Calling Vietnam every day - there has to be a cheaper way!

Flying Ace on 28/10/2015 - 07:39
Last edited 28/10/2015 - 07:54

Hi guys,
I speak to my girlfriend in Vietnam at least twice a day, and I currently use Skype to do so from my iPhone. It's ending up costing me quite a bit because I just purchase Skype credit through my iTunes account at $7.99 each time. I'm finding I'm topping up every few days this way. I know there are cheaper ways to call overseas, but I'm just a little unsure about what they are. Any advice?
I'm a bit reticent to purchase Skype prepaid cards when they're 50% off as I've had issues with them not being accepted, so any other solutions? Doesn't have to be Skype!

Thanks :-)

Edit: I'm calling her mobile as she doesn't have 3G (or wifi) access most of the time.

Mobile

Comments

  • Davros on 28/10/2015 - 07:45
    -5

    iphone, iTunes
    Say no more.

    I use skype several times a week to speak to family and friends all over the globe.
    Costs me nothing, but I dont have an iPhone or an iTunes account

    • Flying Ace on 28/10/2015 - 07:52

      It doesn't make any difference, even if I go through the Skype website, credit still costs me that much. My girlfriend doesn't have 3G access for much of the time I call her, so I'm calling her mobile, not a Skype account.

    • ESEMCE on 28/10/2015 - 08:11

      You're making data calls, not calls through the phone system.

      • twister292 on 03/11/2015 - 04:32

        Edit: Removed comment, I misunderstood yours.

  • Davros on 28/10/2015 - 08:05
    +9

    Whenever I have been in Vietnam FREE wifi has been easy to find and those that are "secured" had passwords no more complex than the hotel name or 1234567 or guest.

    It may not be the solution you are looking for but it is a solution that takes very little effort.
    Of course if she lives away from the cities it will probably be different.

    • DrStinge on 28/10/2015 - 10:20
      +12

      Don't know why you were downvoted, this is a fair point. Vietnam has the most free unsecured wifi I've ever seen.

  • ESEMCE on 28/10/2015 - 08:13

    Prepaid Phone cards from a landline (Phone box if you don't have a landline)?
    or get yourself a VoIP account with good call rates to Vietnam.

    If iOS isn't capable of making VoIP calls, you can use a softphone from your computer or pick up a cheap Android handset (or just ask around your friends for an old handset).

  • DarkOz on 28/10/2015 - 08:25

    It depends on if it's a video call or just a voice call.

    There are plenty of cheap prepaid phone cards around that lets you voice call for hours for $10. If video call then I suppose you are paying for a very good reason! ;)

  • djones145 on 28/10/2015 - 08:28
    +6

    head to those Asian grocery stores and check out calling cards

    I think my parents use lycra, when they place a code in, they can call hong kong for free (just 20 cents a call flagfall)

    http://www.lycamobile.com.au/en/internationalrates

    Vietnam is 7 cent a min :(
    hong kong is free!

    • bs0 on 29/10/2015 - 05:45

      +1, parents use it too

    • Geez on 30/10/2015 - 01:12

      "lycra"

      hah hah funny..

  • Edsanwong on 28/10/2015 - 09:09
    +1

    Can use the old time method, calling cards as Djones145 suggested.

  • Randxyz123 on 28/10/2015 - 09:20

    Is there anyway you can get her to have 3G access? Maybe if you contribute a bit or something?

    • chill on 28/10/2015 - 09:29
      +25

      if you contribute a bit or something?

      Steady on. Just because she is his gf this is still ozb.

      • Baysew on 28/10/2015 - 09:57
        +3

        Just because she is his gf this is still ozb

        there has to be a cheaper way!

        The OZB way would be that she has to phone him.

        (Warning ! May have hidden cost. Watch for new post in Dating & Relationships)

        • Randxyz123 on 28/10/2015 - 10:28

          LOL.

