The standard current is 220 volts. However, 110volt plugs are appearing more in newer construction. Converters are usually available from hotel housekeeping.
MAIL AND DELIVERY SERVICES
Postal
service is available in Vietnam, but service can be slow.
International delivery services such as DHL and FedEx, although
expensive, is a better and faster way to ship documents
and such.
Telephone Booths and Calling Cards: Phone booths are located throughout the major cities and in hotels. Calling cards are readily available for purchase at many stores, shops, and the post
office. This makes for the cheapest way to call back to the states.
Mobile/cellular phones: Vietnam utilizes GMS (Global Mobilephone Service). You could use your own phone, but be aware that you will be “roaming”. Vinaphone and
Mobiphone have outlets where you can rent a phone and purchase prepaid phone cards for minutes. Many of the hotels also offer this service.
Internet: Internet messenger services (Yahoo!, MSN) are the cheapest way to keep in contact with home. Most hotels have business centers for your use and there are many internet cafes in the major cities.
Internet cafes have really cheap per minute charges 100vnd – 150vnd ($.06 -$.09). Hotels are usually more expensive. Do not expect T-1, or even DSL connections, as most of the cafes have 28.8 – 56K dial ups.
Vietnam is + 7 hours from GMT. From the western United States time difference is plus 15 hours. 11:00 AM in Seattle is 2:00 AM then next day in Vietnam. There is no daylight savings time in Vietnam. |
