An update of cheap telecommunication alternatives for bros who call their bg/bx or business associates frequently from SIN to HCMC or even HN:
(1) Skype
It's free if both of you are calling each other via PC. If you're calling a VN number (land or mobile) from your PC, then the charges are SGD63.4 cents per minute.
(2) Pfingo
SGD20 cents per minute to call a VN number (land or mobile) from your PC.
SMS to VN is 10 cents per message.
(3) Pfingo Bounce
This service can facilitate call-back to your mobile. SGD14.5 cents per minute.
Can also call from web browser. Same rates.
So far, Pfingo & Pfingo Bounce quality is OK. I would say a 90% clarity and connectivity from my experience.
Yahoo! Voice
Call VN number (land or mobile) from your PC, USD9.9 cents per minute. PC to PC is free, like Skype.
But voice quality rather bad (intermittent mute, lag) and sometimes very hard to call VN for both paid and free calls.
Call-Back cards - CHAT-CHAT
Depending on resellers, from $8.00 (in Marine Parade Central) to $8.50 (most of the shops) for 90 minutes talk for $10 Value
However, there is a catch.... every call you make via callback, 1 extra minute will be deducted. So if you make short calls (esp. less than 2 mins or even 3 mins), then may not be that worth.
Good thing about CHAT-CHAT is that it is convenient, you can use the callback feature for your mobile to make call anywhere in SIN. Connectivity and clarity is OK but depending on network traffic. Sometimes hard to connect and not so clear. OK most of the time.
M1 Pre-paid
Free 021 calls to VN. Rates: 16 cents per min (Mon - Fri, 8am-8pm); 8 cents per min (Mon - Fri 8 pm to 8am, Sat & Sun whole day)
$48 topup can give you a $12 bonus. Assuming you call during the off-peak period which is at 8 cents per minute, then the effective rate will be SGD6.4 cents per minute.
This is one of the cheapest alternative BUT the disadvantage is calling during off-peak periods. Overall, coonectivity and clarity is OK. Again heavy network traffic can create havoc or else, the quality is OK. No complain so far.
** If you topup $40-$60, you get 3% bonus value and above $40, you get 6% bonus value. $100 and above gives you 8% bonus value. This means extra mins to call VN.
LocalPhone
Recently discovered this whilist browsing accidently on the web as I'm always looking for "cheaper" alternatives to call VN.
Rates: USD5.4 cents per minute (both line and mobile)
You register a VN number you want to call and they will give you a SIN number. You call that SIN number and it will automatically link to the VN number you call.
Have Calling Card capability, meaning you can call from any local phone as you will be given a local nuber, Account no. and PIN no.
Also can install softphone (like Pfingo, Skype) in ur PC so that you can still call VN at the same rate when you're overseas.
Tried this, so far connectivity and quality is good.... comparable to Pfingo.
You can find out more:
Cheap Calls to Vietnam From Only 5.4¢ with Localphone
There are of course many other alternatives in the market. These are the ones I used after discarding the others due to reliability issues (billing issue, quality, connectivity, drop calls, etc.).
Hope this review will help bros who need to keep in touch with VN frequently.
Cheers