          But seriously OP are you doing video or voice?

    • djones145 on 28/10/2015 - 09:41
      -1

      you could help Vietnam install NBN over there, go to alibaba and buy come cooper cables to install!

      • ndoan on 30/10/2015 - 00:32

        Fiber cable in Vietnam is very cheap, just A$12/month/unlimited (200k vnd).

  • moo on 28/10/2015 - 10:17

    Any not use VoIP? Try Mynetfone.

  • strikerzebra on 28/10/2015 - 10:42
    +1

    Apparently TPG have something called an 88 bundle for $88 a month which includes unlimited adsl2+, home line rental, free modem and unlimited calls to 88 countries including vietnam, but it's a 24 month contract.

    Details here; http://www.tpg.com.au/products_services/home-phone-bundle/88…

    Telstra have some unlimited plan to which you can call vietnam; https://www.telstra.com.au/home-phone/international-calling

    • abacus on 29/10/2015 - 22:31

      Probably not free to mobiles.

  • timmeh15 on 28/10/2015 - 10:59
    +3

    You can try a VOIP app called Zipt - it's an Aussie based app that works like Skype but has cheaper call rates 7.19c for mobile vs Skype's 9.6c. Zipt's selling point is that it can make solid calls on 2G environments.

    http://zipt.com/call-rates

    • mickmick2891 on 30/10/2015 - 09:20

      Zipt is available both on Andriod and IOS.. and if you both have the app installed, then the calls are free

  • cupcake on 28/10/2015 - 11:37
    -7

    Send her an email.

    No need to choke her with two phone calls a day.

    Otherwise, chat on Viber when she has wifi.

    BTW, long distance relationships don't really work.

    • canleyheights on 28/10/2015 - 12:12
      +12

      Yes it will work. Once the distance isn't longer and she got her permanent visa, she'll dump you.

      • rodinthink on 30/10/2015 - 07:01

        AHA!
        Me love you loooong shortt timeee

    • Flying Ace on 28/10/2015 - 22:56
      +20

      Thanks so much for the life advice, stranger on the internet :-)

      • cupcake on 30/10/2015 - 13:18

        No worries. Always here to help :))

  • Flying Ace on 28/10/2015 - 13:18

    Thanks for the advice everyone! Yes it's mainly voice calls. I'll check out the options here :-)

  • piggyfund on 28/10/2015 - 15:23

    Depending on your mobile plan you may have quite a bit of included international calls minutes per month or it may be worth you switching. I get 300 mins I didn't even know I had or use. Maybe you can call her at different times when she does have access to viber, whatsapp etc

  • onetwothreefour on 28/10/2015 - 21:55
    +39

    I speak to my girlfriend in Vietnam at least twice a day

    Jeez, I don't even speak to my wife that often and we live together.

    • lakers1222 on 29/10/2015 - 09:22
      +1

      InsecureMuch

  • Chef-Johnson on 28/10/2015 - 22:51

    is anyone going to say it?

    • Flying Ace on 28/10/2015 - 22:56
      +6

      Whatever it is I'm sure I've probably heard it already, but thanks for your interest in helping me with my request.

  • eatwell365 on 28/10/2015 - 23:01

    Hi OP, check if your girlfriend has to pay to receive you call on mobile in Vietmam.
    If not, use Virgin Simple Plan prepaid for cheap international calls.
    $0.15 per min. 0 free flag to Viet.

    Though not the cheapest and not unlimited, but the beauty is "no string attached"- no contract.

  • Furious D on 28/10/2015 - 23:10

    I was calling the UK every day through skype, and found the following to work pretty well. You need to be on a mobile or landline plan that includes free calls to Australian landlines.

    Firstly, sign up to a skype subscription, based on how much you're likely to call a month:

    https://secure.skype.com/en/calling-rates?wt.mc_id=legacy

    Secondly, set up a skype to go number. This is an Australian number that you dial from your Australian mobile, that magically flies through skype on the internet to vietnam.

    http://www.skype.com/en/features/skype-to-go-number/

    Good luck!

