How to Call Vietnam from the US?

Before calling Vietnam from the USA, make sure you have the correct international phone number format, including the US exit number, Vietnam’s country identifier, and a properly formatted phone number. You should also confirm that international calling is activated on your line and that your service plan has sufficient balance to complete the call successfully.

• US International Exit Code: The international exit code for the United States is 011 or “+” for mobile phones. This code tells your phone carrier that you are making a call outside the country. So, your call from the USA to Vietnam must begin with this exit code before dialing any additional numbers.
• Vietnam Country Code: After dialing the US exit code, you’ll need to enter Vietnam’s country code, which is 84, which directs your call to this country. Without it, your call will not reach the correct destination.

• Vietnam Phone Number Format: Local Vietnam phone numbers consist of 10 digits in total, including the mobile or area code and the local subscriber number. When dialing from within Vietnam, these numbers usually start with a leading zero. However, when calling Vietnam from the USA, this leading zero must be removed.
  
  For example, if the Vietnamese local number is 090 123 4567, then the international format for the calls from the USA is +84 90 123 4567 or 011 84 90 123 4567, where the leading “0“ is removed for international calls.
  
  Here are some of the popular area codes for Vietnamese phone numbers.

  City	Area Code
  Hanoi	024
  Ho Chi Minh City	028
  Da Nang	0236
  Hai Phong	0225
  Can Tho	0292

  Here are some of the popular mobile prefixes for Vietnamese phone numbers.

  Carrier	Mobile Prefix
  Viettel	096, 097, 098, 086, 032, 033, 034,
  Mobifone	090, 093, 089, 070, 076, 077
  Vinaphone	091, 094, 088, 084
  Vietnamobile	092, 052, 056, 058
  Gmobile	099, 059

• International Calling Enabled: Not all carrier plans automatically allow international calls. So, before dialing Vietnam, make sure that international calling is enabled on your mobile or landline service. For this, you can contact your carrier or activate the service through your account settings.
• Active Service or Sufficient Balance: International calls are more expensive than domestic ones. So, check that your phone plan is active and that you have sufficient balance or international calling credits. This helps avoid dropped calls or unexpected service interruptions.

To call Vietnam from the USA, begin with the US international exit code or the plus (+) sign, then enter Vietnam’s country code, followed by the phone number without its leading zero.

This basic dialing order applies whether you’re using a mobile phone or a landline, with only minor differences in how the exit code is entered.

Here is the detailed description to call while using a mobile or landline phone.

When calling Vietnam from a US mobile phone, begin with the plus (+) symbol, then enter Vietnam’s country identifier, and dial the Vietnamese number without its starting zero. The detailed steps are given below:

1. Open the phone dialer on your mobile device.
2. Press and hold “0” until the plus (+) sign appears. This replaces/acts as the US international exit code.
3. Dial 84, which is Vietnam’s country code.
4. Enter the Vietnam mobile or area code, making sure to remove the leading zero.
5. Dial the remaining subscriber number and place the call.

To place a call to Vietnam from a US landline, start with the US international access number, followed by Vietnam’s country code and the phone number without its initial zero.

Here are the detailed steps:

1. Pick up the receiver and wait for the dial tone.
2. Dial 011, the US international exit code.
3. Enter 84, the country code for Vietnam.
4. Dial the area or mobile code, excluding the leading zero.
5. Finish by dialing the local subscriber number.

Besides traditional carrier dialing, using calling cards, VoIP services, and internet-based calling apps are some of the best methods to call from the United States to Vietnam.

Without any international calling plan enabled, calling Vietnam directly through major US carriers can cost between $0.20 and $2.50 per minute, depending on the provider. For example, standard pay-per-minute rates are typically around $0.49/min with Verizon, $0.25–$0.99/min with AT&T, and $0.20–$0.50/min with T-Mobile.

These costs can be significantly reduced by activating an international calling plan. Many carriers offer monthly add-ons ranging from $10 to $15 per month, which lower per-minute rates to approximately $0.10–$0.25 per minute for calls to Vietnam. This option is more suitable for users who make frequent international calls but prefer using their regular phone service.

International calling cards usually require an upfront purchase ranging from $5 to $20, depending on the provider and included balance. Once activated, these cards typically offer calls to Vietnam at around $0.05 to $0.08 per minute, which is significantly lower than standard carrier rates.

Most VoIP services like Google Voice require users to activate the monthly plan, usually starting at $10 to $25, or buy credits for calls, depending on the platform. After the activation, calls to Vietnam are typically charged at approximately $0.05 to $0.15 per minute, depending on the VoIP service providers.

These services rely on internet-based routing and often use virtual phone numbers instead of traditional phone lines, which lowers overall costs and results in cheaper international calling rates.

Calling Vietnam through internet-based messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and FaceTime is free, whether it's a voice or video call. However, both the caller and the receiver must have the same app installed and an active account with an internet connection to place the call successfully. While no calling fees apply, standard data usage charges may still apply if mobile data is used.

The best time to call Vietnam from the USA is between 3 PM and 5 AM (US time), depending on the various US time zones, usually reaching Vietnam during standard business hours (8 AM to 5 PM). This is because calls during US evenings or late nights align with Vietnam’s mornings and early afternoons. As a result, this helps you avoid late-night or early-morning disruptions in Vietnam while ensuring better availability.

Here are the best times in different time zones in the USA that correspond to 8 AM – 5 PM in Vietnam.

Note: Since the United States observes daylight saving time, while Vietnam does not, it’s best to double-check the local time before calling.

By using the proper exit code, country code, and phone number format, you can ensure that your call from the US to Vietnam connects successfully every time. Plus, choosing the correct calling method among direct dialing, using calling cards, VoIP services, or internet-based apps can also help you manage costs effectively.

Additionally, being mindful of the time difference between the USA and Vietnam plays a key role in reaching someone at the right moment. With the proper preparation and timing, staying connected with friends, family, or business contacts in Vietnam becomes simple, affordable, and hassle-free.