How to Call Vietnam from the US?

Before dialing Vietnam from the US, consider the US exit code, Vietnam’s country code, area codes, mobile prefixes, and the local subscriber number.

1. US Exit Code: The US’s exit code is 011. This code signals the US telephone network that you are calling overseas. Additionally, you can replace it with the “+” symbol when dialing from a mobile.
    
2. Vietnam Country Code: Vietnam’s country code is 84. The code notifies US telecom operators to direct your call towards Vietnam.
    

3. Vietnam’s Area Codes: Area codes route your call to a specific area in the country. Vietnam has over 60 area codes, with most of them including three digits, starting with ‘2’.
   
   Here are some popular Vietnamese cities and their area codes:

   City	Area Codes
   Ho Chi Minh City	282, 283, 284
   Hanoi	242, 243, 245
   Da Nang	236
   Thua Thien Hue	234

4. Mobile Prefixes: Vietnamese cell phone numbers start with 3, 5, 7, 8, or 9. The prefix differs from one carrier to another.
   
   Here are some well-known Vietnamese carrier operators and their mobile codes.

   Carrier Operators	Mobile Prefixes
   Vietnamobile	52, 56, 58
   Vinaphone	81, 82, 83, 84
   MobiFone	70, 76, 77
   Viettel	32, 33, 34, 35

5. Vietnamese Local Number: A typical Vietnamese mobile number has 9 digits and a landline number has 9-10 digits, excluding the trunk code (0). When dialing from abroad, you must remove the trunk code and use the correct area or mobile prefix for the right connection.

To call Vietnam from the USA, dial the USA exit code (011), Vietnam country code (84), and the area code followed by the local number.

However, the process is slightly different when calling a mobile number and a landline number.

To call a Vietnamese landline number, dial the US exit code, Vietnam country code, area code, and the local landline number.

Step 1: Dial the US exit code 011 or “+”.
Step 2: Dial Vietnam’s country code 84.
Step 3: Dial the area code without the trunk code, 0.
Step 4: Dial the subscriber’s number.

Example:
To call a landline number in Hanoi, Vietnam from the US, dial 011 84 242 123456X or +84 242 123456X. Here, 242 is Hanoi’s area code.

To call a Vietnamese mobile number, dial the US exit code, Vietnam country code, and the mobile number (including carrier-specific mobile prefix). 

Step 1: Enter the US exit code 011 or “+”.
Step 2: Enter Vietnam’s country code 84.
Step 3: Enter the mobile number without the trunk code 0.

Example:
Vietnamese mobile number format when calling from the US looks like 011 84 32 1234 56X or +84 32 1234 56X. Here 32 is Viettel’s mobile prefix.

To call a Vietnamese toll-free number from the US, dial the US exit code, Vietnam country code, the toll-free prefix, and subscriber number.

Step 1: Dial the US exit code 011 or “+”.
Step 2: Enter Vietnam’s country code 84.
Step 3: Dial the toll-free number.

Example: 
To call a toll-free number in Vietnam from the US, dial 011 84 120 1234X or +84 120 1234X. Here, 120 is the toll-free code and 1234X is the subscriber number.

Moreover, unlike many other countries, which usually have 800 and its variations as toll-free codes, Vietnam’s toll-free codes include 120, 121, or 122.

When making a call from Vietnam to the US, common challenges include time-zone differences, network issues, or dialing the wrong format or code.

1. Wrong Dialing Format: Dialing the number incorrectly, using unrelevant prefixes, forgetting digits, or misplacing the codes (like putting Vietnam’s country code before the US exit code) results in failed calls.
2. Network and Call Connectivity Issues: Weak signals, unstable international routing, or heavy traffic can all result in dropped calls, delays, or poor audio quality.
3. Carrier Restrictions and Blocking: Some US carriers may block or limit calls to Vietnam.

4. Time-Zone Difference: Vietnam is 11 to 14 hours ahead of the US, depending on the US’s time zone. Failing to consider this difference can result in calling at the inappropriate time for your receiver.
   
   Here is a table representing the best time to call Vietnam from the US, considering that Vietnam’s business hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM Indochina Time (ICT ).
    

   US Time Zone	Best Time to Call Vietnam	Time Difference
   Eastern Standard Time (EST)	9 PM – 4 AM	Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of EST
   Central Standard Time (CST)	8 PM – 3 AM	Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of CST
   Mountain Standard Time (MST)	7 PM – 2 AM	Vietnam is 13 hours ahead of MST
   Pacific Standard Time (PST)	6 PM – 1 AM	Vietnam is 14 hours ahead of PST

(Note: The above times are subject to change during daylight saving time in the US.)

The cost of calling Vietnam from the US depends on your carrier and selected plan. The popular provider, like T-Mobile, charges $5 per minute without subscribing to the Stateside International Plan. Similarly, AT&T charges $0.76 and $0.65 per minute with their Unlimited North America and International Plus II plans. Additionally, Rebtel offers packages where you can call Vietnam from only 6.9¢/min.

You can call with social media apps, calling cards, or VoIP service providers to make cost-effective calls to Vietnam from the US.

1. Using Mobile Apps: Social media applications such as Snapchat, Viber, WhatsApp, and Messenger allow you to make free voice and video calls over the internet. However, both the caller and the receiver must use the same app during calls.
    
2. VoIP Service Providers: VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services often offer low international calling costs compared to traditional carriers. These platforms are great for both personal and business communication.
    
3. Calling Cards: Using prepaid international calling cards to call Vietnam is also cost-effective. They work with both landlines and cell phones and offer a fixed amount of minutes at a set price. They are particularly helpful when you do not have access to the internet.

Calling Vietnam from the US is simple when you know the correct dialing format, area codes, and cost-saving options. Whether using traditional phone services, VoIP applications, or calling cards, there are multiple ways to stay connected. However, international calls can be expensive if you rely on traditional phone lines.

So, register with Calilio for low international call rates. Additionally, you can also acquire a Vietnam virtual phone number from the US and call Vietnam at local rates.

Yes, you can call Vietnam for free using social media services like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Viber, as long as both parties are registered users and have an internet connection.

Your call to Vietnam typically fails due to poor network access, carrier restrictions on international calls, or dialing the wrong number format.

In general, it costs less to call a landline than a cell phone in Vietnam from the US. However, costs vary by provider and plan.