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Discover everything you need to know about Vietnam SIM cards for tourists in this comprehensive guide. From choosing between a physical SIM and eSIM to understanding data plans and coverage, this article provides essential insights to stay connected while traveling.
A Vietnam tourist SIM card is your gateway to hassle-free communication and connectivity throughout your trip. To get the most out of it, it’s important to understand the nuances of local communication. This guide provides essential tips on dialing codes, managing data usage, and maximizing available plans to enhance your Vietnam travel experience.
When you arrive in Vietnam, securing a local SIM card ensures reliable and affordable communication. This allows travellers to easily contact local services, navigate unfamiliar areas and stay in touch with fellow travellers or friends. In addition to calls and texts, a Vietnam SIM card provides access to mobile data, perfect for using maps, researching attractions and sharing travel moments on social media.
One of the main benefits of a Vietnam SIM card for tourists is cost-effectiveness. Local SIM cards offer more affordable rates for calls and texts compared to international roaming. By choosing a Vietnam SIM card, tourists can avoid high international roaming charges, allowing them to allocate their travel budget more effectively and enjoy more activities without worrying about communication costs.
With access to mobile data, travelers can easily use navigation apps to get directions, identify points of interest, and plan routes. This is extremely useful when exploring new cities, navigating complex streets, or finding specific destinations. Additionally, travelers can access ride-sharing apps like Grab for reliable and affordable transportation. A local SIM ensures seamless communication with drivers, allowing travelers to confirm pickup locations, receive updates, and make electronic payments.
Integrating mobile data into navigation and transportation simplifies the travel experience, helping travelers make informed decisions while on the go. This convenience increases the overall efficiency of exploring Vietnam, allowing travelers to focus on enjoying the trip rather than worrying about logistics.
Absolutely! While you can access free Wi-Fi at hotels, restaurants, and cafes, staying connected on the go can be a challenge. Public Wi-Fi in parks or tourist spots often has weak signals. To ensure seamless connectivity throughout your trip, purchasing a Vietnam SIM card is highly recommended.
Viettel is the top choice for SIM cards in Vietnam, offering the largest network and best coverage. If Viettel is not available, Vinaphone is a reliable alternative.
You can buy a Vietnam SIM card online as an eSIM or in physical stores. Airports and mobile carrier stores are the best places to buy a SIM card when you arrive.
Costs vary by type and data plan. An eSIM costs between $9 and $15. A physical SIM card costs around 50,000 VND (~$2.50), with data plans costing between 150,000 – 300,000 VND (~$6.50-$15).
When travelling to Vietnam, staying connected is essential, whether to reassure loved ones back home or to share stunning photos with friends. Luckily, Vietnam boasts excellent connectivity, with free Wi-Fi available in most places.
Vietnam offers widespread mobile phone calling and internet coverage. Internet connections are available in hotels, motels and restaurants, with good 3G/4G mobile internet from carriers such as Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone.
International calls from Vietnam can be expensive, especially to countries like the Netherlands. To stay in touch, it's best to use apps like Skype or WhatsApp, which only require an internet connection—available at hotels and restaurants.
Internet and Wi-Fi are widely available throughout Vietnam. About 98% of hotels and hostels offer free Wi-Fi, except in remote areas such as national parks. Many cafes and restaurants also offer Wi-Fi, although streaming speeds can vary.
Staying connected while traveling in Vietnam is easy with a variety of prepaid SIM card data plans offered by local mobile carriers. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do with each plan:
Viettel, owned by the Ministry of National Defense, is the leading mobile network operator in Vietnam, with approximately 40% market share. Known for its exceptional coverage, especially in remote areas, Viettel is a top choice for travelers who want to explore rural Vietnam. With the rollout of 4G/LTE in major cities in early 2017, Viettel continues to expand its network nationwide.
Viettel SIM cards are easily available at airports and many retailers throughout the city. Refillable cards are widely available in small shops and on the sidewalks. Even if there is a language barrier, store staff are usually happy to help you top up your account. For the best service, go to a Viettel store in a larger city, where staff may speak some English and offer services such as cutting SIM cards to nano size. SIM cards typically cost between 50,000 and 60,000 VND, depending on the amount of credit.
To check your credit, dial *101# for main account and *102# for bonus account. To deposit, enter100<coupon PIN>#. Look for the Viettel logo to buy credits in town. Note that Viettel often sends promotional messages.
For customer service, call 191 and switch to English by pressing 3, then 2.
To access 4G/LTE, please purchase a new 4G SIM card. Old 3G SIM cards can be exchanged for free at Viettel stores until June 2017.
Viettel offers competitive data speeds, with 3G at 21.2/5.76 Mbps and 4G/LTE slightly faster. Activate data by texting "3G" to 161. The default out-of-bundle rate is VND75,000 for 50 KB.
