German time and the time difference between Germany and Vietnam

Time zones are an important factor that affects work, study and daily life. If you are concerned about the difference between German time and Vietnam time, knowing this information will help you arrange your schedule more reasonably. So what time zone is Germany in? What is the difference compared to Vietnam? Let's find out the details with SHD Academy in the article below to have the best preparation for the journey. Study study in Germany!

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How to determine the German time zone 

Germany uses the Central European Time zone (CET) with seasonal variations.

• Winter (from late October to late March): Germany applies Central European Time (CET – Central European Time, UTC+1), which is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
• Summer (from late March to late October): Germany switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), i.e. UTC+2, to make the most of daylight according to Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Germany's time zone was officially established in 1893, when the country officially decided to set its clocks one hour ahead of UTC. Previously, the clocks in Berlin were 53 minutes and 28 seconds behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). By 1916, Germany became one of the first countries to adopt daylight saving time (DST) to optimize energy use. 

Today, the CET time zone is not only used in Germany but is also popular in many European countries and some North African countries, helping to ensure time synchronization in the region.

>> Reference: List of German holidays that international students should know

Difference between summer time and winter time in Germany 

In Germany, the year is divided into two main periods: summer time (CEST) and winter time (CET). This change is intended to optimize the use of natural light, ensure energy efficiency and match people's lifestyles.

German Summer Time (CEST)

Summer time in Germany is also known as Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2), which starts on the last Sunday of March every year. At this time, the clocks will be adjusted forward by 1 hour, specifically from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM. 

This change helps to extend the daylight hours, creating favorable conditions for economic activities, living and working outdoors. Thanks to that, people can make the most of natural light, save electricity, and adapt to the warm weather of summer.

German Winter Time (CET)

When winter comes, Germany adopts Central European Time (CET) to adjust the time to suit the weather conditions. Winter time begins on the last Sunday of October every year. At this time, the clocks will be turned back 1 hour, from 4am to 3am. 

This change helps people adapt better to the shorter daylight hours in winter, while ensuring that their daily routines are not too disrupted. This adjustment also contributes to balancing work and rest time, helping to maintain people's productivity in the cold weather in Germany.

>> Reference: German Flag: Decoding Colors, Meanings and History

Time difference between Germany and Vietnam 

Due to being located in two different geographical areas, Germany and Vietnam have a significant time zone difference. Vietnam uses the UTC+7 time zone, while Germany applies the Central European Time zone (CET) with UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) in summer. This results in the time difference between the two countries changing depending on the time of year. Specifically, the time zones are divided as follows:

• Winter (late October to late March): German time 6 hours behind Vietnam time. The calculation formula will be: German time = Vietnam time – 6.
• Summer (late March to late October): When Germany switches to summer time, the difference is reduced to 5 hours (German time = Vietnam time – 5). 

Therefore, when calculating the time between two countries, you need to pay attention to this change to avoid confusion in work and life.

>> Reference: 

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Causes and effects of time zone differences 

Jet lag is a phenomenon that occurs when a person moves quickly across different time zones, disrupting the body's circadian rhythm. The main cause of this condition is the sudden change of the body clock - the mechanism that regulates activities such as sleep, heart rate and body temperature according to the day-night cycle. The body clock is adapted to a familiar living environment, but when people move between different time zones, the loss of synchronization between the actual time and the internal biological cycle will cause many negative effects.

One of the most obvious effects of jet lag is “Jet Lag”, which causes people to have sleep disorders, insomnia or poor sleep. In addition, they may experience symptoms such as persistent fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dizziness and even digestive disorders. The time zone change is especially serious when traveling from West to East because the change of day and night occurs more quickly, making it harder for the body to adapt than when traveling in the opposite direction.

>> Reference: 

• Tips for international students to get through winter in Germany
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How to deal with jet lag symptoms 

Sudden changes in time zones can affect the health and daily activities of international students. Below are some effective measures that SHD Academy would like to share to help international students adapt quickly to the new time zone:

1. Before flying

• Adjusting working hours: 1-2 weeks in advance, you should change your sleeping and eating time to the German time zone so your body can adapt first.
• Limit caffeine and heavy foods: Avoid drinking coffee and eating too much before the flight to avoid affecting your sleep.
• Consider using melatonin: Melatonin helps regulate sleep, helping the body adapt more quickly to time zone changes.

2. While flying

• Drink enough water: The body easily loses water at high altitudes, so you should drink at least 350ml of water every hour to stay hydrated.
• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates you more quickly, making you tired and making it harder for you to adapt.
• Reasonable rest: Try to get plenty of sleep on the plane to reduce the feeling of fatigue after landing. You can use an eye mask, earplugs, and a neck pillow to help you sleep better.
• Gentle exercise: Do leg stretches, neck rotation, and arm twisting to promote blood circulation and avoid numbness and fatigue caused by sitting for long periods of time.

3. After the flight

• Adjust to local time: If you arrive during the day, you should not sleep immediately, but instead take a walk or engage in light activities.
• Do exercise: A few simple movements in the morning and evening help the body quickly adapt to the new biological rhythm.
• Reasonable diet: You should eat a protein-rich breakfast and avoid foods high in starch and sugar to maintain stable energy.

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Above is detailed information about the zone. German time and how to adapt to the time zone difference when traveling from Vietnam. Hopefully, these shares will help you have the best preparation, ensuring your health and spirit are ready for the upcoming vocational study abroad journey. If you are interested in vocational study abroad in Germany, don't forget to follow the section News belong to SHD Academy to update useful information or contact directly via hotline (+84) 336 760 276 to get your questions answered quickly!