Travel essentials for Vietnam

Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.

Power & adapters

Type A, C, F adapter required

Most sockets take both flat and round pins, but not the Australian Type I plug. Bring a universal adapter.

220V, 50Hz

Tap water

Not safe to drink

Don't drink the tap water. Bottled water is very cheap. Ice in cities is commercially produced and generally fine.

Staying connected

Excellent and cheap, including on trains and in most rural areas.

Vietnam has some of the cheapest mobile data anywhere - an eSIM with 30GB often costs under AUD $12. Viettel has the best rural coverage.

Compare Vietnam eSIMs

Health risks

Road trauma, especially on scooters
Dengue fever
Food and water-borne illness
Air pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Emergency numbers in Vietnam

All emergencies	113 police / 115 ambulance
Police	113
Ambulance	115
Fire	114
Australian consulate	Australian Embassy Hanoi - +84 24 3774 0100

Tipping and everyday costs

Not traditionally expected but increasingly common in tourism. ₫20,000-₫50,000 for a driver or guide is generous. Upmarket restaurants add a 5% service charge plus 8-10% VAT.

What screening will actually let you pack

Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.

Plan a trip to Vietnam Pick recharge, scenic, food or balanced and get a day-by-day itinerary, with Vietnam's entry rules and your checklist on the same page.

More Vietnam essentials

Vietnam visa and entry rules Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders. Flights to Vietnam Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip. Vietnam eSIM plans Instant data, no physical SIM required. Vietnam travel insurance Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers. Vietnam money and cards Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers. Vietnam airport transfers Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared. Driving in Vietnam International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians. Things to do in Vietnam Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.

Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack

How these comparisons are made

Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.

Vietnam travel essentials FAQs

What adapter do I need for Vietnam?

A universal adapter. Vietnamese sockets accept flat American-style and round European pins, but not the angled Australian Type I plug. Voltage is 220V, close enough to Australia's 230V.

We will send you the Vietnam guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.