Vinaphone, the second largest mobile network operator in Vietnam, with a 30% market share, offers excellent coverage and speeds nationwide. Since launching 4G/LTE on Phu Quoc Island in 2016, Vinaphone has expanded its high-speed network nationwide, becoming the top choice for travelers.
Vinaphone SIM cards are widely sold at stores and street stalls bearing the company's logo. For around 50,000 VND (~US$2.50), you can top up from 5,000 VND to 500,000 VND, extending the SIM card's validity from 1 to 215 days. To top up, enter100<PIN code>#. Check your credit status with *101# and validity with *102#.
Travel SIM cards are available at Vietnam's international airports and major Vinaphone stores. For convenience, you can also buy Vinaphone's prepaid eSIM data plans online, avoiding the need to go to a store or wait for delivery.
MobiFone, the third largest mobile service provider in Vietnam, holds an 18% market share and is currently in the process of being privatized. While it offers good speeds and coverage in urban and coastal areas, coverage can be patchy in mountainous areas. Since 2016, MobiFone users have been able to roam on the VinaPhone network, improving connectivity across the country. MobiFone has launched 4G services in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City on the 1800 and 2600 MHz bands.
MobiFone SIM cards are widely sold at shops and street stalls with the MobiFone logo, priced at 50,000 VND. There are various starter packages, such as MobiCard. To buy a 4G SIM card, go to official MobiFone stores in Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City with your passport. Top-up vouchers range from 5,000 VND to 500,000 VND, extending the SIM's validity from 1 to 215 days. Check your credit balance by dialing *101#.
If you choose eSIM, you will receive instructions on how to set up and use it. For a physical SIM card, just ask the salesperson to insert it into your phone and help you choose a 4G plan. If you need a Nano-SIM, they can resize it for you. No activation code is required and your SIM card is ready to use right away.
You have two options to buy a Vietnam travel SIM card:
Traveling to Vietnam and need seamless connectivity? Choose a Vietnam eSIM Card with a prepaid data plan. This modern solution offers many benefits:
Before purchasing, make sure your device is eSIM compatible.
eSIM, or Embedded Subscriber Identity Module, is a digital SIM embedded in your phone. Unlike a traditional SIM card, you can't physically handle it. Instead, you download an eSIM profile to join a cellular network. You can store multiple profiles, but only one can be active at a time.
Advantages of data eSIM:
After payment, your eSIM QR code will be emailed to you within minutes. Simply scan the code to activate. Note: eSIM purchases are non-refundable.
Yes, activating a Vietnam eSIM data plan will not affect your WhatsApp number, contacts or chats.
Yes, enable data roaming to ensure optimal coverage with your Vietnam eSIM. There will be no additional charges if your eSIM is set up properly.
Contact your network provider's 24/7 customer support to request a code to be resent to your email.
When your data or usage expires, your eSIM will stop working. Get a new eSIM if you need more data.
Currently, you cannot extend data on a Vietnam eSIM. You will need to purchase a new eSIM if you need more data.
Yes, all our Vietnam data plans allow you to share your hotspot with other devices.
Set up your eSIM before you leave. Activate your data plan and turn on data roaming when you arrive. We recommend printing out the QR code for convenience.
Your eSIM can only be activated on one device. Once deleted, it cannot be reused or scanned on another device.
Yes, eSIM works across Vietnam, even in remote areas like Ha Long Bay, allowing you to share online experiences seamlessly.
You can make calls via internet apps like WhatsApp or social media platforms. Traditional calls using your main phone number may incur additional charges.
Configure your APN settings as follows:
You can set up multiple eSIM profiles, but only use one at a time. Switch active eSIMs in your settings.
Vietnam's mobile network is widespread and affordable by international standards. The country uses GSM 900/1800, which is compatible with most Asian, European and Australian countries. Local SIM cards are recommended for tourists, which offer cheap calling and data packages. Text messages cost between 500d and 2500d, and calls cost between 3000d and 6000d per minute. 3G data packages start at 50,000d for 1GB. Major providers include Mobifone and Viettel, which are known for their wide coverage.
Vietnam offers two types of tourist SIM cards:
Item
| Vietnam Travel SIM – Physical
| Vietnam Travel SIM - eSIM
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Similarities
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| |
Form
| A SIM card is a chip that is physically inserted or removed inside your phone according to your carrier's plan.
| eSIM (embedded sim) is built into your phone and downloads to your carrier's plan.
|
Where to buy
| Received at physical store | Online |
Advantage
|
|
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Disadvantages
|
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Although SIM cards are available at convenience stores and airports, they may not be properly registered. For reliable connectivity, purchase and register your SIM at an official carrier store, especially if you plan to stay in Vietnam for an extended period of time or travel to remote areas.
