US to Vietnam Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2025)

Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure junkie, or a dedicated foodie, Vietnam will not disappoint. From Hanoi and Sapa in the north to Ho Chi Minh and Phu Quoc Island in the south, there are things to do nearly every step of the way.

Just make sure you’re prepared for your trip – and that means bringing all the essentials, like your camera, Kindle, and the right US-to-Vietnam power adapter to plug them all in. You don’t want to risk damaging your electronics by arriving unprepared with the wrong equipment. So use this quick guide to learn the basics and pack like an expert!

Which power outlets do they use in Vietnam?

Here is an actual photo of a
Vietnam power outlet

Vietnam doesn’t use one common plug type, so you’re likely to encounter a couple of different kinds of electrical sockets while you’re there. The main ones are Type A, which takes two flat pins like in the US, and Type C and F, both of which are found across Europe and take two round pins.

Whether you’re in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or elsewhere, you may encounter any of these three types of outlets. Also common in Vietnam are multi-type sockets that can take either a flat or round plug type without needing an adapter.

Like most countries outside the US, Vietnam’s electrical grid operates on a voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50Hz.

What kind of power adapter do I need for Vietnam?

Recommended Vietnam power adapter available on Amazon.com ➜

“What plug do I need for Vietnam?” is a common question posed by travelers. Some hotels do use Type A sockets, the same used in the US in which case no adapter is needed. However, if you are traveling around the country, it’s likely you’ll run into cases where one will be required. Type C and F sockets are the other types of outlets you could encounter.

Since Vietnam does not have one standard outlet type, it’s crucial to purchase a Universal Adapter that will cover a wide range of outlets. This one works in 100+ countries and will serve you in tons of global travel. It also comes with a built-in fuse protector to ensure your electronics are safeguarded from a potential power surge, AND a lifetime replacement guarantee so you can trust the quality. It’s the best adapter we’ve found and we take it everywhere with us.

View on Amazon.com ➜

Other Vietnam Packing List Items

In addition to your US-to-Vietnam power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our Vietnam packing list for more inspiration and ideas.

1. Neck Wallet / Passport Holder

Vietnam’s big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are incredibly crowded, which makes them a haven for pickpockets. To protect yourself against would-be thieves, keep your valuables in a neck wallet while you’re out. Things like cash, credit cards, passports, travel documents, and even your phone will be much safer around your neck than in a bag or pocket. This one even has RFID-blocking material, which stops thieves from penetrating your credit cards with a laser frequency that steals your financial data.

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2. High-Quality Filtered Water Bottle

Sadly, water-borne illnesses are fairly common in Vietnam, and tap water is considered contaminated. Even the locals avoid tap water here and drink boiled or filtered water from home. As a tourist, you won’t want to spend a fortune on plastic waste (and bottled water may not be available for purchase everywhere you go). So we recommend bringing your own filtered water bottle.

This one by Grayl is the best for less-developed countries since it filters out e. Coli, Hepatitis A, pathogens, microplastics, sediment, and more. It’s a bit pricey but way cheaper than being rushed to the hospital with a water-sourced virus!

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3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Vietnam cybercriminals have unleashed major attacks on large businesses and government entities in recent years, with attacks ranging in the six figures. Protect yourself from a cyber attack and avoid being a victim of a preventable crime. I learned the difficulty of this personally when my credit card number was stolen overseas. Now, I always use a VPN to protect my private data. You don’t want to wake up with a hacked PayPal account or a social security number that’s been sold on the dark web.

NordVPN is our favorite provider since they have unlimited bandwidth and the fastest streaming speed in the game. They also block pesky ads and help you stream content from popular websites that are often blocked in Eastern nations. Northern Vietnam will often block Facebook, Netflix, Twitter (X), and YouTube, so a VPN will be required here. For a few dollars a month, it’s one of the best investments you could make in your personal privacy, anonymity, and online freedom.

View options at NordVPN.com

4. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

If you’re going to be out all day, you don’t want your phone to die, especially if you’ll be using the camera or map functions. Fortunately, USB chargers are smaller and more portable than ever. Carry this tiny charger with you, and you can easily charge up your phone in your purse or backpack while out. It could be a lifesaver in an emergency and keeps you on-the-go!

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5. Quick-Dry Travel Towel

You’ll definitely be partaking in some kayaking, snorkeling, island hopping, and swimming as you soak up the Vietnamese sun. Use these microfiber towels to dry off since they dry 10x faster than cotton and are super absorbent. It’s smarter than carrying big fluffy hotel towels, and you never know if your accommodation will even provide you with one. This option is perfect for travel and will serve you in more ways than one!

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6. Travel Insurance for Vietnam

I wouldn’t travel to Vietnam without travel insurance. It’s a chaotic, foreign, and beautiful place, but accidents happen every day, and no one plans to get sick overseas. Keep in mind that your domestic provider does not cover you overseas in most cases (including Medicare and Medicaid), so you should invest in your own affordable trip protection that covers common issues wanderlusters face – like baggage loss, theft, flight delays, evacuations, pet-care, rentals, and international hospital bills. These are not expenses you should pay out-of-pocket and insurance companies will cover this for you.

