How to charge the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to Vietnam

A step by step guide showing how to charge your iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet using a USB 30-pin Apple connector and a 2 pinned Type C power charger, how to charge the iPhone 3GS using a three pinned Type G USB charger and how to recharge the iPhone 3GS using a 2 pinned Type A power plug

Vietnamese power outlet

Varying different combinations of standards and voltages can often lead to confusion when planning on staying in a foreign country for the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to assist visitors wanting to charge the iPhone 3GS when visiting abroad.This page contains a guide showing what you'll need to power the iPhone 3GS when going to Vietnam by using the G, A or C type Vietnamese 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets, a majority of Vietnamese will typically use the Type G sockets in their plug outlets. If travelling to Vietnam from another country check your iPhone 3GS can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v ensure the device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Vietnam

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Vietnam?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 3GS in Vietnam.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in Vietnam?

If you are travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for Vietnam is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Vietnamese use three different standards of wall outlets (G, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A, C and G. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the plugs over. If your model of iPhone 3GS is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of power chargers, along with additional support for certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers for your trip. By only bringing a single USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone 3GS at the airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling on a regular basis we recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Vietnam

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies. These travel adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America visiting Vietnam using 3 pin type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Vietnam. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in Vietnam?

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Using a 30 pin Apple cable with a Type G USB adapter to charge your iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 3GS from the Vietnamese power outlet you will need a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will usually supply the USB cable when you purchase your iPhone 3GS.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type G USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. This plug outlet (sometimes known as the Type G power outlet [3]) can be identified by three slots containing plastic shutters in a triangle shape.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Vietnamese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which should take between 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet

A step by step guide showing you how to charge your iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet using a 30 pin connector and a 3 pinned Type A power charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally supplied with the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Firstly insert the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Vietnamese power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by the 2 thin adjacent slots next to each other where the pins go.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Vietnamese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 3GS will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes between one to four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a 30 pin Apple cable with a Type C power adapter to charge the iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 3GS from the Vietnamese power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will usually supply the USB cable when you purchase your iPhone 3GS.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by 2 circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Vietnamese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Vietnamese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about Vietnam
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  7. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  10. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..