Electricity and sockets
Yes – from the UK you need a travel adapter for Viet Nam, because the sockets there (Types A, B and C) will not take your plugs.
Sockets at the destination
Mains supply in Viet Nam: 230 V, 50 Hz, sockets of Types A, B and C. 230 V means no voltage converter – only the plug shape matters.
You will find identical sockets in Laos and the Philippines. Nearby but different: Brunei, Hong Kong and Bahrain – an adapter for Viet Nam will not fit there. 3 of the 50 destinations in Asia share the plug types of Viet Nam.
Protective earth
Earthed sockets (Type B) and unearthed ones (Types A and C) exist side by side. For metal-bodied appliances the protective-earth path is what matters.
Quick check by home country
| From the UK | adapter for Types A, B and C | Check route → |
|---|---|---|
| From the US | usually no adapter | Check route → |
Chargers, laptops and hair dryers work in Viet Nam as they do in the UK. Check your own device →
The same sockets are used further afield: Peru and Bolivia.
Common questions
Yes, you need an adapter for Types A, B and C.
The records list Types A, B and C; the grid supplies 230 V at 50 Hz.
No. At 230 V the supply matches UK and European appliances.
If a socket gets hot, crackles or smells burnt, unplug the device straight away.
Data for Viet Nam from IEC World Plugs and IEC TR 60083. Sources and method →