We’re big fans of Faye – they’re the best provider we’ve ever worked with (and we’ve tried a few!) This company takes a humanized yet modern approach, with everything handled through their mobile app. They’re available 24/7 to support you and quickly wired us the funds when we needed it most. I’ve gotten sick more times than I’d like to admit on vacation, but I’ve never paid for it since insurance always has. Faye even has plans for “entire trip cancellation,” which will make the trip refundable.

Get a quote in less than 60 seconds with Faye

7. Jet Lag Relief

Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of the East Coast of the US, which means most travelers will be contending with significant jet lag. To help your body adapt to the new time zone, bring along some jet lag relief pills. Otherwise, you may find that your vacation is nearly over by the time you’ve finally adjusted! And you don’t want to sleep days away at the beginning of your trip, or once you’ve arrived back home.

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8. Windproof Travel Umbrella

If you are traveling during the rainy season, which in most parts of the country is in the summer and early fall, then you definitely want to bring an umbrella. Even during the less rainy parts of the year, it can be a good idea to use an umbrella as protection from the beating sun, especially in the South. We recommend this compact travel umbrella that comes with a convenient storage case. It weighs only 1-pound and can cover 2 people.

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9. Activated Charcoal

Another item that immediately comes to mind for Vietnam – activated charcoal detoxifers. These supplements will cleanse any pathogens and harmful bacteria from your body if you should face any food- or water-borne illness. We always keep them on hand because traveler’s diarrhea is very common when sampling cuisine in a new place. Use these to adjust more quickly to the local fare and get back on your feet faster should anything afflict you.

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10. Hanging Toiletry Bag

While you can’t always expect a Western-style bathroom in Vietnam and most of the public abodes are a squat toilet (i.e., a hole in the ground!) – you can set yourself up for success with a hanging toiletry bag. You may not have countertops or real storage to work with, including drawers or cabinets, but this bag will create a mini-shelf that you can hang virtually anywhere.

It keeps everything at eye-level in an organized system that displays your larger bottles and holds delicate items in place with elastic bands. It’s one of the best things you can bring to keep your products from being sprawled around the hotel suite or getting wet on the sinktop. Buy one for yourself and your Vietnam travel partner because you will need it!

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11. Cooling Towel

Vietnam is not only hot, but HUMID! These cooling towels will be a luxurious treat as you cool off on a warm day. They drop to nearly 30-degrees colder than the outside temp and use a chemical-free, microfiber material to lower your body temp. Just add water and you’re set! No more worrying about having to hold a fan or find odd methods to beat the heat. These towels are a sweet treat and we never travel anywhere warm or tropical without them!

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12. Luggage Straps

Millions of bags go missing each year in the intricate system of airports and more than 25-million were damaged due to mishandling. You can’t expect staff to ‘baby your bags,’ because they simply won’t, and zippers aren’t meant to withstand any overpacking, so these straps are a great peace of mind. They centralize the weight so nothing pops open mid-transit, and the built-in ID cards ensure your bags won’t get lost for long.

I use the neon straps to immediately spot my bag in a crowd and they are TSA-approved for any random inspections. For carry-ons, you can cinch-in the center so it fits better in the overhead bin. They’re even backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee so you can trust the quality craftsmanship.

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13. Dry Bag

Since Vietnam is known for its stunning beaches and epic water activities, use this dry bag to keep your essentials 100% free of moisture. Not to mention – the basket-boats you’ll be taking for island hopping across this widespread archipelago (that encompasses more than 4,000 islands!) I put essentials in this dry bag, like my phone, wallet, books, medicine, etc. You can fold it to trap air inside, which will make it float, and it’s way better than pulling out a wad of disintegrated cash!

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14. Packing Cubes

Whether you prefer to travel with a backpack or a suitcase, packing cubes will help you stay much more organized on the road. Instead of packing each item of clothing into your bag individually – fold or roll your clothes into the packing cubes (labeled pants, shirts, socks, essentials, etc.), and then place the cubes in your luggage. Once you reach your destination, it will be much easier to find what you are looking for and repack at the end. They are GAME-CHANGERS and we love the bonus laundry bags for dirty clothes. Get the 3-pack set if you want to start small!

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15. Waterproof Phone Pouch

Along the same line of thinking, you will absolutely need a waterproof phone case to protect your lifeline. Phones are delicate and also quite essential when traveling in a new place. You’ll need it for GPS and to find your hotel, so don’t risk water damage when you’re far from home. This case is perfect, affordable, and allows you to film gorgeous underwater videos!

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16. Vietnam eSIM Data Service (Avoid Roaming Fees!)

Avoid high international roaming rates with a completely digital eSIM. We’re obsessed with this new development in the travel world (eSIM itself is about 15 years old, but our favorite company, Saily, was developed by leading security provider, Nord Security in early 2024). eSIM is becoming the new-normal with most current-gen smartphones being developed with a built-in eSIM.

