The time difference in one table
| From | Winter time | Summer time |
|---|---|---|
| France, Belgium, Switzerland | +6 h | +5 h |
| United Kingdom | +7 h | +6 h |
| Quebec, Ontario, New York (East Coast) | +12 h | +11 h |
| Chicago, Texas (Central) | +13 h | +12 h |
| Vancouver, Los Angeles (West Coast) | +15 h | +14 h |
Vietnam is always ahead. Example: when it is 8am in Paris in winter, it is 2pm in Hanoi; when it is 8pm in Montreal in winter, it is 8am the next day in Hanoi.
Clock changes: the weeks that catch people out
Europe goes back to winter time on 25 October 2026, but Canada and the US change a week later, on 1 November 2026. From 25 October to 1 November the Paris-Hanoi difference is already +6 h while New York-Hanoi is still +11 h. In spring, the US and Canada move to summer time before Europe (14 March 2027 against 28 March 2027): the same effect in reverse. Check the time on your phone the day before calls or flights.
How long to adjust
Jet lag is harder when flying east. From France, 5 to 6 hours of difference settle in a few days; from North America, allow longer. A few pointers:
- From boarding, set your watch to Hanoi time and sleep or stay awake according to the Vietnamese night.
- On arrival, stay awake until the evening, get daylight and avoid a nap longer than 30 minutes.
- Keep day one light: a walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake rather than a long excursion; see things to do in Hanoi.
- Drink water and go easy on alcohol and caffeine during the flight.
- For personal medical advice (melatonin, current treatment), ask your doctor.
Prepare your arrival
An eSIM spares you a search for a shop at the airport when you are most tired: see SIM and eSIM in Vietnam. Also check the e-visa, the power plugs and travel insurance. To choose the season, read the best time to visit Hanoi, and to plan the trip, the Vietnam itinerary.
