:
    • Two round legs.
    • Common in: Continental Europe, South America, many parts of Asia.
    • Usage in Vietnam: Very common, especially in new tools and historical bases.
  • Plug Type F:
    • Two round legs with two ground clamps on either side.
    • Popular in: Germany, Netherlands.

Voltage and Frequency in Vietnam

The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220V and the frequency is 50Hz. Knowing the country's voltage and frequency is important to ensure the correct operation of your electronic devices.

Results of using incompatible devices:

  • Lower voltage: If you try to use an appliance designed for 220V application in a country with 110V application, it will not work or will not work at all. For example, a European hair dryer in the US will not get hot enough.
  • Higher voltage: This situation is more dangerous. If you plug a 110V electrical appliance into a 220V outlet in Vietnam without a proper converter, the appliance is likely to burn out. In the best case, the bridge will be protected; in the worst case, it can cause a smell.
  • Frequency difference: Frequency differences are usually not as important as voltage differences, but they can affect some devices:
    • Some engines may overheat or run at unwanted speeds.
    • Audio equipment may produce noise.
    • For these devices, you only need a simple converter to use in Vietnam, no application converter required.
  • Equipment that needs to be handled with care:Some devices that typically don't have many apps and may need to be converted include:
    • Hair measuring machine
    • Hair Silk Machine
    • Electric Shaver
    • Some electric toothbrushes
    • Small appliances like coffee makers or kettles

Before traveling, it is important to check the specifications of all your electronic devices. If they are not compatible with 220V, you should consider leaving them at home, purchasing a compatible version for travel, or bringing along a suitable voltage converter.

In Vietnamese, the pronunciation of "electric socket" is [o˦˥ kam˧˦ diən˧˨˧], and "plug" is pronounced [fik̚˦˥ kam˧˦]. Note that the symbols in square brackets represent pronunciations according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which outlines the variations in the speed and pitch of sounds in the phrase.

You can learn how to pronounce important words and sentences to know in the following article.:

Notes When Using Electrical Equipment

  • Low voltage:The device will not work or will not function.
  • High voltage:More dangerous, can create a fire device.
  • Differential frequency:May affect some devices such as engines or audio equipment.

Adapter Type Required For Vietnam

To ensure all your electronics work properly during your trip to Vietnam, understanding converters is essential. A converter is a simple device that allows a plug of one type to connect to an outlet of another type.

Practical Tips For Travelers

  • Forgot to bring adapter:Check hotel front desk or purchase locally.
  • Using USB port:Many modern hotels, cafes and airports in Vietnam have USB ports for charging devices.