Vanuatu
Oceania · 17 specs
Direct Answer
Vanuatu (VU / VUT / 548) operates on a 230 V / 50 Hz electrical grid using Type I sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT) — the only sovereign Melanesian state that does, its neighbors (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands) all being left-hand traffic. The official currency is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV, VT), country calling code is +678 (exit code 00), emergency dispatch is 112, and paper standard is ISO 216 A4.
Source: Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) / UNELCO / ISO 3166-1 / Vanuatu Post · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Republic of Vanuatu ISO 3166-1 |
| Local Endonym | Ripablik blong Vanuatu (Bislama) |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | VU |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | VUT |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 548 UN M49 (Code 009) |
| Country Calling Code | +678 TRBR (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 dial prefix for international calls |
| Internet ccTLD | .vu Vanuatu Registry |
| Vehicle Registration Code | VU UNECE Standard |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Vanuatu Vatu (VUV, VT) No subunits (1 Vatu = lowest coin) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V, 50 Hz UNELCO / VUI |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type I (AS/NZS 3112 standard) 10 A / 230 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Franco-British condominium heritage |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) National standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 112 (Police: 22222, Ambulance: 115) Emergency Services |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+11 (VUT) No DST observed |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V, 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type I (AS/NZS 3112 standard). Uses Type I inverted V-prong sockets (compatible with Australian/New Zealand or Chinese/Argentine configurations).
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +678. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 112 (Police: 22222, Ambulance: 115). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV, VT).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+11 (VUT).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes Standard postal system.
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Republic of Vanuatu.