Vietnam runs on 220 volts at 50 hertz, and most sockets take Type A flat pins, Type C round pins, or both. A universal travel adapter covers every socket you are likely to meet. Phones, laptops and camera chargers marked 100-240V need nothing more than that adapter. Single-voltage appliances built for 110-120V, such as some hair dryers from North America and Japan, need a converter or should stay at home. And if you are flying within Vietnam, the rules on power banks tightened on 1 July 2026.
This page covers the practical side of power on a Vietnam trip: which adapter to pack, which devices need a converter, and how to keep charged on long travel days. For SIM cards, eSIMs and wifi, see our connectivity guide.
Socket types in Vietnam
| Type | What it looks like | How common | Fits plugs from |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Two flat parallel pins | Very common, often in hybrid sockets | US, Canada, Japan, Mexico |
| C | Two round pins, the Europlug | Very common, often in hybrid sockets | Most of continental Europe |
| F | Two round pins with side earthing clips | Less common | Germany, France and much of Europe |
| D | Three round pins in a triangle | Rare, in some older buildings | India, parts of Africa |
The socket you will see most is a hybrid that accepts both flat and round two-pin plugs. Reference tables differ a little: some also list Type B, the earthed US plug with a third round pin, which you may occasionally see. Our packing list recommends a universal adapter for exactly this reason.
Who needs an adapter. Travellers with US, Canadian, Japanese or continental European plugs can use most sockets directly or with a simple adapter. Travellers with UK, Irish, Australian, New Zealand, Indian or South African plugs need one. Cheap adapters are sold in electronics shops, markets and airport stores, but it is easier to arrive with one.
Voltage: what works and what doesn't
The supply is nominally 220V at 50Hz, like most of Europe, Asia and Australia, and roughly double the 110-120V used in North America and Japan. WorldStandards lists 230V; in practice, voltage can fluctuate, particularly in rural areas and during storms.
Check the small print on each charger or appliance:
- "Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz" means it is dual-voltage and works in Vietnam with only a plug adapter. Almost all phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers fall into this group.
- "110V" or "120V" only means it will overheat or burn out on Vietnamese power. Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, some electric shavers and older gadgets are the usual culprits. Bring a dual-voltage version, use a step-down converter, or buy a cheap local one.
Most hotels in the mid-range and above provide a hair dryer, so that is often the easiest item to leave behind.
Power banks on flights: the 2026 rules
From 1 July 2026, Vietnam's aviation authority requires passengers on flights in Vietnam to follow these rules for power banks, as VnExpress International reported:
- Carry-on baggage only. Never pack a power bank in checked luggage.
- A maximum of two power banks per passenger.
- Up to 100Wh each. Between 100 and 160Wh needs the airline's prior approval.
- No charging your phone from a power bank, and no recharging the power bank, during the flight.
- Protect the terminals against short circuits: keep each one in its packaging, tape the contacts or bag it separately.
Most phone power banks, up to about 20,000mAh, fall under 100Wh; check the label, which usually states the rating. Our domestic flights guide covers the rest of the baggage rules.
Staying charged on the road
Hotels. Most rooms have several sockets, often hybrids, and many newer hotels add USB ports by the bed. Homestays and rural guesthouses may have only one or two sockets per room, so a short extension lead or a multi-port USB charger helps.
Cafes. Vietnamese cafes are generous with sockets, particularly the purpose-built work cafes in the big cities; our work-friendly cafes guide lists them.
Buses and trains. Most sleeper buses have a USB port at each berth, though not all of them work, and the soft-sleeper cabins on the Reunification Express have a small number of sockets shared between the berths. On a long journey, a charged power bank is the only charging you can count on. Our sleeper bus guide covers what to expect on board.
Outages. Short outages and voltage dips happen, especially in mountain areas and during storms. In extreme heat the grid can come under strain: northern Vietnam had rolling power cuts during the June 2023 heatwave. Big-city hotels usually run backup generators.
What to pack
- A universal travel adapter covering Types A, C and F, and ideally D. If you are travelling from the UK, Australia or India, this is essential.
- A multi-port USB charger, so one socket charges everything.
- A power bank of up to about 20,000mAh, which stays under the 100Wh flight limit.
- Dual-voltage versions of any appliances you can't live without, or plan to buy locally.
- A short extension lead or surge-protected strip if you are staying a while or working on a laptop.
Our first-time solo traveller guide and eSIM guide cover the rest of the practical kit.
Limitations
Socket types vary from building to building, and older or rural properties may have unusual or worn sockets. Reference tables disagree slightly on the listed voltage and the less common plug types, and the supply voltage itself varies. The power bank rules are set by Vietnam's aviation authority for flights in Vietnam; individual airlines may add stricter policies, and foreign carriers also apply their own.
Workaround: pack a universal adapter that covers every common type, read your devices' voltage labels before you plug in, and check your airline's current power bank policy before each flight.