Vietnam Travel Essentials
Everything practical you need before you go — power plugs, voltage, a quick adapter check, tap-water safety, emergency numbers and tipping for Vietnam.
⚡ Do you need a plug adapter?
Power plugsType A & C & F
Voltage / frequency220V · 50Hz
Tap waterBottled water is cheap and sold everywhere in Vietnam — corner shops, minimarts, market stalls, in the cities as well as in the mountains and on the islands — so there is never any need to risk the tap
Emergency113
TippingA small amount in dong — enough to round up the bill or reward good service — is the usual approach for taxis, cafés and everyday services
Good to know
- Vietnam uses Type A & C & F sockets — mostly two round pins, similar to continental Europe — at 220V / 50Hz.
- Vietnam mainly uses Type A and Type C sockets, running at 220V/50Hz. Outlets often accept both flat two-pin (Type A) and round two-pin (Type C) plugs, but three-pin plugs (Type G, common in the UK) usually will not fit without an adapter. Travellers from North America should also check their devices are dual-voltage (100–240V) before plugging in, since the local voltage is higher than at home.
- Emergency services: dial 113 anywhere in Vietnam for police, ambulance or fire. Heading out on a boat trip in Ha Long Bay, a motorbike loop in the northern highlands or a trek in the Central Highlands? It is still worth keeping your tour operator's contact number handy, since coverage can be patchy in remote areas.
- Need to pack for it? See our packing list generator.