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Internet Access & Phones

Internet Cafes  in Vietnam
Internet cafes are located everywhere in Vietnam, often even in more rural areas and outside the major tourist destinations, and prices are cheap, starting from less than 3000 VND up to about 15,000 VND ($1 USD) an hour. The speed of the Internet varies by location, and unsurprisingly is better in bigger cities, but regardless, it should never be difficult to find someplace to check your email.

Internet Use in Hotels  in Vietnam
The growing majority of hotels in Vietnam offer some form of Internet access. The most common, especially in hotels targeting backpackers, is to offer a few computers in their lobby for use for guests (often for free and some for charge, with rates similar to the Internet cafes). Most higher-end hotels offer high-speed Internet access in the rooms, with a growing numbers that also offer wireless, but they generally charge for its use (and in some cases, exorbitant rates in comparison to local prices). There are also a growing number of midrange and budget options that offer free high-speed Internet in rooms and wireless access in the public areas and/or rooms. Please see the “Facility Information” for each hotel or inquire with us as this information continues to change.

Wireless Internet in Vietnam
For those who are traveling with a laptop, wireless access is increasingly common in both Hanoi and HCMC, with a range of restaurants and cafes that offer free wireless access with the purchase of food or coffee. Outside of Hanoi and HCMC, however, wireless Internet is still not common, with only a few higher-end hotels and no cafes (that we know of yet) offering wireless Internet.

Internet Cards  in Vietnam
Another option if you are traveling with a laptop is to buy a FPT Internet card (usually for a value of 50.000 VND or 100,000 VND), which allows you to use the phone lines in your hotel to access the Internet. These Internet cards can be purchased at many Internet cafes, or look for signs that say “FPT Internet” (or ask your hotel where to buy), but please note that the local phone charges can rack up for continued use.

Mobile Phones  in Vietnam
 Vietnam uses GSM 900/1800, which is compatible with most of Asia, Europe and Australia and some tri-band phones from North America.

If you will be in Vietnam for a longer period of time, or expect that you will want frequent use of a mobile phone, it might be worth the (small) investment to buy a local SIM card. SIM cards come packaged with prepaid credits for prices usually between 50,000 VND up to 300,000 VND.

The two most popular providers are Vinaphone and Mobifone, and SIM cards with prepaid credit for either of these providers can be purchased at most mobile phone shop or at the main post office buildings. If you need more credit, refill cards can be purchased in increments of 100,000 – 300,000 VND at mobile phone stores as well as any place that has a Vinaphone or Mobifone sign.

Please note, however, that some mobile phones, especially those from the U.S. are “locked” by their mobile phone company and must be “unlocked” in order to accept outside SIM cards. Most mobile phone shops can easily do for a cost of around 150,000 VND ($10 USD).

International Phone Calls  in Vietnam
International phone calls can be very expensive when calling from hotels or when using an international or local mobile phone. The cheapest way to make international phone calls is at any of the various Internet cafes around Vietnam, although the quality varies. Two options to save money when calling from a land line (for example, in your hotel) are to either dial 171 or 178 (and then 00) before the country code or to buy a prepaid 1719 phone cards from the post office (prices between 30,000 VND to 500,000 VND).