How to charge your iPad Mini from a power outlet in Vietnam

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad Mini with a Vietnamese power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB charger, powering the iPad Mini using a 3 pinned Type G power plug and powering the iPad Mini using a 2 pinned Type C power charger

Vietnamese power outlet

If organizing a holiday it can be useful to know if you'll be able to use your vital electronics that you are bringing along with you. By not knowing which wall socket to expect you may end up either over packing with too many spare adaptors or pack the wrong charger, therefore having to borrow a potentially overpriced adaptor when you arrive. Differing standards and plugs can often lead to confusion when planning on staying in a new country to the first time traveller. This page has been written to prevent you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini when you are visiting abroad.When you're travelling to Vietnam this page contains instructions showing powering your iPad Mini using the standard types G, A or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, you will find most Vietnamese will normally use Type G sockets in their wall outlets. If travelling to Vietnam from a different region check your iPad Mini can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check that the iPad Mini is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from being damaged during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Vietnam

Can you use the iPad Mini in Vietnam?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in Vietnam by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini in Vietnam?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini the best travel charger for Vietnam to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Vietnamese use three different standards of wall outlets (G, A and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A, C and G. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the heads over. If your model of iPad Mini is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters plus compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters or using up additional power outlets. Only packing a single international USB travel charger will also keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their versatility these types of power chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional power outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of versatile travel charger at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Vietnam

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Vietnam and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power converter for travellers originating from America going to Vietnam.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Vietnam. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini in Vietnam?

How to use a Type G power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet

Using the Apple Lightning cable with a Type G power adapter to charge the iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet you will need a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the USB cable is usually already included with your device.
  2. Begin by taking the Type G USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the power outlet. This power outlet, technically known as a Type G power outlet [3], looks like 3 holes containing plastic shutters in a triangle shape for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Vietnamese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is charging, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type G power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad Mini with a Vietnamese power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini from the Vietnamese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with the device).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Vietnamese power outlet. This unearthed wall supply (sometimes called a Type A power outlet [6]) is recognised by the two adjacent slots.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple Lightning charging cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Vietnamese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which typically takes between 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with a Vietnamese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a Lightning cable with a Type C USB adapter to charge the iPad Mini from a Vietnamese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini using the Vietnamese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with the device).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Vietnamese power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by the 2 adjacent holes where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Apple Lightning charging cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Vietnamese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which should take between 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Vietnamese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Vietnam
  2. Apple - official iPad 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 Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  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..