Moving to a new house or apartment in Vietnam can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. One of the essential tasks during the relocation process is setting up your internet connection. Although you can get data on your phone and there are a million and one places with free Wi-Fi, it really is essential to have your own connection as so many things in Vietnam rely on the internet – from transport to food ordering to bill paying. In this article, we will guide you through the process of organizing the Internet for your apartment in Vietnam, ensuring a seamless online experience.
Research the various Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
The first step in organizing the internet for your home is to research the available ISPs in your area which vary from place to play within Vietnam. Popular Internet Service Providers include Viettel, FPT Telecom, and VNPT which all have their own packages and special offers. A common aspect is to have a line that also offers a television link – with there being further offers if you buy both at the same time rather than separately.
The price of internet is pretty reasonable in Vietnam – all of the providers are pretty similar, so you are really looking to see if there is a current special offer (Vietnam loves to have special offers and they usually offer substantial discounts!) Failing a special offer, then simply ask your colleagues which service they use – you will usually find that there is a popular ISP for that particular area with more shops – which is recommended – as that means that if something breaks and it goes wrong if there are more shops and thus people to fix things, the problem should be rapidly solved.
Schedule Installation
After selecting your internet plan, contact the chosen Internet Service Provider to schedule an installation appointment – be ready to deal with people who only speak Vietnamese (or have limited English) with Google translate etc instead of simply assuming they will speak English – although you may be pleasantly surprised it is best to be ready and assume that it will take longer than you think. When you make contact, you will need to give them your specific apartment address – so although you know the first part you also need to know the district so be sure to check on what that is so that you are able to give the details.
Internet Service Providers in Vietnam generally have prompt installation services, and appointments can typically be scheduled within a few days – they work evenings as well as weekends (both Saturday and Sunday ) so it is relatively easy to make an appointment to suit. Note that they will not typically come exactly on time – so allow enough time in your schedule for at least half an hours delay between expected and real arrival time (i.e. don’t try and squeeze the installation into your one hour lunchbreak ! )
Before they come, prepare for the installation by ensuring that power outlets and necessary connections are easily accessible.
Prepare Required Documentation
Before the installation date, make sure of what you need with the Internet Service Provider. Usually there is the need to show identification – such as a passport or resident card, along with proof of address – this is hard in Vietnam since there are not the regular utility bills sent over etc – so you can show you house / apartment lease agreement. If you don’t have the originals e.g. because you are in the process of getting a residents card etc then a photo on your phone / computer is also fine.
Set Up Wi-Fi Network and Connection
It does not take long for the installation – typically thirty minutes at most. You will find that typically a modem or router will be installed and it is quite straightforward to connect. Having said that, it is important to make sure that everything works while the Internet Service Provider is there in case of any difficulties. Make sure that you are aware of which of the networks is yours (vital if you live in an apartment and there will be numerous other networks) and that your password works on all of the devices.
In addition, make sure that the Wi-Fi signal covers your entire house / apartment adequately – if you are living in a typical Vietnamese house (which is tall and thin ) then you may find that if the router is installed on the ground floor the internet is too patchy on the top floor and thus you need a booster higher up.
Internet difficulties
Note that at times the internet can be quite poor – this may last for a day or two – you will know that it is not just your internet when everyone is talking about it. There is nothing you can do about it –the reasoning behind it is typically given that sharks have eaten through the wires in the sea!
However, there may be times when it is just your internet that has a problem – most Internet Service Providers in Vietnam offer twenty four hour customer support – this is usually online chat ( although this is not much use if your internet is off ! ) or phone support – however please note that the chances of the phone support speaking English is very small – so if going for this option your best bet is to get a Vietnamese speaker to assist you.
Organizing internet for your house or apartment in Vietnam is a vital task, however it can seem an overwhelming thing to organise. Simply follow these basic steps- researching your options, choosing the right plan and checking the installation, and soon you will have a fast and efficient internet service!
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