Vietnam area code – How to call from USA and Europe?

The General Formula and Vietnam area code

[Your Country’s Exit Code] + 84 + [Vietnamese Area Code (for landlines) or Mobile Network Code (for mobiles) – without the leading 0] + [Local Number]

Calling Vietnam from Europe

Most European countries use 00 as their international exit code.

• Exit Code: 00
• Vietnam area code: 84
• Vietnamese Number:
  • For landlines: Dial the area code (e.g., 28 for Ho Chi Minh City, 24 for Hanoi, 236 for Da Nang). You omit the leading ‘0’ that’s used for domestic calls within Vietnam.
    • Example (Ho Chi Minh City landline): 00 84 28 XXXX XXXX
    • Example (Hanoi landline): 00 84 24 XXXX XXXX
  • For mobile phones: Dial the mobile network code (e.g., 90, 91, 98, 3x, 5x, 7x, 8x). You omit the leading ‘0’ that’s used for domestic calls within Vietnam.
    • Example (Mobile number): 00 84 9X XXXX XXXX (where 9X is the mobile network code)

In summary (from most of Europe):

00 + 84 + [Area Code or Mobile Network Code (without leading 0)] + [Local Number]

On a mobile phone, you can always use the ‘+’ sign as a universal international access code:

+84 + [Area Code or Mobile Network Code (without leading 0)] + [Local Number]

Calling Vietnam from America (USA & Canada)

The USA and Canada both use 011 as their international exit code.

• Exit Code: 011
• Vietnam area code: 84
• Vietnamese Number:
  • For landlines: Dial the area code (e.g., 28 for Ho Chi Minh City, 24 for Hanoi, 236 for Da Nang). You omit the leading ‘0’ that’s used for domestic calls within Vietnam.
    • Example (Ho Chi Minh City landline): 011 84 28 XXXX XXXX
    • Example (Hanoi landline): 011 84 24 XXXX XXXX
  • For mobile phones: Dial the mobile network code (e.g., 90, 91, 98, 3x, 5x, 7x, 8x). You omit the leading ‘0’ that’s used for domestic calls within Vietnam.Example (Mobile number): 011 84 9X XXXX XXXX (where 9X is the mobile network code)

In summary (from USA & Canada):

011 + 84 + [Area Code or Mobile Network Code (without leading 0)] + [Local Number]

On a mobile phone, you can always use the ‘+’ sign as a universal international access code:

+84 + [Area Code or Mobile Network Code (without leading 0)] + [Local Number]

Important Notes:

• Omitting the Leading ‘0’: This is crucial. Vietnamese phone numbers, when written for domestic use, often start with a ‘0’ before the area code or mobile network code (e.g., 028 for HCMC landline, 090 for a Mobifone mobile). You must drop this ‘0’ when dialing from internationally.
• Updated Area Codes: Vietnam completed a re-forestation of its landline area codes between 2017-2018. The new Vietnam area code are typically two or three digits and usually start with ‘2’. Always use these updated codes.
  • Ho Chi Minh City: 28
  • Hanoi: 24
  • Da Nang: 236
  • Hai Phong: 225
  • Can Tho: 292
  • Hue: 234
• Mobile Numbers: Vietnamese mobile numbers are generally 10 digits long (including the leading ‘0’ for domestic calls). When calling internationally, you will dial +84 followed by the 9 remaining digits (dropping the initial ‘0’). For example, if the domestic number is 090 123 4567, you dial +84 90 123 4567.
• Time Difference: Be aware of the time difference to avoid calling at inconvenient hours. Vietnam is UTC+7.

See also: Introducing name in Vietnamese – Learn to say “Xin chao”

Core conditions for international dialing

To call Vietnam from virtually any origin in the world, you need to understand three core components of international dialing:

1. Your Country’s International Exit Code (or IDD – International Direct Dialing Code): This prefix tells your phone provider that you’re making a call outside your country. It varies from country to country.
2. Vietnam area code: This directs your call to Vietnam. For Vietnam, it is always +84.
3. The Vietnamese Phone Number (without the domestic ‘0’ prefix): This is the specific landline or mobile number you want to reach, formatted correctly for international calls.

Here are the conditions and general steps:

1. Know Your Country’s International Exit Code

This is the first set of digits you dial.

• Most Common:
  • 00: Used by most countries in Europe, Asia (e.g., China, India, Pakistan), Africa, and South America.
  • 011: Used by the USA, Canada, and many Caribbean countries.
  • Other specific codes: Some countries have unique codes (e.g., Australia uses 0011, Japan uses 010). If you’re unsure, a quick Google search for “[Your Country] international exit code” will confirm it.
• Mobile Phone Universal Option: On most mobile phones, you can simply use the ‘+’ symbol in place of your country’s international exit code. You usually achieve this by holding down the ‘0’ key. This is often the easiest and most reliable method as it automatically uses the correct exit code for your location.

2. Know Vietnam area code

• This is constant: 84. You dial this immediately after your exit code.

3. Understand Vietnamese Phone Number Formatting for International Calls

This is where common mistakes happen.

• Omit the Leading ‘0’: Vietnamese domestic phone numbers (both landline and mobile) often begin with a ‘0’. When calling from outside Vietnam, you MUST drop this leading ‘0’.
  • Example: If a Vietnamese mobile number is listed as 090 123 4567, you will dial +84 90 123 4567 (or [Your Exit Code] 84 90 123 4567).
  • Example: If a Ho Chi Minh City landline is listed as 028 XXXX XXXX, you will dial +84 28 XXXX XXXX.
• Landline Area Codes: Vietnam underwent a major re-forestation of its landline area codes in 2017-2018. They are now typically two or three digits and usually start with a ‘2’. Ensure you have the updated area code for the specific city or province you are calling.
  • Ho Chi Minh City: 28
  • Hanoi: 24
  • Da Nang: 236
  • (Many others exist for different provinces).
• Mobile Network Codes: These are the first few digits after the dropped ‘0’ for mobile numbers (e.g., 90, 91, 98, 3x, 5x, 7x, 8x). You include these as part of the subscriber number after the +84.

The Full Dialing Sequence:

[Your Country’s Exit Code] + 84 + [Vietnam area code / Mobile Network Code (without leading 0)] + [Remaining Local Number Digits]

OR (easier for mobile phones):

+84 + [Vietnam area code / Mobile Network Code (without leading 0)] + [Remaining Local Number Digits]

Other Important Considerations:

• Reliable Phone Number: Ensure you have the full, correct Vietnamese phone number. Double-check for any typos.
• Time Difference: Vietnam is UTC+7. Always calculate the time difference to avoid calling at inconvenient hours (e.g., in the middle of the night for the person you’re calling).
• Cost: International calls can be expensive depending on your phone plan. Consider using VoIP services (like Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, Zalo – a popular Vietnamese app) if you have an internet connection, as these are often much cheaper or free.
• Network Availability: Ensure your phone service provider supports international calls to Vietnam and that your account has sufficient credit or a suitable international calling plan.
• Caller ID: In Vietnam, displaying the originating number (caller ID) is generally mandatory, especially for marketing calls.