Why fuss with a plastic card or wait in a long line at the airport? You can easily manage your mobile data with the ability to hop between networks on the 200+ destinations that Saily covers. It’s more cost-effective, easier to use, safer from hackers, and all-around superior!

A gift from us: 5% off applied at checkout using our link (code: ASHER5).

Pick a data plan at Saily.com

17. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

Secure your checked luggage with these 4-digit locks. International travel means that you may not see your belongings for 24+ hours. It can be unnerving and we’ve actually had small items stolen out of our checked bags, so now we always bring them as a precaution. These are TSA-approved and way more secure than most locks with fewer digits. Pack a couple sets of them as you’ll find uses in public areas prone to pickpocketing or city lockers.

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What’s the electricity and power supply like in Vietnam?

Utility post located in Vietnam

The vast majority of Vietnam has electricity, although some remote villages do not, especially in the far north. Still, you most likely won’t encounter places without electricity unless you go on an extensive trekking trip. Even in Vietnam’s cities, however, power outages do occur. They have many causes, including poor maintenance, storms, accidents, and excessive strain on the electrical system. The difficult thing about power cuts is that you just never know how long they’re going to last, so if you do experience one, try to be patient!

Lastly, be aware that plugging too many devices in at the same time commonly causes the circuit breaker to trip (though, fortunately that can easily be fixed).

Do I Need A Voltage Converter for Vietnam?

Most American devices, including laptops and phones, are designed to work with a voltage of up to 240V. That means you can safely plug them in without using a voltage converter. There are a few types of devices, however, that are usually only rated to 120V in the US, including hairdryers,and curling irons. If you plan to bring one of these appliances on your trip, you’ll need to bring a voltage converter, too.

Plugging them into the wall in Vietnam without one could fry your device or even cause a fire. Alternatively, you could order international versions of the devices you want to bring, which will be rated to up to 240V and won’t require a converter.

Other FAQs about traveling in Vietnam

1. When to Travel to Vietnam?

Vietnam The best time of year to go to Vietnam depends on what part of the country you’re visiting. Northern Vietnam is most pleasant in late-fall and early-spring when the weather is more temperate. In the central part of the country, January and February are usually the best months, just after the rains have ended. Southern Vietnam will be steamy whenever you visit, but fall is the beginning of the dry season, making it the best time to go.

Keep in mind that tourist season typically runs from November to April all throughout the country, meaning it will be more crowded and things will book up further in advance. Be sure to check current Vietnam travel advisories before you go.

2. What is the weather like in Vietnam?

Because Vietnam extends so far from north to south, the weather varies substantially throughout the country. While its climate is mostly tropical overall, the north of the country experiences more seasonal variation and gets surprisingly chilly in the winter. Summer and early fall is the rainiest time of year in the north. In central Vietnam, the temperatures are generally warmer, and the rainy season is in the fall. Southern Vietnam is hot and humid year-round, with the heaviest rains in the summer and early fall.

3. What to do in Hanoi?

Hanoi For an introduction to the city, join a tour with Hanoi Free Walking Tours, and save time to wander the Old Quarter on your own as well. Hanoi’s top attraction is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where you can view Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body if you’re so inclined. Another popular spot is Ngoc Son Temple, which sits in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, a great spot for enjoying nature in the middle of the city.

Hanoi also has several museums that are worth a visit, including the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, and the Hoa Lo Prison Museum (nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton).

4. Where to do in Vietnam?

At the top of any list of things to do in Vietnam is a cruise through the world-famous Halong Bay – or better yet, one of its less-crowded neighbors, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Beyond this must-do, take a boat or bike ride around Ninh Binh, nicknamed “Halong Bay on Land,” and wander the old town in Hoi An. Further south, frolic in the sand dunes at Mui Ne, and explore the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh. For a beach vacation, head to the far western island of Phu Quoc.

5. How to Get Around in Vietnam?

Because Vietnam covers such a big distance, travelers wanting to visit more than one area often fly. Domestic flights will be under two hours, and tickets are usually very affordable. Vietnam also has an extensive rail system, and lovers of train travel will probably be intrigued by the 32-hour trip between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The air-conditioned cars are very comfortable, and the trains are safer and more secure than the bus.

However, the buses don’t book up as far in advance, and they go to destinations the train doesn’t, so a bus is sometimes the only choice.

You’ll also have several options for getting around within towns. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are set to open metro systems in the coming months, which will allow visitors to bypass some of the cities’ notorious traffic jams. In the meantime, both have extensive bus systems, as do some of the other major cities. Grab is also getting increasingly popular in Vietnam’s towns, and taxis and motorbike taxis are extremely common in most areas.

Many tourists in Vietnam choose to rent a motorcycle, either to take on long-distance rides or for getting around within a town. However, both the roads and the bikes are often in disrepair and Vietnamese traffic follows few recognizable rules, so this is really only recommended for experienced riders.

US to Vietnam Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2025)

Table of contents

Which power outlets do they use in Vietnam?

What kind of power adapter do I need for Vietnam?