  • ATangk on 28/10/2015 - 23:33
    +1

    Is her 3G access because of coverage issues or because she wont pay for it. Data is really cheap (relatively) so it would be better for her to buy data if this was the case…

    Once I was constantly talking to someone working aboard a cruise ship. She shelled out $40USD every 3-4 days. Not sustainable. A last alternative, although not the best solution, would be to end things.

  • srr on 29/10/2015 - 00:42

    https://www.voipkredi.com/page.php?page=betamax-dellmont

    2 eurocents landline and 3.5 mobile

    I used their service before, have no complains. They also have mobile apps or callback to the phone. Dellmont has many sites, they are like tariff plans.

  • daver on 29/10/2015 - 03:05

    Transfer pricing typically < % 98.7-%97.5 discount to idd legacy international rates

    Relevant code
    transfer*04xxxxxxxx*10 by 1258888 SMS Cm2u or m.telstra.com recharge
    ('between' a primary & secondary sims freedom Plus ACs)
    Cost effective though fiddly.

    India, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, France, Germany, Japan, Philippines, South Africa, Ireland

    $3.09 tier nations

    down to- 7c per minute effective.
    Vietnam 7c from GV (Google Voice) as well where 4G online preferred.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/10/2015 - 04:53
    +2

    Hi guys,
    I had this kind of problem once before (calling overseas for cheap) and after much research I found the hands down best solution that I should probably post it as it's own deal.

    It's called Keku. Basically they use a Smartphone app to select the Contact/phone number you want to call, then they call YOU back so you don't have to pay to make the call - so it is much better call quality than VOIP, and the rates are ridiculously cheap. The credits don't expire and no fees.

    I would highly recommend it.

    Vietnam is 6.5c per minute

  • Hahuh on 29/10/2015 - 06:55

    Clickncallnow

  • Last Seen on 29/10/2015 - 07:50

    I've been using keepcalling.com for quite some time & they seem pretty good.

    I actually signed up via this offshoot, though, to call NZ:
    https://ringnewzealand.com/rates?currency=AUD&destination=Vi…

    Call credit supposedly never expires. Top up via credit card.

  • snajper on 29/10/2015 - 07:56

    I use to use freecall. Install the app and off you go. They use to be much cheaper than skype

  • pinnacle on 29/10/2015 - 08:00

    Go for Skype Premium. Costs about $120 per year when you purchase through discounted Skype Cards. Unlimited calls to most of the countries though I am not sure Vietnam is one. You will need data on your phone/PC though..

  • ThadtheChad on 29/10/2015 - 09:01

    I used Lebara prepaid SIMs when calling overseas. Take a look: http://www.lebara.com.au/prepay/rates

  • ronnknee on 29/10/2015 - 11:15
    +5

    Get her to call you.

  • andyken on 29/10/2015 - 12:50

    use a phone card, such as this: http://www.cheapcard.com.au/gas-calling-card#call_rates 4c/min , so with $8, you can call up to 200minutes, (beware of connection fee)

  • KaTst3R on 29/10/2015 - 12:58

    Virgin mobile provides free international call time if you are on their plan. Have a look.

  • TQS on 29/10/2015 - 13:14
    +1

    Get her to get a VN Sim (Viettel) for 200000đ (approx. $12.50) with data & call credits that should last her for a month. Then you can Viber or Tango phone/video call her for free, providing that you have free wifi or unlimited data on ur mobile.

    • daver on 30/10/2015 - 20:54

      An idea yes, both parties invest in a substantive internet
      *Terrific 4G & 3G connections from a Huawei Y550, bought for the price of case of beer locally last Christmas. LTE incoming on Vietnamese net' 2016.