For most travelers, a 3GB or 5GB data plan is enough for casual internet use. If you plan to stay for a month or use the internet a lot, consider a 12GB plan. Business travelers may need even more data.
Tips:Make the most of your data by using free Wi-Fi whenever possible.
Vietnam offers three main SIM card providers: Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. While Vietnamobile is another option, its coverage outside of major cities is limited, so it is not recommended.
For the best coverage and speed, especially in rural areas, Viettel and Vinaphone are top choices for travelers.
To activate, send the code via SMS to 191. Packages automatically renew every 30 days if you have enough credit. To get more data, activate daily high-speed packages: 150 MB for VND 8,000 (MT1), 20 MB for VND 2,000 (MT2), 100 MB for VND 4,000 (MT3). Check your data balance by texting "KTTK" to 191.
International calls are limited to 25 countries. Overage data charges are VND 9.76 for 50 KB. Check account balance with *101# and remaining data with *102#.
Note:
Viettel travel SIM cards are mainly available at international airports and major Viettel stores. They do not include SMS messages.
Vinaphone's "Global Connection SIM" was launched in 2017, providing 8GB of data, 80 minutes of calls, 80 SMS messages and 50 minutes of international calls to select countries for VND300,000. Valid for 30 days, it is available at VinaPhone international stores in Hanoi and downtown Hanoi.
Note: "Unlimited" means 1GB per day at high speed, then drops to 3G speed.
Activate data by texting "GPRS ON" to 888. Default data rate outside the package is 1.5đ/KB. Daily packages include:
Weekly Package:
Monthly Package:
Soft-limited packages (speed is limited after over-usage):
Large package (cut down, need to add extras):
To activate, text "DK"<measurement><activation code> to 888. All packages auto-renew. To cancel, text "Huy"<space><activation code> to 888. Check your data balance by texting "data" to 888. All texts to 888 are free.
Activate data by texting "DATA ON" to 999. Default 3G speed is up to 7.2 Mbps, with data rates of 75đ for 50KB outside the package.
Daily Package:
Monthly Package:
Soft Pack (Reduce speed after overuse):
New Plan (Data Termination after Overuse):
Data Augmentation Tools:
Long term package:
To order, text "DK"<space><activation code> to 999. All packages are automatically renewed. Check data balance by texting "KT DATA" to 999. Each text to 999 costs 200 VND.
Travel SIM: "Happy Traveler"
MobiFone's "Happy Tourist" SIM costs 250,000 VND and offers 2 packages:
Data only package:
Call and data packages:
MobiFone Travel SIM Card:
MobiFone's travel SIM cards offer a convenient solution to stay in touch while exploring Vietnam, with options to suit your data and calling needs.
For those with an eSIM compatible device, purchasing an eSIM online is highly recommended. It eliminates the wait time for delivery and the need to go to the counter. Order your eSIM from anywhere and it will be installed on your phone via a QR code sent to your email. Activation will take place as soon as you land in Vietnam.
There are a number of places to buy a tourist SIM card in Vietnam, including airport kiosks, tour operators, local shops, and some hotels. However, it is best to buy your SIM card at the airport or from an official mobile network provider store.
The airport is the most convenient place to buy a SIM card upon arrival. You will find many kiosks selling SIM cards right after baggage claim. Advantages include:
SIM card prices are set by mobile carriers, so the cost will be consistent across kiosks. Expect to pay between VND150,000-350,000 ($6.50-$15) depending on your length of stay and data needs. Most kiosks accept credit cards, so you don’t need to go to an ATM first.
If you leave the airport without a SIM card, go to a branch of your mobile carrier. These are located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Look for their logo and enter the office. Remember to bring your passport to register.
Note:Avoid buying SIM cards from tour operators, street vendors or local shops to avoid high prices and registration issues.
Considerations:
Yes, major carriers such as Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone and Vietnamobile offer eSIM. Vietnam-visa offers competitive eSIM plans, including options with Vietnamese phone numbers.
Many modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops support eSIM. If your device is listed below and is unlocked, you're good to go!
Apple devices:iPhone XR, XS, series 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, iPad Pro, Air, Mini
Samsung devices:Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, Note 20, Fold, Z Fold, Watch
Google Phone:Pixel 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 series
Huawei Phones:P40, P50, Mate40
Other devices:Motorola Razr, Oppo Find X3, Microsoft Surface, Lenovo Yoga
Set up your eSIM profile before departure and activate it upon arrival in Vietnam. Follow these steps:
For iPhone:
For Android devices:
Note: Steps may vary by model and carrier. For assistance, contact customer support.
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