      And besides, nothing beats a true "presence" application now a days even (online, offline, in a meeting, etc.). The emotive flow of a video chat? Or just calling at any time 0c minute from simple cost divestment.

      A feature that is interesting of Hangouts is the 'last seen 32 minutes ago.' - So, in real-time, right away, each contact is discovering the other's pattern i.e availability to be better in touch.

  • ilikeradiohead on 29/10/2015 - 13:21

    Try an app called vyke. I used it when I was in the states and needed to call back but didn't want to chew through my Skype credit. I think it had flat fixed rates for most countries, something like 40c for the whole call.

  • asianbargain on 29/10/2015 - 14:50

    Same story here bro.. I find lyca mobile is cheap. I recharge $10 and I can get a lot of call and many hour . hope this help…

    LDR rule

  • murkywater on 29/10/2015 - 15:39

    4c USD per minute seems to be the cheapest you can get to Vietnam Mobile. You can try cosmovoip.com, justvoip.com, and others from: http://progx.ch/home-voip-prixbetamax-3-3-1.html

    I've used some cheap providers from there without an issue in the past.

  • ju2au on 29/10/2015 - 21:23

    Install Viber App on both mobile phones. As long as there is Internet, you can chat for free all day long.

  • centrelink on 29/10/2015 - 22:26

    WeChat is quite common for free calling too.. needs internet though

  • GameChanger on 30/10/2015 - 00:31

    Why don't you send her the money? Surely with the same amount she can call you for much longer?

    • GameChanger on 01/11/2015 - 20:36

      Hope you took this lads advice.

  • lgacb08 on 01/11/2015 - 15:18

    ask your gf if she use Zalo, if she does then your problem is solved, but then you'd have a much bigger problem ahead.

  • twister292 on 03/11/2015 - 03:32

    Here's my suggestion…

    Get the new Optus $60 SIM Only plan.

    For $60/month, you get 7GB data, unlimited calls within AU, and unlimited calls to 32 countries, Vietnam included. First 3 months are half price, so you'll be paying effectively $30/month for the first three months, then $60 a momth. If your destination is included in the IDD allowance, it's really good value.

    Here's the link:

    http://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobilephones/SimBYO

    It's a month-to-month plan, which means you can try it out, and if it doesn't suit you, leave whenever you like.

    Telstra has a plan which included unlimited IDD calls to anywhere in then world, but it costs an eye-watering $195/month (and is only available on a 24-month plan).

  • twister292 on 03/11/2015 - 04:34

    PS Also consider stocking up on Skype credit vouchers/cards when they go on special (which is from time to time at Coles/Target/KMart/OW/BigW etc)

  • thaeril on 03/11/2015 - 21:37

    If she has 3G coverage then have a look at the "soft cap" plans on this link (speed limited after reaching the data cap, no excess fees). Get her to use something like Viettel MiMax at 70k VND per month (about $4). She will probably get capped half way through the month but the data speeds after she's capped will still be good enough for skype/facebook/browsing/not youtube.

    You can activate it by sending an SMS message to some number. Just make sure she has over 70k credit on the 1st of each month and it will automatically deduct 70k from her sim. If not, she will have to reactivate it after getting credit.

    I use it mainly for voice calls and get better speeds/quality than shitty Vietnamese ADSL.

    Link here:
    http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Vietnam

    PS: If you're after voice quality, I've had good results with Facebook Messenger and Line. Whatsapp is ok. Tango, viber, skype and Google Hangouts are complete crap.

  • Xizor on 09/11/2015 - 22:17

    Checkout Vodafone sim only plans that include 90mins of international calls then $6 per 60 in blocks.

  • callvietnam on 04/04/2017 - 01:26

    If you need a Vietnam local number imports to your phone to make and receive phone calls, try Call Vietnam app (callvietnam.vn), we give you a Vietnam number that you can call your girlfriend and receive her call at local rates.

    Rate is $3.9 cent per 0.5 mins.

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